The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has adopted the direct primary system for its 2026 presidential primary election, paving the way for all registered party members to participate in selecting the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 presidential election.
The party said voting will be conducted simultaneously across 8,809 wards nationwide, with results collated from ward level through local governments and states to the national collation centre in Abuja.
The decision followed the completion of the screening of presidential aspirants as part of the party’s ongoing nationwide primary elections, which began with House of Representatives primaries last Friday.
The APC had earlier conducted Senate primaries on Monday and is proceeding with state assembly, governorship and presidential contests in phases across the country.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party announced the adoption of detailed guidelines and the inauguration of committees to oversee the exercise.
The guidelines, signed by APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, said the arrangement aligns with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
Under the framework, all registered APC members will be eligible to vote for their preferred aspirant in their respective wards.
The presidential race currently has two aspirants — President Bola Tinubu and Edo-based trader Stanley Osifo.
According to the guidelines, ward results will be collated at local government level before being transmitted to state coordinators and then forwarded to the Presidential Primary Election Committee in Abuja on May 24.
The APC appointed former Senate President Pius Anyim as chairman of the Presidential Primary Election Committee.
Other members include former Senate President Ken Nnamani, former Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, former Kogi State Governor Idris Wada and former Kwara deputy governor Grace Titi Laoye-Ponle.
The committee secretary is Sanusi Musa.
For the appeal committee, the party appointed former Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari as chairman, while Samuel Piwuna will serve as secretary. Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Patricia Etteh was also listed as a member.
The party also named coordinators and collation officers across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Among those appointed are Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma, Kwara Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, Adamawa Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Kano Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Coordinating Minister of Health Muhammad Ali Pate.
Others include former Osun Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, former Oyo governorship candidate Teslim Folarin, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and former FCT senator Phillip Aduda.
The APC said the coordinators will oversee the conduct of the direct primaries in their respective states and ensure compliance with party guidelines.
