The All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a swipe at opposition political parties after they failed to meet the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for submitting candidates for the 2027 general elections, describing the development as proof that they are not prepared to govern Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the ruling party confirmed that it successfully uploaded the names of all its presidential, vice-presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates before the initial deadline.
The APC noted that although INEC later extended the submission deadline from July 11 to July 14, 2026, following appeals from opposition parties, the extension exposed what it described as the opposition's inability to effectively manage its internal affairs.
"Our great party satisfied this requirement despite the large number of party candidates contesting on the party's platform for the various elective offices," the statement said.
The party argued that opposition parties, despite having fewer candidates to process, failed to meet the deadline, raising questions about their competence and readiness to lead the country.
"Political parties that cannot efficiently conclude their own internal nomination processes cannot possibly be trusted by Nigerians to possess the competence, discipline, or readiness to govern our great nation or its subnational governments," the APC stated.
The ruling party also accused the opposition of hypocrisy, recalling previous allegations that the APC influenced INEC's decisions.
According to the APC, the same opposition parties that had repeatedly accused it of controlling the electoral umpire later sought relief from INEC when they were unable to meet the submission deadline.
"It is starkly ironical that the same opposition parties have repeatedly peddled false, malicious and unfounded tales that the APC controls and dictates INEC's decisions. Yet, as they failed to meet the submission deadline, they shamelessly turned to the same INEC for respite and were granted an extension," the statement added.
The APC said its timely submission of candidates' particulars demonstrated the party's organisational strength, discipline and commitment to due process.
The party also urged its members and supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation, promote the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, and prepare for what it described as a vigorous issue-based campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.