Tinubu Tasks APC Governors to Ensure Peaceful Primaries
By Ekanem Asuquo
President Bola Tinubu has directed governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress to conduct free, fair, and rancour free primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The president gave the directive during a closed door meeting with APC governors at the State House in Abuja, stressing that credible primaries are essential to preserving the party’s unity and cohesion.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said the president charged the governors to strictly adhere to the Electoral Act while conducting the exercise.
He noted that the president also endorsed the option for states to adopt either consensus or direct primaries, in line with existing laws.
“We came to thank the president for his support to the governors and the party. He has given us clear directives on how to proceed,” AbdulRazaq said.
Similarly, Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago said the president reaffirmed his backing for the process and approved the timetable for the primaries.
According to him, the governors deliberated on strategies to ensure a transparent process that would strengthen the party after the primaries.
“We discussed how to move forward to ensure free and fair elections without rancour. The goal is to make the party stronger ahead of the general election,” Bago added.
No fewer than 18 governors attended the meeting, including Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum Hope Uzodimma, alongside governors from Gombe, Borno, Benue, Ekiti, and Enugu states, while some states were represented by their deputies.
Meanwhile, the APC has released a revised timetable for its primaries. The party fixed May 25 for the presidential primary, while the governorship primary is scheduled for May 23.
The party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Durosinmi Meseko, said the adjustment followed a meeting of the National Working Committee and has been communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission in compliance with electoral guidelines.
He disclosed that the sale of nomination forms will commence on April 25 and end on May 2, while submission of completed forms is fixed for May 4.
Screening of aspirants for various positions, including governorship and National Assembly seats, will hold from May 6 to May 8, while presidential aspirants will be screened on May 9.
According to Meseko, publication of screening results is scheduled for May 11, with appeals to be heard between May 12 and May 13.
He added that primaries for the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly will be conducted between May 18 and May 21, ahead of the governorship and presidential primaries.
The party expressed confidence that the revised schedule would ensure a smooth and credible process across all levels.
