APC Reviews Primary Disputes, Finalises Candidates As Governors Move To Meet Yilwatda Ahead Of 2027

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded the review of petitions arising from its nationwide primary elections, confirming that the outcomes in several constituencies were altered following the party's internal appeal process.

The party also disclosed that its governors have resolved to engage the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, in a bid to strengthen internal cohesion and address lingering grievances ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking after a meeting of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) in Abuja, Chairman of the forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, said the governors undertook a comprehensive assessment of the party's primaries, alongside its performance in the recent Ekiti State governorship election and several by-elections.

According to Uzodimma, the governors agreed on the need for closer collaboration with the party's national leadership to consolidate the APC's electoral gains and prepare for the next phase of its campaign activities.

"We reviewed the outcome of the primaries across the federation, the Ekiti governorship election and the various by-elections where our party performed impressively," he said.

"The results from these outings are encouraging as we look toward the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections."

He added that the forum resolved to engage the National Working Committee (NWC), led by Yilwatda, to harmonise campaign strategies, strengthen party structures and promote reconciliation among aggrieved members.

Beyond electoral matters, Uzodimma said the governors also deliberated on governance and the country's socio-economic challenges.

"We have resolved to work towards solving the challenges facing our democratic space and ensuring that our people are better off. Our ultimate commitment is to ensure that Nigerians benefit more from APC-led administrations," he stated.

The governors meeting followed widespread concerns over the conduct of the party's primaries, which were characterised in some states by allegations of candidate imposition, irregular voting procedures and disputes over delegate lists. In several constituencies, dissatisfied aspirants threatened legal action or defection from the ruling party.

Meanwhile, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, confirmed that the party received more than 700 petitions from aggrieved members after the primaries.

According to him, the National Working Committee conducted a detailed review of the petitions based on recommendations submitted by the party's appeal committee.

"For those aggrieved, we took our time to undertake a very thorough review of all the petitions that came after the primaries. There were over 700 petitions that were received and properly vetted," Morka said.

He explained that while many petitions were unsuccessful, others resulted in changes to the outcomes in some constituencies.

"Some were successful and some were not. Those successful led to some corrections in some constituencies. Those that were not successful meant that those earlier declared were retained. In a few cases, there were upsets based on the outcome of the petitions and decisions were made on them," he added.

Morka said the appeal process has now been concluded, stressing that the party's current list of candidates represents its final position.

According to him, the immediate priority is to ensure all validly nominated candidates complete and submit their Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Form EC9 for upload to the electoral body's nomination portal before the deadline.

"We have gone past that. The people today who are filling the forms are those who emerged originally without challenge and those who emerged out of the appeal process. This is the final position of the review," he said.

He added that although the APC would eventually publish its list of candidates, the party is currently focused on ensuring all nominees complete the documentation process within INEC's stipulated timeframe.

"The priority of the party now is to have all our candidates fill and complete their INEC nomination forms and upload same on the INEC platform. Those who are our candidates already know themselves, and they are interacting with the party leadership to ensure a smooth process," Morka said.

The meeting of the Progressive Governors Forum was attended by governors from several APC-controlled states, including Ekiti, Zamfara, Taraba, Lagos, Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Kebbi, Akwa Ibom and Borno.

The latest moves by both the governors and the party leadership are seen as part of broader efforts to reconcile aggrieved members, preserve party unity and strengthen the APC's position ahead of the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.