The All Progressives Congress screening exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections recorded the absence of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, even as the ruling party screened over 14 governors and President Bola Tinubu’s only challenger for its presidential ticket.
As reported by PUNCH, the exercise, which began on May 8, is expected to conclude on Saturday, with the APC preparing for a series of primaries in line with the Electoral Act 2025.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that the party commenced the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms on April 28 and closed the process on May 6.
The APC has adopted both consensus and direct primary modes for the elections, while the primaries are scheduled to begin with the House of Representatives on May 15, followed by the Senate on May 18, State Houses of Assembly on May 20, governorship on May 21, and the presidential primary on May 23.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had fixed January 16, 2027, for presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and State Assembly polls are slated for February 6, 2027.
INEC also directed political parties to conclude their primaries and settle disputes arising from them between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
The APC screening committee for governors is headed by the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, with the National Secretary, Surajudeen Basiru, serving as secretary.
Among the governors screened were Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf; Gombe State Governor, Inuwa Yahaya; Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris; Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang; and Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia.
Others included Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru; Niger State Governor, Umar Bago; Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu; Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal; and Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu.
A senior APC official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that more than 14 governors had undergone screening as of Saturday.
“So far, we have screened over 14 governors and the exercise is still ongoing,” the source said.
Speaking after his screening, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, described the process as seamless and commended the party leadership for fostering unity between governors and the National Working Committee.
He also defended Tinubu’s administration, saying the country was witnessing gradual economic improvement despite prevailing challenges.
“There is light at the end of the tunnel. Nigerians know the President needs to return to consolidate on the achievements recorded so far,” Eno stated.
Meanwhile, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Bauchi State governorship aspirant, Yusuf Tuggar, expressed doubts over the possibility of consensus in the APC governorship race in the state.
According to him, the growing number of aspirants purchasing nomination forms at the last minute could complicate efforts to reach an agreement.
He urged the APC leadership to ensure credible aspirants emerge and guard against manipulations capable of undermining the primary process.
“This time will be different if my party fields me as its candidate,” Tuggar said, adding that changes in the Electoral Act had reduced opportunities for last-minute defections and political manoeuvring.
Also speaking, Kwara State governorship aspirant, Abdul Fatai Yahya, said he was prepared for any method of primary adopted by the party.
Tinubu’s sole challenger for the APC presidential ticket, Stanley Osifo, also confirmed his participation in the screening exercise, describing the process as thorough but fair.
Osifo disclosed that he was questioned on why he decided to contest against the incumbent President despite the party leadership’s endorsement of Tinubu.
“I answered all the questions asked during the screening. The process was rigorous but fair,” he said.
The presidential aspirant maintained that he remained committed to the race and had not considered stepping down.
Governors seeking senatorial seats, including Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, were also screened by the committee.
However, the absence of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, generated fresh political speculation.
Fubara, who has been locked in a prolonged political battle with his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, reportedly obtained APC nomination forms through proxies despite opposition from Wike’s camp.
Addressing concerns over the governor’s absence, APC National Chairman and screening committee chairman, Yilwatda, said some governors were excused due to official engagements in their states.
“Three governors have not come. They are chief executives with responsibilities in their various states.
Whenever they are free within the stipulated period, the committee will provide a slot for them,” he said.
Meanwhile, reports indicated that some Rivers political figures, including House of Representatives member Awaj-Inombek Abiante and former Commissioner for Education, Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, purchased nomination forms for Fubara.
There were also claims that the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, obtained an APC governorship form despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Speaking on a Port Harcourt-based radio station, Gogo-Jaja alleged that Chinda’s name appeared among those who purchased governorship forms on the APC platform.
“I saw his name among those who bought the governorship form,” he claimed.