Opposition Parties and the Burden of Self-Inflicted Disorder

By Okoi Obono-Obla

Opposition Parties and the Burden of Self-Inflicted Disorder

Surely, the failure of opposition political parties to upload the names, personal particulars, and other required documents to the INEC portal within the deadline prescribed by INEC in accordance with Section 29, Subsection 1 of the Electoral Act 2026—which expired on 10 July 2026 and necessitated an extension to 14 July 2026—has further exposed and accentuated their disorderliness, rudderless approach, and ill-preparedness towards the 2027 general elections. Ironically, they often turn around to vociferously blame INEC, the APC, and the President, with tongue in cheek.

Had it been the APC that failed to meet such an important deadline central to the general elections, and INEC had bent backwards to exercise its discretion, the opposition would have cried to the rooftops, alleging that INEC had become a tool under the thumb of the APC and the President.

This behaviour of the opposition further strengthens the saying: “Remove the log in your own eye before making hypocritical attempts to remove the speck in your neighbour’s.”

Conclusion: The opposition’s repeated lapses highlight a deeper crisis of organization and credibility. Until they confront their internal weaknesses, their criticisms of others will continue to ring hollow.