APC Unveils 25 Governorship Candidates

The All Progressives Congress completed governorship primaries in most states across the country and produced candidates in 25 states, while contests in Kwara, Bauchi and parts of Zamfara were postponed following disagreements over candidate selection and operational challenges.

The primaries held on Thursday formed part of preparations for the 2027 general elections, with party members voting in different states to determine governorship flag bearers. However, the exercise did not move smoothly everywhere as delays, negotiations and internal disagreements affected some locations.

The APC National Working Committee approved a shift in the governorship primaries for Kwara and Bauchi to Friday, May 22, 2026. It also moved the State House of Assembly primaries for Maradun I and Maradun II constituencies in Zamfara to Sunday, May 24.

According to the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the decision followed consultations with stakeholders and was aimed at creating a peaceful and orderly process.

Despite the official explanation, the postponement created tension within party circles, especially in Kwara and Bauchi, where members raised concerns over consensus arrangements and possible influence in the selection process.

In Kwara State, political activities intensified around Yahaya Seriki, who gained support after several governorship aspirants stepped down. Reports from within the party indicated that the withdrawals followed consultations intended to maintain internal unity.

Before the postponement was announced, party members had already gathered at several voting centres. In some areas, supporters waited for hours before eventually leaving due to the absence of officials and election materials. Confusion also emerged in parts of the state after claims that some members attempted informal voting arrangements before party leaders rejected the process.

In Bauchi State, supporters of governorship aspirant Nura Soro protested over concerns about how the exercise was being handled. The group demanded openness in the collation process and called for equal treatment of all aspirants.

While delays affected some states, governorship primaries were completed in many others. Candidates emerged in states including Ogun, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Delta, Enugu, Rivers, Oyo, Benue, Sokoto, Gombe, Yobe, Niger, Borno, Ebonyi, Abia, Jigawa, Taraba, Zamfara, Plateau, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Lagos and Kano.

In Rivers State, political attention remained on Governor Siminalayi Fubara after reports of his withdrawal from the governorship race. His decision generated reactions among supporters and political associates who questioned the developments within the state’s political structure.

Despite the controversy, the APC completed the process in Rivers and declared Kingsley Chinda as its governorship candidate after he secured victory in the primary election.

Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori also secured the APC governorship ticket after emerging unopposed and recording a large number of votes in the direct primary election conducted across the state.

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah similarly secured the party’s ticket following voting across party wards in the state.
In Kebbi and Katsina, governors received endorsement through affirmation processes conducted by delegates and party members.

Lagos also completed its governorship primary, with Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat emerging winner after defeating his rival by a wide margin.

One of the major surprises came from Gombe State, where Jamilu Gwamna defeated former ministers Isa Pantami and Said Alkali in the governorship primary despite earlier concerns raised by opponents about the process.

In Nasarawa State, the exercise faced delays after election materials arrived late at several wards. Many party members waited for hours as security personnel monitored activities. Voting in some areas remained incomplete and was expected to continue.

Alongside the state primaries, the APC also moved forward with preparations for its presidential primary scheduled for May 23. The party announced structures to manage the process and appointed former Senate President Pius Anyim to chair the Presidential Primary Election Committee, while former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari was named to lead the appeal panel.

The party stated that voting for the presidential primary would take place across all wards nationwide, with results moving through local government and state collation stages before final compilation in Abuja.