After months of preparations, shifts in dates, anxiety over screening list, controversies over anointed aspirants and uncertainty over the mode of election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will commence its primaries today with contests for House of Representatives tickets.

The House of Representatives’ primaries were supposed to commence yesterday, but was shifted to today (Saturday) due to disagreements over the mode of election to be adopted.

Our correspondents report that in many of the 36 states, the governors, who control the structures of the party had shown preference for consensus arrangements but were rejected by other aspirants in many areas.

This has caused rifts in many of the states, compelling the national secretariat of the party to allow for direct primaries in many constituencies, Weekend Trust gathered.

Speaking on today’s exercise, a source within the party’s hierarchy, said officials from the national headquarters of the party deployed to monitor the exercise across the states have departed to their assigned states while the final list of successful aspirants have been dispatched to the states.

Another source had earlier told our correspondent that all aspirants had been communicated to directly while an appeal committee for both senatorial and governorship aspirants are about rounding up their assignment.

The party also announced the composition of the Primary Election Committees and Primary Election Appeal Committees for the National Assembly primary elections.

A statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Friday, urged all members and stakeholders to uphold transparency and fairness, and remain peaceful during the exercise.

Panel disqualifies 4 Fubara loyalists, clears 21 others

In Rivers State, the party disqualified four loyalists of the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, from contesting the primaries.

In the final list released on Friday ahead of the primaries, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, was cleared for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency.

Those disqualified are two serving members of the of the House of Representatives, Awaji Inombek Abiante and Boma Goodhead.

Abiante is one of the prominent Rivers State politicians who purchased governorship form for Governor Fubara.

The other two not cleared are Air Commodore John Opera (rted) and Anderson Igbiki.

Amaewhule, who is vying for the Obio/Apor Federal Constituency is aiming to replace his kinsman and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda.

The state’s Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr Chibike Ikenga, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday, confirmed the list of cleared and disqualified aspirants.

In the statement is titled: ‘Final List of Aspirants for the House of Representatives Primary Election for Saturday, 16th May, 2026’ Ikenga, said the list was released by the national leadership of the party and advised aspirants to note and comply accordingly

When contacted by Weekend Trust, on the authenticity of the list, Ikenga said: “I am the one that released the list, it’s authentic, deal with it, work with it, and quote me.”

Borno: Zulum’s brother, Betara are consensus candidates; lone female member to face primaries

In Borno, the consensus committee, which the state governor, Prof Babagana Zulum formed to engage the House of Representatives aspirants in the three senatorial zones has almost concluded its work.

The committee in Borno North headed by the former governor of Borno, Maina Maaji Lawan, and Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, engaged all the aspirants.

Also in Borno Central, headed by the Deputy National Chairman of the APC (North) Ali Bukar Dalori, and that of Borno South headed by the state deputy governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, did the same.

In some places, the consensus worked, but failed to yield in other constituencies.

For the Bama/Ngala/Kala Balge Federal Constituency, it was gathered that the serving member, Dr Zainab Gimba will have to face two competitors in direct primaries.

Sources said while through the intervention of some powerful forces some of the 10 serving members from Borno have emerged through consensus, other members, including Dr Gimba are to slug it out to retain their seats.

“Dr Gimba is the only female legislator from the state and her seat is being threatened,” a source told the Weekend Trust yesterday.

“She is being challenged by one Mustapha Abdullahi, who is allegedly being favoured. However, another contender, Babagana Ajari has propped up, saying he will also go for the primaries.

“Many people in the constituency are in shock as to why Dr Gimba will not be supported to emerge through consensus, just like some of the honourables,” another source said.

In Jere Federal Constituency, the consensus favoured the serving member, Ahmed Satomi, but as of the time of filing this report, the opponents were yet to back out, insisting that direct primary is inevitable. Some sources said anything could happen before going to the polls.

In Maiduguri (metropolitan) Federal Constituency, the consensus team resolved that the serving member, Kadiri Rahis, be given a chance to re-contest for the fourth time. The four other aspirants insisted on direct primaries also.

In Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency, the re-election bid of serving member, Usman Midala Balami, is still in contention.

Places where the committee was able to achieve consensus are Chibok/Damboa/Gwoza, Federal Constituency, where Ahmed Jaha, the serving House of Representatives member was adopted as consensus candidate. His opponent, Asabe Blita Bashir stepped down for him.

It also worked in Mafa/Konduga/Dikwa Federal Constituency where the aspirants unanimously stepped down for Dr Kaumi Umara Zulum, the younger brother of Governor Zulum.

In Guzamala/Kukawa/Abadam/ Mobbar Federal Constituency, the serving member, Lawan Malam Gana Kareto, voluntarily stepped down for the former Woman Leader of the APC Hajia Fati Kakenna Akenna, who is his cousin, while in Kaga/Gubio/Magumeri Federal Constituency, the consensus agreement favoured the serving member, Usman Zanna, when the two opponents stepped down to allow him to re-contest his third term bid.

In Biu/Bayo/Shani/ Kwayakusar Federal Constituency, the serving member, Mukhtar Betara, was declared unopposed.

Over 20 aspirants jostle for Reps seats in Benue

In Benue State, over 20 aspirants purchased forms for the Reps’ seats across the 11 federal constituencies in the state.

Our correspondent, however, gathered that the aspirants are yet to know whether the election will be conducted through consensus or direct primaries.

A party official, who preferred anonymity, told our correspondent that they were yet to be informed about the mode of primaries to be adopted for the exercise.

“With the delay in releasing the list of qualified aspirants, the election may also extend into the night,” the official said.

The APC State Organising Secretary, James Ornguga, did not respond to calls or text messages, while the Publicity Secretary, Benedict Yawe, could not be reached as his phone appeared switched off.

However one of the aspirants for Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency, Comrade Andrew Abu, said the shift in date would give them more room for preparation.

“The shift is not connected to a move to determine mode of primaries. We are going ahead with the stipulated direct primaries. The shift I believe is for administrative reasons and has given us more room to strengthen our mobilisation and have stronger outing tomorrow,” Abu said.

In Katsina, 3 constituencies to hold primaries

There are 15 House of Representatives seats, but there are indications that three constituencies are expected to hold primaries.

Some aspirants appear unwilling to step aside despite consensus arrangements reached in some constituencies across the state.

Direct primaries will hold in the Funtua/Dandume Federal Constituency, where Ahmad Abubakar reportedly obtained his re-election nomination form despite the party’s decision to back Yau Ahmad Nowa, who served as the Special Adviser on Employment to the current Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, as its preferred candidate for the seat.

Another constituency that may be heading for primaries is the Bindawa/Mani Federal Constituency, where among the notable figures linked to the race is the incumbent member representing the constituency in the House of Representatives, Ahmed Yusuf Ibrahim, who is seeking another term in office.

Sources within the party said the lawmaker rejected moves to adopt a consensus candidate and instead opted to obtain nomination forms to test his popularity through party primaries.

Also said to be interested in the APC ticket is Ahmed Saleh Junior, believed to have strong support among youths and party loyalists in Mani Local Government Area. It was gathered that despite the consensus verdict, Junior rejected the outcome and also purchased a nomination form.

However, the emergence of Jamila Abdu-Mani as the consensus candidate also generated reactions in parts of the constituency, with some party members and clerics reportedly expressing reservations over the arrangement.

Similarly, in Bakori/Danja, the incumbent House member, Abdullahi Balarabe Dabai, who won election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was promised an automatic ticket after defecting to the APC. However, the party’s decision was rejected by Ibrahim Jika, who went ahead to purchase the party’s nomination form.

Weekend Trust gathered that before now, some notable APC members in the state could not accept the consensus outcome and decided to defect to other political parties where they believe their interests would be protected.

They include: Shehu Tafoki, a member of the House of Representatives representing Kankara/Faskari/Sabuwa Federal Constituency. It was gathered that Tafoki defected from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after reportedly failing to secure the APC consensus ticket for the 2027 elections despite being a serving lawmaker.

Another party member, Ismail Yandaki, who served as the APC Central Zone Youth Leader in Katsina State, also resigned from the party and joined the PDP, after allegedly missing out on the Kaita State Assembly consensus ticket.

However, Yandaki has reportedly secured the PDP ticket to contest the Kaita/Jibia Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

Similarly, Surajo Abduljabbar, an APC aspirant for the Bakori/Danja House of Representatives seat, also left the party following the controversy surrounding the consensus arrangement.

Reports indicate that he has since moved to the PDP and secured the party’s ticket for the election.

It was recently reported that Sani Lawal, the member representing Zango/Baure Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, also dumped the APC for a yet-to-be-disclosed political party.

It was reliably gathered that the chairman of the state’s consensus reconciliation committee and former Katsina State governor, Aminu Masari, is in talks with the aggrieved aspirants, and sources within the party said they are hopeful that changes may occur before the primaries.

Kano: 24 Reps get automatic tickets, protest in 1

In Kano State, virtually all the 24 House of Representatives seat were decided through consensus led by the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The consensus arrangement include all the three senatorial seats and State House of Assembly.

Of all the 24 Reps seats, only an aspirant contesting for Fagge federal constituency, Sagir Abba, refused to step down for the consensus candidate and the incumbent member, Muhammad Bello Shehu.

Also, all the incumbents serving under the party are the ones that emerged as consensus candidates and were given automatic tickets.

It was gathered that Governor Yusuf ensured that they got the return tickets to consolidate on their popularity and to reflect the interest of all the camps in the party.

While some are vying for second term, a few others are seeking third terms. However, there are members like Alhassan Ado Doguwa (Doguwa/Tudun Wada constituency) and Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe (Dawakin Tofa/Tofa/Rimin Gado constituency), who will be going for sixth term respectively.

In Plateau, 30 persons jostle for 8 tickets

In Plateau State, there are eight federal constituencies with more than 30 aspirants jostling for seats under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Two constituencies – Wase and Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam – are keenly contested. The current representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase for Wase Federal Constituency and Yusuf Adamu Gagdi for Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam, are seeking fifth and third terms respectively, while new aspirants are struggling to unseat them.

Sources told our correspondent that the APC primaries rescheduled for Saturday are likely to be keenly contested if aspirants insist on a direct primary. The contest is complicated by competing interests between two camps: one loyal to APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and the other to Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

While some sources said the primaries are likely to hold, others said there might be no primary at all, adding that preferred aspirants could be announced to represent the party in the election.

60 aspirants reject consensus in Adamawa

In Adamawa State, 60 House of Representatives aspirants have rejected alleged plots to impose candidates. This is following attempts to elect candidates through consensus arrangements in today’s primary across the state .

In a communiqué signed by Vrati Nzonzo, and issued at the end of the 2027 APC Adamawa State House of Representatives Aspirants Forum meeting yesterday, the aspirants said consensus arrangements had failed across the eight federal constituencies in the state and demanded free, fair and credible primaries across all 226 wards.

It accused officials of the party in the state of dropping the names of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to compel other aspirants to step down for them.

The aspirants insist the right thing must be done for them to go ahead with the primary.

Anxiety in Ondo

Ahead of today’s primaries in Ondo State, the party officially adopted the direct primary mode across all the nine constituencies, after a failed consensus agreement and allegations against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, of imposition of aspirants.

The Ondo State chapter of the party is currently tensed over the insistence by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on direct primaries, particularly for the National Assembly elections, Weekend Trust gathered.

While the APC is yet to release an official list of cleared aspirants, several names have surfaced publicly across constituencies in which all have claimed to have gotten their screening forms and scaled through.

The major battle constituencies to watch in Ondo State for the primaries are Akoko South East/South West, Akure North/South, Okitipupa/Irele, Ilaje/Ese-Odo.

Jimmy Adekanle, an aspirant for Okipupa Federal Constituency said there were reports that 180 APC senators and members of the House of Representatives could secure return tickets, including 48 senators and 140 members of the House.

He said the report indicated that seven of the nine House of Representatives members from Ondo State, as well as Senators Jide Ipinsagba (Ondo North) and Niyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central), are on the list.

However, the Ondo State government has called APC members across the state to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly during the party primaries. In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Idowu Ajanaku, the governor urged all aspirants, party leaders, and supporters to ensure the exercise remains hitch-free, transparent, and devoid of violence or rancour before, during, and after the polls in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

127 aspirants battle for 33 APC Reps tickets in Lagos, Ogun

At least 91 aspirants will contest Saturday’s APC primary elections for the party’s 24 House of Representatives tickets across the 245 wards in Lagos State.

Weekend Trust gathered that while some constituencies embraced the consensus arrangements, many aspirants rejected the pressure from party leaders to step down, thereby opening doors for primaries.

The aspirants include incumbent lawmakers, former members of the House of Representatives, ex-members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, former council chairmen, and party chieftains.

The direct primaries are expected to be conducted in most of the 245 wards across the state to determine the party’s candidates.

It was gathered that of all the contestants, three may emerge unopposed. They include the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, in Agege Federal Constituency; incumbent lawmaker Fuad Laguda in Surulere I; and Benjamin Olabinjo in Ifako-Ijaiye.

In Ikeja, the state convener of the Renewed Hope Network (RTN), James Faleke will face Olufunke Hassan, while a three-term lawmaker, Jimi Benson, who has been representing the Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State since 2015, will slug it out against Olugbenga Shittu.

At Ajeromi-Ifelodun, incumbent Paul Kalejaiye is set for a showdown with former lawmaker Kolawole Taiwo.

In Mushin Constituency II, former commissioner in the state and the immediate past spokesman of the Lagos APC, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, will challenge the incumbent, Toyin Fayinka, a former aide to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, while Mushin I lawmaker Adeyemi Alli faces Adeleke Opeodu and Madina Sanusi.

In Oshodi-Isolo, 16 aspirants are vying for two seats, with eight contenders in each constituency.

In Oshodi-Isolo I, the contenders include former council chairmen Afeez Ipesa-Balogun and Bolaji Ariyoh, alongside Nollywood actress Foluke Daramola-Salako and five others.

Leading the list of contestants in Oshodi-Isolo II is Dr Olayinka AbdulRasheed Alausa, a nephew to Nigeria’s Minister for Education. Others include a former lawmaker Ganiyu Johnson, former commissioner Kehinde Bamigbetan, and seven other aspirants.

Ten aspirants are also contesting the two Lagos Island constituencies. They include caucus chairman Dolapo Badru and former lawmaker Ibrahim Obanikoro.

In Ogun State, about 36 aspirants have been cleared for the Saturday’s primary for all the nine federal constituencies.

The constituencies are: Abeokuta South, Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North, Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Ogun Waterside,

Ijebu Ode/Odogbolu/Ijebu North East, Ifo/Ewekoro, Imeko Afon/Egbado North, Abeokuta North/Obafemi- Owode/Odeda, Egbado South and Ipokia

While some constituencies have been settled by way of consensus, others will slug it out after consensus arrangement failed. In Abeokuta North/Obafemi- Owode/Odeda, Olumide Osoba, who is the son of former Governor Olusegun Osoba, has been handed return ticket to represent the zone for the fourth time.

In Imeko-Afon/Yewa North, it was gathered that the occupant and three time former governorship candidate, Gboyega Nasiru Isiaka, has been picked as a consensus candidate.

However, in Ifo/Ewekoro Constituency where the Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Ibrahim Isiaka, represents, there are consensus arrangements in favour of Adijat Adeleye, the immediate past commissioner for Women Affairs. All the party leaders and stakeholders have adopted her, but the occupant seeking a fourth term is reportedly insisting on going for primaries. Sources told our correspondent that Rep Isiaka is under pressure to step down in agreement with the power shift demands, but he had not officially backed his opponent as at the time of this report.

In Abeokuta South, Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Ogun Waterside and Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo North, the incumbent Reps are facing serious battles to secure their tickets.

Aspirants speak on primaries

Former House of Representatives member, Mohammed Al-Makura, while awaiting the outcome of the APC screening exercise for Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency of Nasarawa State said he is equally watching and cannot say much about the primaries.

Al-Makura, who represented the constituency between 2003 and 2011, is seeking a return to the seat on the APC platform.

“I don’t have anything to say, still waiting to hear from the party as we expect positive outcome on the screening results and we expect to participate in the direct primaries adopted by the party in the state,” he said.

Another House of Representatives aspirant for Lafia/Obi Federal Constituency, Isaac Ali Kigbu, said he is hoping for a level playing field.

Speaking in an interview, Kigbu said aspirants were yet to receive clearance certificates following the screening exercise, a situation he said was creating uncertainty hours to the poll.

“Up till now, we are yet to get the clearance certificate, to know our fate for tomorrow’s (Saturday) primary,” he said.

Kigbu said he remained prepared for the contest despite the delay, noting that he was up to date as a party member and did not want to be caught unawares.

Asked what he would do if the final list did not meet his expectations, Kigbu expressed confidence that his name would appear on the list.

Injustice drove me out of APC – Ex-lawmaker

A former member of the Gombe State House of Assembly, Rambi Ibrahim Ayala, alleged that injustice and lack of internal democracy compelled him to defect from the APC.

Ayala, who represented Billiri East Constituency and served as Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, is seeking to represent Balanga/Billiri Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives under the PDP.

Speaking shortly after his screening at the PDP secretariat in Gombe, the aspirant said the consensus arrangement within the APC sidelined loyal party members in favour of new entrants.

He said the development exposed what he described as unfair treatment and disregard for due process within the ruling party.

“In Nigerian democracy, political parties are hardly built on ideology. Most political movements are driven by interests, and that is why defections are common,” he said.

Ayala alleged that individuals who recently joined the APC were given preference over long-standing members during the consensus process.

An aspirant for the APC ticket for Bauchi South Senatorial District election, who is also a former member of the House of Representative representing Bauchi Federal Constituency Yakubu Abdullahi, popularly known as Wakilin Birni, said stakeholders adopted direct primaries for all the three Senatorial and the 12 members of House Representative election in Bauchi

Abdullahi said that while the aspirants have already appointed their respective returning officers for the elections, “We were holding meetings with party executives when the information for the postponement of the House Representative election came.”

He added that the guidelines would also explain where the elections would hold even though the impression is that each of the senatorial districts may have it’s venue and House of Reps may hold in the federal consistency, “Only the guidelines would determine exactly where the elections venue would be.”

In Taraba, Kabiru Bello Bandawaire, an aspirant for the Taraba North Senatorial District seat, rejected the consensus arrangement, insisting on direct and transparent primaries.

Speaking with journalists on Friday in Jalingo, Bandawaire said his ambition was driven by the desire to represent the people, rather than serve government interests.

He argued that the consensus option undermines democratic principles and warned against any form of interference in the process by Governor Agbu Kefas.

According to him, democracy thrives when party members are allowed to freely choose their candidates through open primaries.

First and foremost, it is not about the government, it is about the people. I am representing the interest of the people.

“On this issue of consensus, I am not consenting to it at all. All I want is direct primaries, and direct primaries should be carried out under a transparent process. The beauty of democracy is that the majority is always welcome.” he said. (Daily Trust)

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