…says Tinubu doesn’t need manipulation to win
…declares that performance not conspiracy will decide 2027 election
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State has slammed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over the coalition-backed party’s criticism of the revised 2026-2027 general election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement on Sunday in Akure by the Director of Media and Publicity for the party in Ondo State, Steve Otaloro, the APC described the revised election timetable as realistic, structured, and fair to all political parties ahead of the scheduled exercises.
The ruling party said the timetable demonstrates administrative foresight and institutional balance.
The coalition-backed ADC had rejected the INEC revised election timetable, describing it as a politically biased schedule allegedly designed to favour President Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, had argued on Friday that the new deadlines by the electoral body and compliance requirements under the Electoral Act 2026 create near-impossible hurdles for opposition parties seeking to field candidates.
Recall that on February 13, INEC initially scheduled the 2027 Presidential and National Assembly elections for February 20, 2027, while the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections were fixed for March 6, 2027.
However, the INEC’s schedule faced objections from Muslim stakeholders who noted that the dates coincided with the 2027 Ramadan period.
The concerns immediately prompted the National Assembly to amend Clause 28 of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, reducing the required election notice period from 360 to 300 days, allowing INEC to adjust the election dates.
Subsequently, INEC released a revised schedule on Thursday, signed by its Chairman, Joash Amupitan, moving the Presidential and National Assembly elections to January 16, 2027, and the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections to February 6, 2027.
Dissatisfied with the development, the opposition ADC said the requirement that political parties submit a comprehensive digital membership register by April 2, 2026, effectively bars opposition parties from participating.
Reacting, the APC particularly lauded INEC’s requirement for digital membership registers, calling it a progressive reform that would strengthen internal party democracy and reduce disputes arising from manipulated registers.
“The requirement for digital membership registers is a progressive reform. It enhances transparency, strengthens institutional discipline, and deepens internal democracy within political parties. By reducing disputes associated with manipulated registers, it ultimately reinforces the credibility of party primaries,” it said.
The party noted that the timelines were released well ahead of the 2027 election cycle, giving serious political parties ample time to comply with regulatory requirements, adding that it welcomes reforms that promote electoral integrity and accountability.
“Properly structured political organizations should not encounter difficulty maintaining updated membership databases or conducting orderly primaries. These are foundational responsibilities of any credible political party. The APC welcomes reforms that promote electoral integrity and accountability.”
The APC also faulted the ADC’s claims that the timetable was designed to favor President Tinubu and the ruling party.
It specifically described the allegation as speculative and lacking evidence.
According to the APC, the electoral body operates within constitutional limits and its decisions are administrative rather than partisan.
“INEC operates within clearly defined constitutional parameters. Its scheduling decisions are administrative and legal determinations-not partisan instruments. Politicizing procedural timelines only undermines public confidence in democratic institutions,” it added.
The party maintained that President Tinubu would not require institutional manipulation to win re-election, arguing that governance performance would ultimately determine voter choices.
It cited ongoing reforms in the financial system, energy sector, and infrastructure development as indicators that the administration is repositioning the country toward fiscal discipline and economic stability.
APC also highlighted macroeconomic restructuring, revenue optimisation, and energy sector recalibration
“Elections are determined by performance credibility, not conspiracy narratives. If Nigerians are to consolidate and permanently benefit from the gains of these reforms, policy continuity is essential. A second term will guarantee stability, deepen structural corrections, and allow reform cycles to mature fully,” it said.
The ruling party called on all political parties to respect INEC’s constitutional independence, comply fully with electoral regulations, strengthen internal democratic processes, and present policy alternatives rather than propagate unfounded allegations.
It, however, affirmed its confidence that a “transparent electoral process combined with governance performance” would decisively favour the APC in Ondo and across the country in 2027.
