ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The All Progressives Congress, (APC), on Saturday continued its screening exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections, with over 14 governors appearing before the party’s panel in Abuja, while Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, stayed away from the process.
Also screened was President Bola Tinubu’s only challenger for the APC presidential ticket, Stanley Osifo.
It was gathered that the APC commenced the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms on April 28 before closing the exercise on May 6.
The screening of governors began on May 8 and is expected to end today, while the party has adopted both consensus and direct primaries in line with the Electoral Act 2025.
According to the party’s timetable, House of Representatives primaries will hold on May 15, Senate primaries on May 18, State Houses of Assembly primaries on May 20, governorship primaries on May 21, while the presidential primary is scheduled for May 23.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and State Assembly elections will be conducted on February 6, 2027.
INEC also directed political parties to conduct primaries and resolve disputes between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
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Campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections are expected to begin on August 19, while governorship and State Assembly campaigns will commence on September 9.
The APC screening committee for governors is chaired by the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, with the National Secretary, Surajudeen Basiru, serving as secretary.
Governors screened by the committee included Abba Yusuf, Inuwa Yahaya, Nasir Idris, Caleb Mutfwang and Hyacinth Alia.
Others were Francis Nwifuru, Sheriff Oborevwori, Umar Bago, Dauda Lawal, Bassey Otu and Ahmed Aliyu.
A senior APC official disclosed that more than 14 governors had already undergone screening as of Saturday.
Speaking after the exercise, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, described the process as smooth and commended the APC leadership for strengthening ties with serving governors.
“Perfect, and I think it’s a normal procedure. I am satisfied,” Eno said.
The governor added that the exercise reflected growing unity within the ruling party.
He also defended the administration of Tinubu, insisting that despite the nation’s economic challenges, progress was gradually being made.
“Things are difficult, we must admit, but we also must admit that things are improving from where this President took over,” he stated.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel. I feel that Nigerians know that this President needs to come back to consolidate the work that he has started.”
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Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Bauchi governorship aspirant, Yusuf Tuggar, however, ruled out the possibility of consensus among governorship aspirants in Bauchi State.
“Well, to be honest, it is unlikely that there is going to be a consensus in Bauchi State,” Tuggar said.
He urged the APC leadership to separate serious aspirants from those allegedly entering the race to create artificial consensus arrangements.
Tuggar also argued that the political environment had changed significantly since 2011 and 2015, adding that the party should focus on grassroots politicians capable of delivering victory.
Kwara governorship aspirant Abdul Fatai Yahya, on his part, said he was ready for any mode of primary approved by the APC.
Meanwhile, Tinubu’s challenger, Stanley Osifo, described the screening exercise as rigorous but fair, saying he answered every question raised by the panel.
He confirmed that he was specifically asked why he decided to challenge an incumbent president for the APC presidential ticket.
Despite the endorsement of Tinubu by party leaders, Osifo insisted he remained committed to the race and had not discussed stepping down.
Governors screened for senatorial positions included Mai Mala Buni and Hope Uzodinma.
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However, attention shifted to the absence of Fubara, who has remained locked in a prolonged political crisis with his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Reports indicated that some Rivers political stakeholders, including House of Representatives member Awaji-Inombek Abiante and former Commissioner for Education, Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, purchased APC nomination forms for the governor through a proxy arrangement.
By the close of the screening sessions on Friday and Saturday, Fubara had yet to appear before the committee.
Reacting to concerns over the governor’s absence, Yilwatda said governors handling official assignments were excused by the committee.
“Three governors have not come, so that is the issue. I said you should not single one person out when three governors have not appeared,” he said.
“Any governor who has state issues to attend to, whether the governor of Kwara State, Ebonyi State, Rivers State, we excuse them. They are chief executives and field commanders.”
Meanwhile, former Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Das George-Kelly, and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, were also reported to have obtained APC governorship forms ahead of the Rivers governorship race.
Speaking during a radio interview in Port Harcourt, Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja alleged that Chinda, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, purchased the APC governorship nomination form.
“Maybe if you have been hearing it as a rumour, quote me. I saw his name among those who bought the governorship form,” he said.