The ruling All Progressives Congress has announced that its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election will emerge through a nationwide direct primary election scheduled to hold across all 8,809 wards in the country on Saturday, May 23.
The announcement was made in an official notice released on Thursday night by the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, who outlined the guidelines and structural framework for what party leaders described as one of the most significant internal electoral exercises in the history of the ruling party.
According to the notice, the primary election will involve registered party members voting directly at ward level to determine who flies the party’s flag in the next presidential election.
The high-profile contest is expected to feature incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and aspirant Stanley Osifo, who is challenging for the party’s presidential ticket.
The development has intensified political activities within the APC as party leaders, stakeholders and supporters across the federation prepare for the shadow poll.
Under the direct primary system adopted by the party, accredited APC members in every ward are expected to participate in the voting process rather than relying solely on delegates.
Party officials said the approach was aimed at deepening internal democracy and giving ordinary party members greater involvement in the selection of candidates.
The APC leadership explained that detailed logistical arrangements had already been concluded to ensure a smooth and transparent exercise across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the guidelines released by the party, electoral officers, returning officers and monitoring teams have been deployed to supervise the process and ensure compliance with party regulations.
Security agencies are also expected to monitor activities around the voting centres to maintain peace and prevent disruptions during the exercise.
Political observers say the direct primary could serve as a major test of the APC’s organisational strength and grassroots mobilisation capacity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
President Tinubu is widely seen as the frontrunner in the contest given his position as incumbent president and his strong influence within the party structure.
Over the past several months, various APC stakeholders, governors, lawmakers and support groups across different states have openly endorsed Tinubu for a second term in office.
Supporters of the president have argued that continuity is necessary to consolidate ongoing economic reforms, infrastructure development and governance initiatives being pursued by the administration.
However, the emergence of Stanley Osifo as a challenger has added a competitive dimension to the primary race, even as political analysts believe the outcome may further shape internal party dynamics ahead of the national election.
Although Osifo is considered less prominent within the national political space compared to the incumbent president, his participation is being viewed by some party members as evidence of the APC’s willingness to allow internal contest and democratic competition.
Party sources disclosed that aspirants participating in the primary were expected to adhere strictly to campaign regulations and avoid actions capable of causing division within the party.
The APC leadership also urged members to conduct themselves peacefully and accept the outcome of the exercise in the interest of party unity.
Senator Basiru, in the notice, reportedly assured party members that the national leadership remained committed to conducting a credible and transparent primary election acceptable to all stakeholders.
He stressed that adequate measures had been put in place to guarantee fairness and credibility during accreditation, voting and collation of results.
Political analysts noted that the adoption of direct primary elections by major political parties in recent years has continued to generate debate regarding cost, logistics, transparency and inclusiveness.
While supporters argue that the process empowers grassroots members, critics have raised concerns about the challenges of coordinating large-scale voting exercises across thousands of wards nationwide.
Nevertheless, APC leaders insist the party possesses the organisational structure necessary to conduct the exercise successfully.
Across several states, preparations intensified on Thursday as party officials distributed materials and coordinated arrangements ahead of Saturday’s poll.
Support groups loyal to both aspirants have also stepped up mobilisation efforts, with campaign activities and consultations continuing among party faithful nationwide.
The outcome of the primary is expected to formally determine the APC’s standard-bearer for the 2027 presidential election, a contest that is already attracting significant national attention.
As anticipation builds, political observers say the exercise could play a crucial role in shaping the future direction of the ruling All Progressives Congress and the broader political landscape in Nigeria ahead of the next general elections.
