2027: APC races ahead, uploads candidates before deadline

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has completed the electronic upload of its candidates for all elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections, beating the original deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, disclosed this on Sunday, describing the development as evidence of the party’s organisational capacity, coordination and preparedness for the elections.

INEC had initially fixed Saturday, August 8, 2026, as the deadline for political parties to submit their candidates through its electronic portal. The commission subsequently extended the deadline by three days to Tuesday, August 11, following appeals from some parties that had yet to complete the process.

Yilwatda said the APC completed its submissions before the original deadline, covering candidates contesting positions from the State Houses of Assembly to the presidency.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, the APC chairman said the exercise involved the nomination, documentation, verification and electronic submission of thousands of candidates across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“The APC has once again demonstrated that we are prepared for the responsibility of governing Nigeria. We did not wait until the last minute.

“We planned ahead, coordinated our structures and ensured that our candidates were successfully uploaded before the expiration of the original deadline. This is what organisation, discipline and responsible political leadership mean,” he said.

Yilwatda said completing the exercise ahead of schedule was particularly significant given the size of the party’s nationwide structure, spanning senatorial districts, federal constituencies, local government areas and wards.

He said the process required coordination among the party’s national secretariat, state chapters, candidates and election management teams.

The APC chairman urged Nigerians to consider more than campaign promises when assessing political parties ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to him, internal organisation, compliance with electoral regulations and the ability to coordinate people and resources should also be considered when determining a party’s preparedness to govern.

“Governance is not an experiment. The management of a country as complex as Nigeria requires planning, coordination, discipline, competence and the ability to deliver within deadlines,” he said.

Yilwatda said the successful completion of the candidate-upload process would allow the party to concentrate on other aspects of its electoral preparations, including campaign coordination, candidate engagement, grassroots mobilisation, policy communication and reconciliation.

“The work has only begun. Completing the upload ahead of schedule gives us confidence, but it also places a greater responsibility on us. We must remain united, disciplined and focused,” he added.

He said the APC would take its message of “Renewed Hope” to communities across the country and seek to demonstrate its readiness to continue governing Nigeria.

The 2027 elections are expected to witness strong competition as opposition parties seek to challenge the APC’s control of the presidency and make gains at federal and state levels.

While the APC says it has completed its submissions, other political parties have until August 11 to conclude the electronic upload of their candidates following INEC’s extension.

Yilwatda commended the party’s National Working Committee, state leadership, candidates, election management teams and other officials involved in completing the process.

He described the exercise as a collective effort and said the party would continue strengthening its structures ahead of the 2027 elections.