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They can’t govern Nigeria – APC blasts opposition over missed INEC deadline

Published

3 weeks ago

July 12, 2026

Preport

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has criticized the failure of opposition political parties to meet the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, deadline for the submission of candidates for the 2027 general elections, saying it exposes their lack of preparedness to govern.

The party made the assertion in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, after confirming that the APC successfully met INEC’s deadline for the submission of its presidential and National Assembly candidates.

According to the APC, although INEC later extended the deadline from July 11 to July 14, 2026, at the request of opposition parties, the development highlighted what it described as the opposition’s inability to effectively manage its internal affairs.

The statement reads: “Our great party satisfied this requirement despite the large number of party candidates contesting on the party’s platform for the various elective offices.

“At the request of opposition political parties that had failed to meet the July 11 deadline, @inecnigeria granted an extension of the deadline to July 14, 2026.

“While INEC acted within its statutory powers and administrative discretion in extending the deadline for opposition parties to upload the names of their candidates, it is noteworthy that the extension was necessitated by the stark failure of opposition parties to manage their internal processes to comply with INEC’s submission deadline, despite having fewer candidates to manage compared to the APC.

“This development provides yet another clear indication of the opposition’s chronic inherent weakness and raises legitimate questions about their operational capacity. 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 party also accused opposition parties of hypocrisy, recalling their previous allegations that the ruling party influenced INEC’s decisions.

“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.

“And the same APC, which would have been the obvious beneficiary if INEC had stood firm on its original deadline, kept its distance, having met the deadline and completed its submission. Again, this underscores the opposition’s hypocrisy and true character as peddlers of fake news and merchants of blackmail.

“With the successful upload of the particulars of all its presidential, vice-presidential, Senate, and House of Representatives candidates on the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal, the APC has, again, demonstrated its leadership, superior organisational capacity, discipline, and solid commitment to due process.

“As we conclude this important phase of the electoral process, we call on all party leaders, stakeholders, members, and supporters to turn their full attention to the task ahead.

“We must remain focused and continue to strengthen our structures at all levels, increase awareness of the massive achievements under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, deepen grassroots mobilisation, and prepare for a vigorous, issue-based campaign that will earn our great party a renewed mandate in the 2027 general elections,” it added.

News

‘I’m not dead’ – Abia APC Senatorial candidate, Erondu cries out over alleged name substitution

Published

2 hours ago

August 1, 2026

Preport

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Abia South Senatorial District, Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jr., has rejected the alleged substitution of his name as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election, describing the purported action as unlawful and unconstitutional.

In a press statement personally signed on Saturday, Erondu said he is not dead and remains the duly nominated APC candidate for Abia South.

Erondu, who is currently a member of the Abia State House of Assembly representing Obingwa West Constituency, said the primary election conducted on May 16, 2026, across the 65 electoral wards in the six local government areas of Abia South Senatorial District returned him as the winner.

Erondu Jr. said his mandate was declared by the APC National Working Committee in the presence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Department of State Services (DSS). He added that he was issued a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the APC Abia South primary election results on June 30, 2026.

He expressed concern over reports that his name had been replaced with Paul Ikonne in violation of the Electoral Act, 2026.

Citing Section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2026, he explained that a political party can only substitute a candidate where the candidate dies, voluntarily withdraws through a personally signed written notice addressed to the party, or where a court of competent jurisdiction issues an order affecting the nomination.

“I am alive. I have not withdrawn my candidature. I have never signed or submitted any notice withdrawing my candidature to the All Progressives Congress,” Erondu Jr. declared.

Erondu therefore called on the APC National Working Committee and INEC to remain guided by the provisions of the Electoral Act.

The Abia State chapter of the APC had, on July 1, 2026, declared Erondu Uchenna Erondu as the party’s candidate to challenge the Labour Party’s senatorial candidate, Enyinnaya Abaribe.

News

Portable Reacts to Chaotic Boxing Rematch With Charles Okocha

Published

4 hours ago

August 1, 2026

Preport

Nigerian street-pop star Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has expressed regret over the controversial ending to his celebrity boxing rematc against actor Charles Okocha in Lagos.

The highly anticipated bout, billed as an opportunity to settle the rivalry between the two entertainers, ended prematurely after Portable walked away from the contest following a chaotic opening round.

The dramatic development left fans and spectators stunned, as the expected boxing showdown quickly descended into disorder, with tensions between the two fighters spilling beyond the normal boundaries of the contest.

In a statement issued by his management, Zeh Nation/Dr Zeh, the singer’s team apologised to the organisers, Balmoral Group, the event crew, fans, friends and family members who had turned out to support him.

The management acknowledged the disappointment caused by Portable’s decision to leave the fight after the opening round while appealing to the public to respect his decision and perspective.

“We understand the disappointment caused by the outcome of the fight and by Portable’s decision to step away after the first round,” the statement said.

The team also accepted responsibility for the disappointment generated by the incident and expressed appreciation to Portable’s supporters for their continued loyalty despite the controversy surrounding the bout.

Zeh Nation further commended Balmoral Group and everyone involved in organising the celebrity boxing event, while apologising for any inconvenience caused by the unexpected conclusion.

According to the management, the reaction to the incident has been noted, with the experience expected to serve as a learning opportunity for Portable and his team.

“We have taken note of the feedback, and we are committed to learning from this experience. We promise to come back stronger and do better next time,” the statement added.

Portable’s early departure brought an abrupt end to a rematch that had attracted considerable attention from both entertainment and sports fans in Lagos.

Rather than producing the decisive conclusion many had anticipated, the contest ended in controversy, leaving Charles Okocha and the event organisers to deal with the fallout from a chaotic night inside the ring.

The singer’s management concluded by thanking fans for their continued support, understanding and belief in Portable, despite the circumstances surrounding the bout.