- APC Mocks Opposition, Says INEC’s Extension Exposes Unpreparedness For Polls
- Wike-Backed PDP Uploads Presidential, National Assembly Candidates To INEC Portal
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has bowed to pressure from political parties by extending the deadline for the submission of candidates for the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections by three days.
The electoral umpire announced on Sunday that political parties now have until midnight on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, to upload the names and personal particulars of their candidates, instead of the earlier deadline of Saturday, July 11.
INEC said the extension followed an appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), which requested more time on behalf of political parties that were unable to complete the online submission of their candidates within the stipulated period.
In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Kudu Haruna, on Sunday, the Commission said the decision was taken to ensure no political party was unfairly excluded from the process while remaining within the provisions of the law.
“The decision to extend was based on appeal by the Inter-Party Advisory Council, on behalf of political parties who were unable to upload the names and personal particulars of their candidates within the scheduled timeline,” the statement read.
According to INEC, the extension reflects its commitment to conducting an inclusive electoral process without compromising legal requirements.
The Commission urged all political parties to seize the opportunity to complete the submission process before the new deadline, warning that no further delays should be expected.
“The Commission enjoins political parties to take advantage of this window of opportunity and ensure that all necessary details are uploaded before the expiration of the new deadline,” Haruna added.
The extension comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general election, with several parties finalising their presidential and National Assembly tickets ahead of the commencement of campaigns.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised opposition political parties for failing to meet the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for the submission of candidates for the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections, describing the development as evidence of their lack of preparedness to govern.
In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the ruling party said it successfully uploaded the names of all its presidential, vice-presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates before the July 11 deadline.
The APC noted that INEC subsequently extended the deadline to July 14 following requests from opposition parties that failed to complete the nomination process on time.
According to the party, although INEC acted within its statutory powers by granting the extension, the opposition’s inability to meet the original deadline despite fielding fewer candidates than the APC exposed what it described as “chronic inherent weakness” and poor organisational capacity.
The ruling party argued that political parties unable to conclude their internal nomination processes efficiently could not convince Nigerians that they possessed the competence and discipline required to govern the country or its subnational governments.
The APC also accused opposition parties of hypocrisy, recalling their repeated allegations that the ruling party controlled INEC’s decisions.
“It is ironic that the same opposition parties that have consistently alleged that APC dictates INEC’s decisions turned to the electoral commission for relief after failing to meet the submission deadline and were granted an extension,” the statement said.
The party stressed that it had no reason to interfere with INEC’s decision since it had already fulfilled its obligations before the deadline, adding that the development further exposed what it called the opposition’s penchant for “fake news and blackmail.”
The APC said its timely submission of candidates reflected its organisational discipline, leadership and commitment to due process.
The party urged its leaders, members and supporters to shift attention to preparations for the 2027 general elections by strengthening party structures nationwide, intensifying grassroots mobilisation and promoting the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through what it described as an issue-based campaign.
Meanwhile, the Nyesom Wike-backed faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced the successful upload of the names of its presidential candidate, running mate and National Assembly candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Candidate Nomination Portal ahead of the 2027 general election.
The faction’s National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, describing the development as a major milestone in the party’s preparations for the polls.
According to Mohammed, the submission underscores the faction’s resolve to fully participate in the 2027 general election.
“I am pleased to inform all PDP members and Nigerians that our great party, under my leadership, has successfully uploaded the names of our presidential candidate, his running mate, and our National Assembly candidates onto the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal,” he said.
“This is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the promise we made that, under my leadership, the PDP will fully participate in the 2027 General Elections. Today, we have taken another decisive step towards fulfilling that promise.”
Mohammed said the party was now awaiting the completion of the upload of its governorship and State Houses of Assembly candidates to the electoral commission’s portal.
He congratulated party members on the successful completion of the latest phase of the nomination process, expressing confidence that the party would continue to make progress ahead of the 2027 elections.
The announcement comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general election following INEC’s timetable for the submission of candidates.
