Fubara Named APC Presidential Primary Coordinator After Rivers Withdrawal Drama

Lawal, Alia, Bago, Uba Sani, Hamzat secure APC governorship tickets as party intensifies preparations for 2027 elections

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By A1NEWS International / May 21, 2026

ABUJA —The All Progressives Congress has unveiled guidelines for its 2026 presidential primary election, adopting a direct primary mode that will allow all registered party members nationwide to vote for their preferred presidential aspirants.

The party also announced the appointment of several governors and senior political figures as state coordinators and collation officers for the exercise, while simultaneously concluding governorship primaries across several states ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Among those named coordinators is Siminalayi Fubara, despite his recent withdrawal from the APC governorship primary race in Rivers State.

APC Adopts Direct Primary Across 8,809 Wards

According to a document issued by the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, the presidential primary election will hold on May 24, 2026, across the country’s 8,809 wards.

The party stated that all registered APC members would be eligible to participate in the exercise.

Under the guidelines, results from each ward will be collated at the local government level before final transmission to the national collation centre in Abuja.

The APC noted that the conduct of the exercise in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory would be supervised by designated state coordinators and collation officers appointed by the party leadership.

The document, signed by APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, added that previously approved procedures on direct and consensus primaries already forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission on May 15, 2026, would apply to the presidential exercise.

Anyim Heads Presidential Primary Committee

Former Senate President Pius Anyim was named chairman of the APC Presidential Primary Election Committee.

Other members include former Senate President Ken Nnamani, Victor Ndoma-Egba, former Deputy Governor Grace Titi Laoye-Ponle, former Speaker Yakubu Dogara, former Kogi governor Idris Wada, while Senator Sanusi Musa will serve as secretary.

The party also constituted a Presidential Primary Election Appeal Committee headed by former Senate Leader Ali Ndume.

Governors Named State Coordinators

Several serving governors were assigned supervisory responsibilities for the presidential primary exercise in their respective states.

Those listed include Hope Uzodimma, Umo Eno, Douye Diri, Hyacinth Alia, Babagana Zulum, Sheriff Oborevwori, Francis Nwifuru, Monday Okpebholo, Peter Mbah, Umar Namadi, Uba Sani, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mohammed Umar Bago, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Caleb Mutfwang, Agbu Kefas and Dauda Lawal.

Former Osun governor Adegboyega Oyetola was also appointed.

APC Governorship Primaries Produce Key Candidates

Meanwhile, the APC governorship primaries conducted across several states produced a mix of returning governors and new entrants ahead of the 2027 elections.

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In Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal emerged through consensus after unanimous endorsement by party members.

Dikko Radda also secured the APC governorship ticket in Katsina State through affirmation by delegates.

In Niger State, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago emerged as sole candidate after delegates from 277 wards endorsed him.

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani reportedly secured 459,393 affirmation votes during the primaries.

In Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia defeated rivals Pastor Terwase Orbunde and Jeffrey Kuranun after polling 367,786 votes across the state.

Hamzat Emerges Lagos APC Governorship Candidate

In Lagos State, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat emerged as the APC governorship candidate after polling 657,917 votes to defeat Olanrewaju Jim-Kamal.

The APC Returning Officer, retired General Jonathan Temlong, described the exercise as peaceful and orderly across the state’s 245 wards.

In Gombe State, Jamilu Gwamna emerged as the party’s flagbearer following direct primaries conducted across 114 wards.

Rivers Primaries Overshadowed by Withdrawals

The Rivers State APC primaries witnessed dramatic withdrawals after Governor Fubara, former governorship candidate Tonye Cole and aspirant Alabo George-Kelly stepped down from the race.

Fubara said his withdrawal was motivated by the need to preserve peace, unity, and stability in Rivers State.

“My silence over this period was deliberate and strategic, guided always by the higher interest of our state and our people,” the governor stated.

Political analysts believe the withdrawals reflect ongoing negotiations and reconciliation efforts within the Rivers APC following the prolonged political feud between Fubara and Nyesom Wike.

APC Reschedules Primaries in Bauchi, Kwara

The APC also announced the postponement of governorship primaries in Bauchi and Kwara states to Friday, May 22, 2026.

According to the party’s National Working Committee, the rescheduling became necessary to ensure a transparent and credible process.

The APC’s adoption of a nationwide direct primary system marks a major political test for the ruling party as it prepares for the 2027 general elections. With several governors securing second-term tickets and internal political realignments reshaping states like Rivers, the party now faces the challenge of balancing internal consensus with growing political competition ahead of the presidential race.