LAGOS, Nigeria — The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, said that the party’s ongoing nationwide primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections are the most competitive in the history of Nigeria.
Okay News reports that Professor Nentawe Yilwatda made this declaration while speaking with journalists outside the Ikoyi, Lagos, residence of President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday evening.
Professor Nentawe Yilwatda stated that the high number of aspirants vying for a limited number of elective positions confirms the party’s widespread acceptance across all communities. He noted that the process, which involves thousands of participants, is being conducted with a disciplined approach that has resulted in fewer incidents compared to previous exercises.
President Bola Tinubu expressed satisfaction with the logistics deployed by the National Working Committee and the reduction in conflicts during the voting process. Professor Nentawe Yilwatda confirmed that the President has provided moral and institutional support for the party to enforce its regulations during the staggered primaries.
The party’s guidelines dictate that direct primaries are used in instances where consensus arrangements cannot be reached. Aspirants seeking consensus must sign formal consent forms voluntarily, according to Professor Nentawe Yilwatda. The party has established the Presidential Conflict Resolution Committee and the Party Conflict Resolution Committee to address grievances that may arise following the elections.
The nationwide primary exercises commenced on May 15, 2026, to determine candidates for various elective offices. The Governorship primaries are scheduled for May 21, 2026, with the presidential primary set for May 23, 2026. The electoral process involves 30 APC governors, 88 senators, 242 House of Representatives members, and thousands of other aspirants.
