APC Still Awaiting Screening Results as 2027 Primaries Begin Friday

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has not yet published the results of its screening of aspirants ahead of the party’s primaries, which are set to begin on Friday.

The delay has caused anxiety among candidates, and rumors persist about potential disqualifications that the party has not confirmed.

On May 4, the APC released an updated schedule of its activities.

According to the timetable, the list of screened aspirants was supposed to be released on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

The party also scheduled the House of Representatives primaries for May 15, the Senate primaries for May 28, the governorship primaries for May 21, and the presidential primaries for May 23.

Investigations show that the party has cleared all aspirants seeking its tickets for the House of Representatives in Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Enugu, and Rivers states.

Reports indicate that the National Working Committee (NWC) has largely delegated authority to state governors to decide the “mode of primary” most suitable for their jurisdictions after extensive consultations with stakeholders.

Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires that parties nominate candidates for elective positions through direct primaries or consensus. The provision states that if an aspirant opposes a consensus arrangement, the party must conduct a primary election.

To ensure the primaries start on schedule, the NWC reviewed the screening committee findings on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Although the official results have not yet been ratified, sources at the party headquarters confirmed that the reports have been “fine‑tuned.”

THISDAY reports that the party leadership has instructed primary election committees to work with state governors to conduct smooth, dispute‑free elections that will produce candidates acceptable to the party for the upcoming year.

Sources say governors will now determine the most “acceptable” mode of primary to ensure the emergence of “generally acceptable candidates.”

A party official, who asked to remain anonymous, stated that no aspirant was disqualified in Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Enugu, and Rivers states.

The official added that, despite intense lobbying and “pressure from political opponents,” the screening panels adopted an all‑inclusive approach.

“I can confirm to you that no aspirant was disqualified. I was part of the team that handled Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Enugu, and Rivers States and I am sure that all the aspirants were cleared. There was pressure to disqualify some, but the screening committee stood its ground,” the source said.

As of the time this report was filed, the party had not released the screening results.