•President urges rancour-free, fair primaries in 360 constituencies
Candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 360 House of Representatives constituencies are to be elected on Saturday.
Primaries have been slated for all 8,809 wards across the 774 local government councils, allowing all registered members of the party to participate.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu urged members to ensure a rancour-free and fair process.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to monitor the primaries.
INEC stated that 19 political parties have submitted their schedules.
There are 20 political parties registered by INEC.
Tomorrow’s shadow election by the ruling party is through a direct primary, one of the two options dictated by the Electoral Act 2026 for candidates to be picked.
The second option is the consensus arrangement, which the APC National Working Committee (NWC) has now discarded.
It was learnt that party leaders made efforts for a consensus arrangement to be the main option, except in a few places where there are disagreements, but many aspirants across the country kicked against the plan.
This made the party resolve that elections should take place in all wards to pick all candidates, including where consensus is favoured.
National Secretary of the APC, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, told DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS that “elections, which will allow all party members to vote, will take place in all wards.”
The assurance from the NWC calmed frayed nerves.
The NWC also dispatched officials to all the states to coordinate the elections.
In the last 48 hours, there have been protests by supporters of some of the aspirants in some state capitals against consensus.
Many aspirants, expressing displeasure, took their protest to the party leadership.
On Monday, APC members will elect senatorial candidates, while House of Assembly primaries will hold on Wednesday, governorship primaries on May 21, and the presidential primary on May 23.
The last-minute shift of the House of Representatives primaries from today till tomorrow so as to make the logistics seamless, was announced last night by National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka.
INEC set to monitor primaries
INEC’s directive to RECs to monitor the primaries was contained in a letter dated May 11, signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran Anthony, titled “Notice of Political Party Primaries Ahead of the 2027 General Elections.”
The letter reads:
“I write to notify all Resident Electoral Commissioners that political party primaries for the nomination of candidates for the Presidential, Governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly elections ahead of the 2027 General Election are scheduled to hold within the period approved by the Commission.
“Accordingly, you are hereby requested to make the necessary arrangements for the monitoring of the primaries in your respective states and the Federal Capital Territory, in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), as well as the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines.
“Find attached the timetable and schedule of activities submitted by political parties. Kindly note that the timetable may be updated by the Commission from time to time as may become necessary.”
Tinubu urges peace, fairness
President Tinubu called on APC members to conduct themselves peacefully and democratically as the party begins its primaries ahead of the general elections.
The President, in a statement, described the primaries as a critical test of the party’s unity, resilience and democratic ideals.
The APC primaries are scheduled to begin with contests for House of Representatives aspirants tomorrow and end with the presidential primary on May 23.
Tinubu, who recalled the founding principles of the ruling party, said the APC was built on progressive politics, consensus democracy, sacrifice and selflessness, stressing that such values must continue to guide party members through the primary process.
“The primary elections are not mere exercises to produce our standard bearers. They are a referendum on our unity, resilience and strength as a party.
“They present an opportunity to renew the bond and ideals that we share,” the President stated.
He commended ongoing efforts by party leaders at various levels to adopt consensus arrangements where possible, noting that the option would help reduce rancour and bitterness among party members.
According to him, the move aligns with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the APC constitution.
“I note the impressive progress made in this regard and encourage fellow party members to make the most of this window to ensure a seamless process and a more unified party,” he said.
The President, however, urged aspirants and delegates to maintain peace and sportsmanship in areas where consensus arrangements fail, and elections become necessary.
“We cannot afford rancorous conduct or the debasement of our democracy and party unity,” Tinubu warned.
He advised winners not to gloat in victory and urged losers to accept outcomes in good faith while preparing for future opportunities.
“Our opponents are waiting for us to be against each other; we should disappoint them,” he added.
Tinubu also urged victorious candidates and party leaders to extend olive branches to unsuccessful aspirants, saying the APC must avoid returning to what he described as “do-or-die politics.”
“Politics should never be a zero-sum game. Any candidate that wins does so for all of us as a party,” he said, while reminding aggrieved aspirants of the party’s internal appeal mechanisms.
The President charged governors, party executives and other stakeholders to ensure fairness and justice throughout the primaries by providing a level playing field for all aspirants.
“While only one person will win for every seat contested, we should give eventual losers the satisfaction of a fair contest,” he said.
Tinubu also made a strong appeal for greater inclusion of women and youths in the party’s electoral process, describing both groups as critical demographics that must not be sidelined.
“The inclusion of women and youth is dear to my heart. I appeal to voters in the primaries and leaders at all levels to give special consideration to our women and youth in the contest,” he stated.
The President directed the police and other security agencies to remain professional and avoid interfering in the primaries beyond maintaining law and order.
“Your duties strictly centre on ensuring peaceful exercise. Nothing more,” he warned.
Tinubu expressed optimism that the APC would emerge stronger from the primaries and pledged to work with victorious aspirants ahead of the general election.
“I look forward to working with the victorious aspirants for the success of our great party in the general election,” he said.
