The All Progressives Congress (APC) has explained why it has yet to publicly release the final list of successful candidates from its recently concluded primaries, saying its immediate focus is meeting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for candidate nominations.
Speaking on the delay, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the party is currently concentrating on ensuring that all successful candidates complete and submit the necessary nomination forms required for upload to INEC’s portal ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to Morka, the party considers compliance with INEC’s nomination process more urgent than publishing the final candidates’ list at this stage.
“The priority of the party now is to have all our candidates fill and complete their INEC nomination forms and upload the same on the INEC platform,” Morka said.
He explained that all candidates who emerged from the party’s primaries have already received the required nomination documents and are expected to return the completed forms to the party for onward submission to INEC.
Morka noted that while the APC intends to eventually make the list public, the current focus remains on completing the documentation process and ensuring that all candidates meet the electoral commission’s requirements.
“Having a public release of the list is not our priority now. Though we shall share the list publicly, the priority right now is to ensure our candidates complete their forms and meet the INEC deadline,” he stated.
The APC spokesperson also revealed that the party received more than 700 petitions from aspirants who challenged the outcomes of the primaries across various constituencies.
According to him, the party thoroughly reviewed each petition, leading to adjustments in some contests where appeals were found to be valid.
Morka explained that while certain petitions resulted in corrections and the emergence of new candidates, others were dismissed after failing to meet the required criteria.
He added that the appeal and review process has now been concluded, describing the current candidates’ list as the APC’s final position.
The party is also relying on its internal dispute resolution mechanisms to address concerns raised by dissatisfied aspirants and prevent post-primary conflicts.
Morka expressed confidence that ongoing reconciliation efforts are producing positive results and helping to strengthen party unity ahead of the elections.
The development comes after INEC confirmed that it had issued access codes to nine political parties, including the APC, allowing them to upload the names of their candidates through the commission’s nomination portal for the 2027 general elections.
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