NEWS
APC 2027 Primaries: Uzodimma, Fubara, Sarafadeen Alli Among 30 Governors Cleared as Petitions Stall Release of Screening Report, Consensus Talks Intensify Across Key States
Thirty governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress, including Hope Uzodimma, Siminalayi Fubara, and former Oyo State Secretary to the Government Sarafadeen Alli, have reportedly been cleared for the party’s primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Party sources confirmed the development but disclosed that a wave of petitions submitted against several aspirants has delayed the official release of the screening report.
The APC had earlier announced plans to publish the names of cleared aspirants on May 13 as part of preparations to meet the timetable released by Independent National Electoral Commission.
The party reportedly screened no fewer than 2,980 aspirants for various elective positions across the country, including one presidential slot, 28 governorship positions, 109 Senate seats, 360 House of Representatives seats, and 991 state assembly positions.
Despite the earlier schedule, the screening report had not been officially released as of late Wednesday night, fueling tension and speculation within party circles.
A senior APC official disclosed that the leadership of the party was still reviewing the report carefully to ensure all petitions and complaints were adequately addressed before publication.
“We are still working on the screening report to make sure everything goes well,” the source said.
When reminded that May 13 was almost over, the source responded, “The day is not over.”
The official further revealed that different screening panels received multiple petitions against aspirants seeking various positions within the party structure.
“For instance, one of the panels received 10 petitions and the petitions have to be treated on their merit,” the source added.
The party source also dismissed widespread reports claiming that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had been disqualified from the exercise.
“Nooo! No governor has been booted out. The party has always supported its governors. Some of them like Uzodimma got automatic clearance,” the source stated.
According to party insiders, the APC leadership is currently pushing for consensus arrangements in several states in a bid to prevent post-primary legal battles, internal wranglings, and deep divisions that could weaken the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, the party is reportedly prepared to conduct direct primaries in states where consensus arrangements fail, in line with provisions of the Electoral Act.
“We know some of the high-profile aspirants don’t want to consent and are ready to go to court. We don’t want that,” another source disclosed.
Meanwhile, fresh concerns have reportedly emerged around the governorship ambition of former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, who is seeking the APC governorship ticket in Oyo State.
According to another party source, the former minister may face difficulties during the clearance process due to unresolved issues surrounding his candidacy.
The source, however, confirmed that Sarafadeen Alli has already secured strong backing from the party leadership ahead of the primaries.
In Ogun State, the battle for the Ogun East senatorial ticket between Governor Dapo Abiodun and Senator Gbenga Daniel remains unresolved, with ongoing efforts to broker a consensus arrangement yet to produce any breakthrough.
According to party insiders, tensions remain high between both political camps as negotiations continue behind closed doors.
“The matter has not been settled. Daniel is not ready to consent to consensus,” the source said.