Tinubu to APC governors: no automatic tickets for President, Governors, Senators
President Bola Tinubu has directed governors of the All Progressives Congress to take full charge of the party’s primaries, thanking them for their support while granting them autonomy within the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The directive followed a meeting at the State House in Abuja, where Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago spoke on behalf of the governors.
“We came to see the President and thank him for his support to the governors and the party,” Bago said. “He has given us a clear mandate on what to do and has ceded authority for us to conduct primaries in line with the law, either through consensus or direct voting.”
The meeting, which began around 5pm, was moved from the Council Chamber to the President’s conference room. It was attended by several governors, including Hope Uzodimma of Imo, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Hyacinth Alia of Benue, Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, Peter Mbah of Enugu and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara. Some states were represented by their deputies.
With the timetable for primaries already released, discussions focused on ensuring a process that is free, fair and capable of strengthening the party ahead of the elections.
Meanwhile, the party’s National Working Committee said it would not issue automatic tickets to President Tinubu or first term governors seeking re election.
Deputy National Publicity Secretary Duro Meseko made this known after the 186th meeting of the committee in Abuja.
He said the party would allow open contest for all positions, including the presidency and governorships, urging aspirants to obtain nomination forms.
“There is no restriction on who can contest,” Meseko said. “Nomination forms are open to all members who are interested in seeking elective office under the party.”
He added that the APC would adopt both direct and consensus methods for its primaries, in line with the Electoral Act.
“Aspirants are free to choose their preferred mode,” he said. “Where consensus fails, the process will revert to direct primaries.”
The party also announced adjustments to its timetable for the 2027 elections.
Meseko said sales of nomination forms would run from April 25 to May 2, 2026, while the deadline for submission of completed forms is May 4.
Screening of aspirants for various positions will take place between May 6 and May 9, with presidential screening scheduled for May 9. Results will be published on May 11, followed by appeals from May 12 to May 13.
Primary elections will begin on May 15 with the House of Representatives, followed by Senate primaries on May 18, state assembly on May 20, governorship on May 21 and the presidential primary on May 23.
Post primary appeals will run from May 18 to May 25, depending on the office.
Meseko said the revised timetable had been communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission in line with legal requirements.
He also confirmed that updated membership records had been submitted to the commission, bringing the party into full compliance with electoral regulations.