The All Progressives Congress (APC) has unveiled a revised timetable for its primaries and says it is working towards rancour free exercises across the states ahead of the next general election.
The move followed a major consultation meeting at the Presidential Villa between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC governors, where they reviewed preparations for the party’s candidate selection process.
From tomorrow, the party’s national secretariat and state offices are expected to come alive with the commencement of sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to all eligible party members. The APC also confirmed that its electronic membership register has been transmitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in line with the Electoral Act, which restricts participation in primaries to members on the list.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other party leaders say early submission of the register places the APC ahead of INEC’s May 10 deadline for political parties to file their membership lists.
Deputy National Publicity Secretary Duro Meseko told reporters at the party’s Abuja secretariat that the sale of forms will run from tomorrow until May 2, while completed forms must be submitted by May 4. He also announced that, under the updated schedule, the presidential primary will now hold last, on May 23.
According to the revised timetable, the House of Representatives primaries will take place on Friday, May 15, the Senate primaries on Monday, May 18, House of Assembly primaries on Wednesday, May 20, and governorship primaries on Thursday, May 21.
Meseko said the adjustments were made to ensure full compliance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2026 and INEC guidelines. He noted that screening of aspirants, from state assembly hopefuls up to presidential contenders, will be conducted between May 6 and 9, with presidential aspirants to be screened on May 9 and results for all categories published on May 11.
He stressed that Expression of Interest and Nomination forms are open to all aspirants who meet the party’s criteria. On the mode of primaries, he explained that the National Working Committee (NWC) has approved both direct and consensus options as allowed by law, but insisted that any consensus arrangement must have the consent of all aspirants.
“Where there is consensus and an aspirant does not agree, it automatically reverts to direct primaries,” Meseko said, adding that state chapters have been empowered to decide which mode to adopt.
The NWC also moved to resolve internal leadership issues in Zamfara State by scheduling fresh ward, local government and state congresses. Ward congresses will start on April 30, with the state congress and appeals expected to be concluded by May 3.
On Thursday evening, President Tinubu met APC governors at the State House in Abuja to further fine tune strategies for peaceful, transparent and credible primaries. The meeting was attended by key members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, including its chairman and Imo State governor Hope Uzodimma, as well as governors Inuwa Yahaya, Babagana Zulum, Hyacinth Alia, Biodun Oyebanji, Peter Mbah and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, among others, with some states represented by their deputies.
Speaking after the meeting, AbdulRazaq, who also chairs the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, said discussions focused on ensuring free, fair and rancour free contests so the party emerges stronger after the primaries.
Niger State governor Umar Bago said the governors used the opportunity to thank Tinubu for his support and leadership. He added that the president gave clear guidance on the conduct of primaries while ceding authority to governors to oversee the processes in their states, provided they act within the law and agreed party rules.
Yesterday’s session is part of ongoing consultations within the ruling party aimed at strengthening internal cohesion and boosting its electoral chances ahead of the general election.
Meta description:
The APC has released a revised primary election timetable, opened nomination forms to all eligible members and empowered governors to supervise largely consensus or direct primaries, as President Tinubu and party leaders push for rancour free contests.
About the author
Christian killings: Nigeria hiring lobbyists to mask insecurity — Ted Cruz
Cruz said Nigeria’s engagement of a Washington-based lobbying firm was a public relations move meant to soften criticism from the United States rather than confront the insecurity crisis at home. He said Nigerian officials were trying to influence opinion in Washington while failing to address allegations of attacks on Christians and other vulnerable groups. The senator has been at the forefront of calls for sanctions and accountability over alleged religious persecution in Nigeria. His proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 seeks to hold officials responsible for what he describes as the enabling of mass violence against Christians. Reports also said Nigeria signed a $9 million lobbying contract with DCI Group, a US public affairs firm, after being designated a country of particular concern by President Donald Trump. The controversy adds to growing diplomatic tension between Abuja and some […]
Three Ansaru terrorists linked to Oriire abductions get life jail
Justice Salim Ibrahim delivered the ruling against Abdulrazak Umar, alias Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, alias Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, alias Abu Itisar, after they pleaded guilty to several terrorism-related charges brought by the Department of State Services (DSS). The defendants were accused of belonging to Darul Salam, a proscribed group linked to Ansaru, and of working with bandits who abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire. They faced a 10‑count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information and incitement through extremist religious ideology. Court documents showed that Umar, in particular, admitted guilt to counts involving training and instructing terror group members via messaging platforms and pushing radical ideology. Justice Ibrahim invoked the maximum penalty of life imprisonment on key counts after the three men admitted being part of the network behind the high‑profile Oriire school kidnappings. […]
Iran army says it attacked US bases in Bahrain, Jordan
The Iranian military said the operation targeted several US facilities in the Gulf and the Middle East, marking another escalation in the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Washington. Earlier reports had also said Iranian forces struck US-linked targets in Kuwait and other neighbouring states as part of a wider retaliation campaign.zeenews Iran has repeatedly argued that its attacks are a response to US strikes on its territory and a warning against further escalation. Bahrain and Jordan have previously reported intercepting projectiles fired toward their territory, with no immediate casualties confirmed in those earlier incidents. The renewed claims underline how the confrontation is spreading across the Gulf, putting pressure on regional security and raising fears of a broader war.
US lawmaker seeks Nnamdi Kanu’s release
James, who represents Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, urged the Nigerian government to free Kanu and respect his fundamental rights. He described Kanu’s continued detention as a violation of international human rights norms and cited previous United Nations opinions on the case. “The detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a clear example. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention called for his unconditional release, yet he remains in solitary confinement,” the lawmaker said during his remarks on Capitol Hill. He also accused the Nigerian authorities of enabling the “slaughter of innocent Nigerians” and called on Washington to take a firmer stand on abuses. Kanu, leader of IPOB, has been held in Nigeria on terrorism-related and secessionist charges, despite repeated legal and political appeals for his release. In November 2025, 44 federal lawmakers in Nigeria wrote President Bola Tinubu, asking him to […]
Enugu Air aircraft suffers runway excursion at Benin Airport
The incident involved one of Enugu Air’s Embraer regional jets, which veered off the runway after touchdown and came to rest in a grassy area beside the runway. The airline confirmed that the aircraft had been secured and that aviation authorities had been notified in line with standard procedure. Enugu Air said all 63 passengers and five crew members were safely evacuated, with no injuries or casualties recorded. The carrier added that it was assessing the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the incident, while warning that some flight schedules could be adjusted temporarily. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau is expected to probe the incident, while the NCAA will carry out regulatory oversight to determine what caused the runway excursion. The temporary closure of the runway also disrupted operations at Benin Airport
Court sentences three to life imprisonment over Orire school kidnapping
Justice Salim Ibrahim convicted the defendants, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani, after they pleaded guilty to some of the charges brought against them by the Federal Government. The three men were arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.vanguardngr+2 Prosecutors said the convicts were linked to the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire between January and May 2026 and were accused of concealing information about the masterminds of the attack. They were also alleged to belong to Darul Salam, an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Ansaru.dailypost+3 The incident happened on May 15, when gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities, abducting 46 people in total. Security forces later rescued 44 of the victims and […]
Related
Christian killings: Nigeria hiring lobbyists to mask insecurity — Ted Cruz
Cruz said Nigeria’s engagement of a Washington-based lobbying firm was a public relations move meant to soften criticism from the United States rather than confront the insecurity crisis at home. He said Nigerian officials were trying to influence opinion in Washington while failing to address allegations of attacks on Christians and other vulnerable groups. The senator has been at the forefront of calls for sanctions and accountability over alleged religious persecution in Nigeria. His proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025 seeks to hold officials responsible for what he describes as the enabling of mass violence against Christians. Reports also said Nigeria signed a $9 million lobbying contract with DCI Group, a US public affairs firm, after being designated a country of particular concern by President Donald Trump. The controversy adds to growing diplomatic tension between Abuja and some […]
Three Ansaru terrorists linked to Oriire abductions get life jail
Justice Salim Ibrahim delivered the ruling against Abdulrazak Umar, alias Abu Khalifa/Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, alias Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, alias Abu Itisar, after they pleaded guilty to several terrorism-related charges brought by the Department of State Services (DSS). The defendants were accused of belonging to Darul Salam, a proscribed group linked to Ansaru, and of working with bandits who abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire. They faced a 10‑count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information and incitement through extremist religious ideology. Court documents showed that Umar, in particular, admitted guilt to counts involving training and instructing terror group members via messaging platforms and pushing radical ideology. Justice Ibrahim invoked the maximum penalty of life imprisonment on key counts after the three men admitted being part of the network behind the high‑profile Oriire school kidnappings. […]
US lawmaker seeks Nnamdi Kanu’s release
James, who represents Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, urged the Nigerian government to free Kanu and respect his fundamental rights. He described Kanu’s continued detention as a violation of international human rights norms and cited previous United Nations opinions on the case. “The detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a clear example. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention called for his unconditional release, yet he remains in solitary confinement,” the lawmaker said during his remarks on Capitol Hill. He also accused the Nigerian authorities of enabling the “slaughter of innocent Nigerians” and called on Washington to take a firmer stand on abuses. Kanu, leader of IPOB, has been held in Nigeria on terrorism-related and secessionist charges, despite repeated legal and political appeals for his release. In November 2025, 44 federal lawmakers in Nigeria wrote President Bola Tinubu, asking him to […]
Enugu Air aircraft suffers runway excursion at Benin Airport
The incident involved one of Enugu Air’s Embraer regional jets, which veered off the runway after touchdown and came to rest in a grassy area beside the runway. The airline confirmed that the aircraft had been secured and that aviation authorities had been notified in line with standard procedure. Enugu Air said all 63 passengers and five crew members were safely evacuated, with no injuries or casualties recorded. The carrier added that it was assessing the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the incident, while warning that some flight schedules could be adjusted temporarily. The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau is expected to probe the incident, while the NCAA will carry out regulatory oversight to determine what caused the runway excursion. The temporary closure of the runway also disrupted operations at Benin Airport
Court sentences three to life imprisonment over Orire school kidnapping
Justice Salim Ibrahim convicted the defendants, Abdulrazak Umar, Yunusa Musa and Shamsu Adamu Sani, after they pleaded guilty to some of the charges brought against them by the Federal Government. The three men were arraigned on a 10-count charge bordering on terrorism, kidnapping, concealment of information, incitement and illegal mining.vanguardngr+2 Prosecutors said the convicts were linked to the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire between January and May 2026 and were accused of concealing information about the masterminds of the attack. They were also alleged to belong to Darul Salam, an affiliate of the proscribed terrorist group Ansaru.dailypost+3 The incident happened on May 15, when gunmen attacked Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in the Esiele and Yawota communities, abducting 46 people in total. Security forces later rescued 44 of the victims and […]
Reps to ONSA: explain why you ignored alert on PFIPC
The House of Representatives has called on the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) to explain why it allegedly ignored an alert over the controversial Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC). Lawmakers said the issue has raised serious concerns about how the alleged agency appeared in the federal budget despite questions over its legality and existence. The House wants ONSA and other relevant officials to clarify what actions were taken after the warning was reportedly raised. The development is part of a wider probe into the phantom PFIPC, which has drawn public criticism over budget transparency and verification procedures. Lawmakers say they are determined to get to the root of the matter and ensure that such irregularities do not recur in future appropriation exercises.