Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The All Progressives Congress on Friday, May 8, 2026, commenced the screening of serving governors seeking re‑election and aspirants for the Senate ahead of the party’s primary elections, with the exercise held at the Plateau State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja. The screening committee, chaired by APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, with National Secretary Surajudeen Basiru as secretary, assessed aspirants in a process described by party officials as well organised. The governorship primary election is set for May 21, the Senate primary for May 18, and the House of Representatives primary for May 15, while the presidential primary is scheduled for May 23. The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, with governorship and State Assembly elections following on February 6.
Among the governors who appeared before the committee were Abba Yusuf of Kano State, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Umar Bago of Niger State, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, Bassey Otu of Cross River State, Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State, and Uba Sani of Kaduna State. Governors also screened for senatorial primary elections include Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, and Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State. Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma also underwent screening for senatorial tickets. However, three governors were notably absent from the Saturday session: Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, and Agbu Kefas of Taraba State.
Speaking at the end of the screening, Yilwatda defended the absence of the three governors, urging journalists not to single out Fubara. Yilwatda noted that all three had pressing official engagements in their respective states and were excused. He explained that any governor who has state issues to attend to, whether of Kwara State, Ebonyi State, or Rivers State, is excused, and that the screening committee would remain available to provide a slot for them once they are free within the stipulated time. Fubara’s absence generated particular political interest given his long‑standing conflict with his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The Rivers governor formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC on December 9, 2025, a move widely seen as an effort to secure federal backing for his re‑election bid. Responding to questions, Yilwatda confirmed that Fubara, like the other absent governors, would be screened separately by the National Working Committee.
In a separate but equally significant development, the APC on Saturday screened presidential aspirant Osifo Stanley, President Bola Tinubu’s sole challenger for the party’s 2027 ticket. The screening, which took place at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, saw Osifo subjected to rigorous questioning, including why he had chosen to contest against an incumbent president. Osifo told journalists after the session that screening is not something one goes for without expecting some form of rigorous and challenging situation, but that he presented everything he was asked to present. The APC’s National Working Committee had earlier endorsed President Tinubu for a second term, fuelling speculation that other aspirants might be pressured to step down. However, Osifo insisted he remained committed to the contest, stating that when your eyes are on the plough, you move on and do not look back. Asked whether he would accept a consensus arrangement, Osifo said he is a party member and expected to follow the party’s rules and regulations. He also clarified that no discussions had been held with him regarding stepping down for President Tinubu. Osifo is a former Group Chief Operating Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation and a seasoned energy executive.
After the screening, several governors expressed satisfaction with the process. Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah described the exercise as seamless and a testament to the party’s organisation, pledging to uphold the party’s values across the country. Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu declared that the coast is clear for the APC in 2027, stating that President Tinubu has excelled given the position where the party took over from. The APC leadership confirmed that a total of 14 governors had been assessed, with arrangements in place for the absent governors to appear before the NWC separately. With the party’s primaries scheduled to run from May 15 to May 23, and the main elections slated for early 2027, the APC has signalled its intent to maintain a tightly managed candidate selection process. For Governor Fubara, the path to a second term now hinges on successfully navigating his screening and the subsequent primaries, all while managing the political shadow of his powerful predecessor, Nyesom Wike.
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