Tackles ADC over favouritism claim in INEC timetable

Says electoral body’s revised schedule realistic, fair to all parties

Insists Nigerians will vote based on reforms, not ‘conspiracy narratives’

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Ondo State Chapter, at the weekend, dismissed allegations of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that the revised 2027 election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was designed to favour President Bola Tinubu.

While describing the claim of the opposition party as speculative, the ruling party emphasised that Tinubu does not require institutional manipulation to secure electoral victory in 2027.

According to the party, which spoke through its Director of Media and Publicity in the state, Steve Otaloro, governance performance remains the ultimate determinant in any democracy.

With the party expressing confidence in the new election timetable, it described it as realistic, structured, and fair to all political parties, adding that it reflects administrative foresight and institutional balance.

Otaloro maintained that the timelines were released well in advance of the 2027 election cycle, stressing that it provided sufficient opportunity and time for all serious political parties to comply with regulatory requirements.

“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.

“Properly structured political organisations 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.

“INEC operates within clearly defined constitutional parameters. Its scheduling decisions are administrative and legal determinations, not partisan instruments. Politicising procedural timelines only undermines public confidence in democratic institutions.

“The President’s record speaks for itself. The ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s financial architecture, energy sector, and infrastructural development are repositioning the country toward efficiency, fiscal discipline, and alignment with global best practices. Structural reforms aimed at long-term economic stability are already producing measurable outcomes across key sectors,” Otaloro stated.

The party further stressed factors such as optimisation of revenue under the present administration, energy sector recalibration, macroeconomic restructuring, and institutional reforms as substantive achievements that will influence the decision of voters.

“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.”