APC Unveils Guidelines for Presidential Primary Process

• Says primaries hold in 8,809 wards nationwide

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued the procedure for the presidential primaries scheduled for May 23, 2026.

In a notice released Thursday, National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru announced that the ruling party will select its candidate through a direct primary.

President Bola Tinubu, who is seeking a second term, is being challenged for the nomination by Stanley Osifo.

Basiru explained that the direct primary will take place in each of the 8,809 wards across the country.

He added that all registered party members will be eligible to vote for their preferred presidential aspirant in each of the 8,809 wards.

He noted: “The direct primary will be held in each of the 8,809 wards.”

“Results for each ward, comprising the 774 Local Governments, will be collated by the Local Government Collation Officer appointed by the State Coordinator and Collation Officer appointed by the National Working Committee.”

“The organization and conduct of the direct primary in each of the 36 states and the FCT will be the responsibility of the State Coordinator and Collation Officer, who will also collate the results of all local governments in the state and present them to the Presidential Primary Election Committee in Abuja, FCT on May 24, 2026.”

“The provisions of the ‘Procedure for the Conduct of Direct and Consensus Mode of Primaries’ earlier issued and forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission under the cover of a letter dated May 15, 2026 with reference No: APC/NHOQ/INEC/PRYS-DOCS/01-05/26 also apply mutatis mutandis.”

Basiru also announced that former Senate President Ayim Pius Anyim has been appointed chairman of the Presidential Election Committee. Members of the committee include Senator Ken Nnamani, Senator Udo Udoma, Ms. Grace Layoye‑Ponle, Idris Wada, and Jolly Nyame, while Sani Sanusi serves as Secretary.

The party further revealed that its governors will act as coordinators in their respective states. Deputy Speaker Hon. Ben Kalu has been named coordinator for Abia State; Senator Phillip Aduda for the Federal Capital Territory; Senator Teslim Folarin for Oyo State; Gboyega Oyetola for Osun State; Senator Uche Ekwunife for Anambra State; and Hon. Yakubu Dogara for Bauchi State.