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Author: Gist Correspondent

Governors, lawmakers and other aspirants seeking to contest the 2027 general elections under the All Progressives Congress (APC) will know their fate today as the party publishes the list of cleared candidates.

No fewer than 30 governors, 88 senators, 242 members of the House of Representatives, President Bola Tinubu’s sole challenger for the presidential ticket, Osifo Stanley, and about 2,620 other aspirants are awaiting the outcome of the screening exercise.

The party reportedly screened a total of 2,980 aspirants for various positions, including one presidential ticket, 28 governorship seats, 109 Senate seats, 360 House of Representatives seats, and 991 state assembly positions, in line with the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Among those screened between May 8 and 12 were serving and former governors, federal lawmakers, and technocrats who had purchased and submitted expression of interest and nomination forms. The screening panel also granted President Tinubu a waiver.

Attention is particularly focused on Osifo Stanley, the only aspirant challenging Tinubu for the party’s presidential ticket, whose political future will become clearer with today’s publication.

Also awaiting confirmation are several prominent figures, including Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Ogun East Senator Gbenga Daniel, former Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, and other high-profile aspirants.

Uzodimma, who currently serves as Imo State governor, Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, and leader of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, is among those whose ambitions have generated political discussion within the party. There are reports of internal pressure for him to reconsider his senatorial aspiration, amid concerns about possible constitutional and political complications.

In Ogun State, Senator Gbenga Daniel is contesting the APC ticket for Ogun East, while Governor Dapo Abiodun is also reportedly involved in the race for the same senatorial seat, setting up a tense contest. Similarly, in Gombe State, Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya is challenging his predecessor, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, for a Senate seat.

In Abia State, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who is vying for the governorship ticket, is also among those awaiting the outcome of the screening process. In Ogun West senatorial district, Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele faces competition from former Senator Gbolahan Dada and ex-Works Commissioner Olayiwola Taiwo.

As tensions rise over the mode of primaries, with many aspirants favouring direct primaries over consensus arrangements, APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda has warned against indiscipline.

In a statement, he cautioned that the party would not tolerate any action capable of disrupting the primaries. He stressed that aspirants or supporters found engaging in violence, sponsoring unrest, participating in anti-party activities, or undermining the integrity of the process would face strict disciplinary measures, including suspension.

The publication of the cleared list today is expected to shape the internal political dynamics of the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.