2027: APC commences primaries today as confusion trails Fubara’s clearance

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will today commence primaries for the House of Representatives ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the party’s timetable for the 2027 polls, the APC will conduct its senatorial primaries on May 18, governorship primaries on May 21, State Houses of Assembly primaries on May 20, while the presidential primary is scheduled for May 23, 2026.

However, confusion has continued to trail the exercise as aspirants for various positions have complained that the party has not yet released the final list of cleared aspirants in areas where consensus arrangements failed, fueling speculations over possible disqualifications.

Some aspirants have described the development as unusual and capable of creating uncertainty within the party ahead of the exercises.

Meanwhile, controversy has also intensified over whether Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers State governor,  has been cleared to participate in the APC governorship primary slated for May 21.

While reports in some quarters claimed that the Rivers State governor had been secretly cleared for the contest, top APC officials who spoke with BusinessDay on Thursday night said there were strong moves within the party to deny him a return ticket.

A senior party official alleged that the recent visit by Nyesom Wike to APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, was connected to efforts to block Fubara’s second-term ambition.

“The APC leadership is scheming not to grant Fubara a second-term ticket. This is connected to his prolonged political feud with Wike, which is already public knowledge,” the source said.

However, another party source insisted that the APC leadership had resolved not to deny any first-term governor seeking re-election the opportunity to contest.

“What I can confirm is that the governor has been cleared and will participate in the primary,” the source added.

Fubara had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC following his protracted political rift with Wike over the control of political structures and governance in Rivers State.

Speaking after the governor’s defection, Yilwatda had stated that if Fubara secures the APC governorship ticket, the party would support his re-election bid in 2027.