APC primaries: Declared winners protest delay in issuing Certificates of Return

Winners of the recently concluded primary elections of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have expressed concern over the delay in receiving Certificates of Return.

They claim the delay may be part of a deliberate effort by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to alter the list of candidates before the 2027 general elections.

Investigations show that dissatisfied aspirants from various states and elective positions have accused the party leadership of creating uncertainty within the APC, even after primary election committees announced winners on May 15 and 23, 2026.

Some aspirants, speaking to DAILY POST under anonymity due to fears of retaliation, said the prolonged delay has increased suspicion among party members.

These concerns arise after remarks attributed to NWC members that the party leadership retains final authority to decide who ultimately becomes the party’s candidate.

According to them, such statements have heightened tension among candidates who worry that primary results could be overturned by administrative decisions at the national secretariat.

One declared winner said, “We participated in the primaries in good faith; results were announced by the duly constituted primary committees, and winners emerged. But weeks after the exercise, many of us are yet to receive our Certificates of Return.”

“What is more troubling is the statement by some NWC members that the party leadership reserves the right to determine who becomes a candidate irrespective of who was declared winner by the chairman of the primary election committee. That statement is dangerous and undemocratic.”

Another aspirant alleged that moves are underway to replace certain candidates who are not favored by influential figures within the party hierarchy.

The aspirants also noted that while many candidates have not yet received their certificates, President Bola Tinubu was already presented with his Certificate of Return after winning the APC presidential primary.

They argued that the prompt issuance of the President’s certificate starkly contrasts with the treatment of other victorious aspirants across the country.

“The President has already received his Certificate of Return, so why are others being delayed? The party should not create the impression that some candidates are more valid than others,” one of them stated.

When DAILY POST contacted the party’s spokesperson, Felix Morka, for comment, he neither confirmed nor denied the allegation.

“The party leadership has done nothing to warrant this question,” he told DAILY POST.

However, sources within the party leadership said the NWC is still reviewing primary reports and will make final decisions in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines.

APC stakeholders across the federation have warned the party leadership against any purported nullification of consensus and direct primary elections on the grounds of what they described as “premature announcement” of results in the states before transmission to the NWC.

In a memorandum addressed to the National Chairman and members of the NWC and signed by Barrister Abdullazeez Mamman on behalf of APC stakeholders nationwide, the group argued that the committees deployed to conduct the primaries acted as agents of the NWC under delegated authority.

“The ballot is not a proposal. The will of party members expressed through consensus and direct primary elections is not subject to nullification by administrative fiat,” it stated.

Meanwhile, DAILY POST reports that barely 24 hours after President Bola Tinubu clinched the ruling party’s presidential ticket with 10.9 million votes, he was presented with his Certificate of Return by the APC leadership.