No fewer than 2,620 aspirants, among them President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors, senators and members of the House of Representatives, are expected to learn today whether they have been cleared to participate in the 2027 elections under the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
Also awaiting the outcome are Tinubu’s sole challenger for the party’s presidential ticket, Osifo Stanley, as well as several serving and former political office holders seeking various elective positions.
In line with preparations to meet the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, the APC is scheduled to publish the list of successful aspirants today.
Reports indicate that the ruling party screened approximately 2,980 aspirants for different elective offices, including the single presidential position, 28 governorship seats, 109 Senate positions, 360 House of Representatives slots and 991 state assembly seats.
The screening exercise was said to have taken place between May 8 and May 12.
Sources within the party revealed that President Tinubu received a waiver from the screening panel.
Among those who underwent screening were incumbent governors, former governors, lawmakers, ministers and technocrats who purchased and submitted nomination forms.
One of the major figures awaiting the outcome is Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who is seeking to contest for a senatorial seat.
Uzodimma currently serves as the governor of Imo State, chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and head of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors spearheading Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
According to Vanguard, party insiders disclosed that the APC leadership was under pressure to convince him to abandon his senatorial ambition in order to avert a possible constitutional and political crisis.
The concern, sources said, stems from the possibility of Uzodimma occupying the positions of governor and senator-elect simultaneously, since his tenure as governor is expected to run until January 2028.
The political future of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who remains embroiled in a political confrontation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is also expected to be clarified following today’s publication.
Naija News reported that Wike met with APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yiltwatda, on Tuesday.
In Ogun State, a political rivalry has intensified between former governor and serving Ogun East Senator, Gbenga Daniel, and Governor Dapo Abiodun over the senatorial ticket.
Likewise, Gombe State Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya is competing against his predecessor, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, for a Senate seat.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who is seeking the APC governorship ticket in Abia State, is equally awaiting the outcome of the screening process.
Kalu recently came under scrutiny following a petition alleging that he attended the Nigerian Law School while also participating in the National Youth Service Corps scheme.
The development comes amid heightened tension within the ruling party, with many aspirants insisting on direct primaries rather than consensus arrangements.
Some aspirants have reportedly threatened to oppose any move aimed at imposing candidates.
Responding to the growing tension, the APC National Chairman cautioned aspirants against engaging in violence or anti-party activities.
In a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yiltwatda warned that the party would not condone actions capable of disrupting the conduct of the primaries.
“The leadership of the party will not tolerate any act capable of disrupting the smooth conduct of the primaries,” he stated.
He further warned that aspirants or supporters found sponsoring violence, unrest or anti-party activities would face disciplinary sanctions, including suspension from the party.
