LAGOS — Thirty governors and leading aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and former Oyo State Secretary to the State Government, Sarafadeen Alli, have been cleared for the party’s primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Party sources confirmed the development on Wednesday, noting however that the release of the screening report has been delayed due to a surge of petitions arising from the exercise.
As part of preparations to meet the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable for the polls, the APC had earlier announced that it would publish the list of cleared aspirants on May 13.
Vanguard gathered that the party screened no fewer than 2,980 aspirants across various elective positions, including one presidential slot, 28 governorship seats, 109 Senate seats, 360 House of Representatives positions, and 991 state assembly tickets.
However, as of press time, the party was yet to release the final screening report.
A senior party official explained that the delay was due to the need to carefully review petitions submitted from the eight screening panels.
“We are still working on the screening report to ensure everything is properly handled,” the source said. “The day is not over,” he added when reminded of the May 13 deadline.
According to the source, several panels received multiple petitions that must be examined on their merits. “For instance, one of the panels received about 10 petitions, and each has to be addressed properly,” he said.
On reports suggesting that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara had been disqualified, the party dismissed the claim.
“No governor has been disqualified,” the source said. “The party has always supported its governors. Some, like Uzodimma, even received automatic clearance.”
The source further disclosed that the party leadership is favouring consensus arrangements as a first option to reduce internal disputes ahead of the primaries. Where consensus fails, however, direct primaries will be conducted in line with the Electoral Act.
“We know some high-profile aspirants may not accept consensus and could go to court. We are trying to avoid that,” the official added.
Another party source said former Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu, who is interested in the Oyo State governorship ticket, may face clearance challenges.
In contrast, Sarafadeen Alli was said to have secured clearance and enjoys strong backing within the party structure.
Meanwhile, tensions remain over the Ogun East senatorial ticket, with Governor Dapo Abiodun and Senator Gbenga Daniel reportedly locked in a contest. Party insiders say the matter is yet to be resolved, as Daniel is opposed to the proposed consensus arrangement.
Separately, the Ogun State Government has criticised Senator Gbenga Daniel over recent remarks accusing Governor Abiodun of neglecting Ijebuland and undermining federal projects.
Daniel, during his Midterm Assessment and Empowerment Tour in Ijebu Ode, alleged that the state government frustrated key development projects, including the proposed Dangote Refinery project and a naval base in Abigi.
However, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated, describing them as the actions of a politician struggling with declining influence within the APC.
