…….Tinubu Meets APC Governors, Demands Peaceful Conduct of Party Primaries
President Bola Tinubu has directed governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ensure the peaceful conduct of party primaries in their respective states.
The directive was given on Thursday evening during a closed-door meeting with APC governors at the State House, Abuja.
The delegation was led by Nigeria Governors’ Forum Chairman and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and Progressive Governors’ Forum Chairman and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma.
The meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes, centered on party cohesion and preparations for upcoming internal elections.
Speaking to State House correspondents afterwards, the governors confirmed that the President provided clear guidance on conducting credible and rancour-free primaries.
“We have received the President’s directive to spearhead peaceful, transparent primaries across our states,” one of the governors said.
The APC is expected to conduct primaries for various elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
NWC CHANGES DATES OF PRIMARIES
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced a major revision to its timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
Under the new arrangement, the party’s presidential primary, earlier fixed for May 15, will now be held on Saturday, May 23. Dates for other elective positions have also been adjusted.
The APC also declared that expression-of-interest and nomination forms for all elective positions are open to all party members.
APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, disclosed the changes to journalists on Thursday following the 186th NWC meeting at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
He said the adjustments were made to ensure compliance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended), the Electoral Act 2026, and revised guidelines issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“You will recall we published a timetable a few days ago, but this is the updated version. It has been properly communicated to INEC in line with the extant rules,” Meseko said.
Accompanied by the National Leader of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), Aare Tolu Bankole, Meseko announced that the sale of nomination forms will commence on Saturday, April 25, and end on May 2, 2026. Submission of completed forms is scheduled for May 4.
Screening of aspirants for all positions—from State Houses of Assembly to the Presidency—will take place between May 6 and May 9, with presidential aspirants screened on May 9. Results for all categories will be published on May 11.
The revised primary election schedule is as follows:
*House of Representatives – May 15
*Senate – May 18
*State House of Assembly – May 20
*Governorship – May 21
*Presidential – May 23
The party dismissed claims that nomination forms would be restricted, insisting they are available to all eligible members seeking elective positions.
“I am here to inform all party members and aspirants that expression of interest and nomination forms are open to everyone seeking offices under the APC,” Meseko said.
On the mode of primaries, he said the NWC approved both direct and consensus options, in line with the Electoral Act, stressing that consensus must be endorsed by all aspirants.
“Where consensus is not agreed by all aspirants, the process automatically reverts to direct primaries,” he explained.
The NWC also addressed party leadership matters in Zamfara State, announcing that ward, local government, and state congresses will commence on April 28, with ward congresses on April 30, and that the process will conclude on May 3, including appeals.
Meseko added that the party’s updated membership register, including new entrants, has been transmitted to INEC, declaring the APC ready for the forthcoming primaries
Sunshine Truth
