APC primaries: 83 aspirants in race for governorship tickets in 28 states
Eighty-Three aspirants looked set to battle for All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship tickets in 28 states. The number may, however go up following yesterday’s extension of the deadline for the
Eighty-Three aspirants looked set to battle for All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship tickets in 28 states.
The number may, however go up following yesterday’s extension of the deadline for the sale of forms by 48 hours.
The party had initially scheduled the closing date at 12 midnight yesterday.
APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, who announced the shift in the party’s timetable, said the move was to accommodate the late surge of interest.
“The sale of forms will now close at midnight on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, with the submission window closing on Thursday, May 7,” Morka said.
The Ladi Kwali International Conference Center has become the hub of political activity as heavyweights throng the venue.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, were among the notable figures seen at the secretariat supporting various bids.
With screening set to begin on Friday, the APC is moving into a frantic week of vetting as it seeks to balance the stability of its incumbents against the growing clamor for fresh leadership within its ranks.
As at press time last night, 83 governorship aspirants had picked the forms to fly the party’s tickets in the states. But data suggests a significant wave of internal consensus.
Of the 17 first-term governors, 13 are likely to return unopposed, effectively turning their May 21 primaries into mere affirmation.
The governors on the affirmation waiting list include: Umo Bassey Eno (Akwa Ibom); Bassey Otu (Cross River); Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta); Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi); Peter Mbah (Enugu); Umar Namadi (Jigawa); Uba Sani (Kaduna); Abba Yusuf (Kano); Dikko Umaru Radda (Katsina); Nasir Idris (Kebbi); Umar Bago (Niger); Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto) and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).
Read Also: 2027: Antonia Agbede-Ally picks APC form for House of Reps seat in Cross River
Records from nomination form Collection/Submission secretariat showed that the competition is fiercest in Kwara State, which boasts the highest number of contenders with 15 aspirants jostling for the ticket.
Other high-interest states include: Adamawa (eight aspirants); Oyo and Yobe (six aspirants each); Bauchi and Nasarawa (five aspirants each); Abia and Taraba (four aspirants each); Gombe and Lagos (three aspirants each) while Borno and Ogun have two aspirants each.
Conversely, Lagos State appears to be moving toward a unified front. Sources within the party indicate that stakeholders “have resolved to push a consensus candidate” during the May 21 primary to avoid internal friction.
In Benue, the incumbent Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia faces a stiff challenge from aspirants who reject the “consensus” tag.
Mathias Byuan, a contender in Benue, dismissed the idea of a smooth ride for the incumbent.
“The governor and I will test the ground. If he is popular, let him win. If I am popular, I will win. Mr. President has said people should go and test their popularity,” Byuan told reporters after submitting his forms.
There has been stiff resistance to the consensus arrangement in many states.
In Yobe, former Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, personally submitted his forms, making it clear he would not step down for a predetermined candidate.
He said: “I have not seen where any consensus has taken place. I have not participated in any consensus meeting, and I have not agreed to support anybody. I have the passion, the credibility, and the attitude needed to lead Yobe.”
A similar sentiment of change was echoed by Kashim Musa Tumsah, another Yobe aspirant, who said: “The people desire change and they have asked for something different. That is why we are contesting.”
In Nasarawa, the race took on a historic tone as Dr. Fatima Abdullahi, the state’s sole female gubernatorial aspirant, expressed her readiness for a “direct primary” battle.
She said: “It is disheartening that since 1999 till date, no woman has governed any state as a governor.
Mrs. Abdullahi said she is comfortable with the grassroots-led direct primary format.
The race for the nation’s highest office has narrowed to a high-stakes duel between the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and 50-year-old Edo businessman Osifo Stanley.
Tinubu is seeking a second-term mandate to solidify his “Renewed Hope Agenda”. Stanley’s entry introduces a youthful challenge to the status quo.
“These two remain the only individuals to have picked up the forms for the highest office in the land,” a source within the APC Primary Election Committee confirmed.
