Thousands of aspirants seeking to contest the 2027 general elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors, senators and federal lawmakers, are expected to know their fate today as the ruling party prepares to publish the final list of cleared aspirants.
Key Highlights:
- APC to release final list of cleared aspirants for 2027 elections
- President Bola Tinubu screened for presidential ticket alongside challenger Osifo Stanley
- Over 2,900 aspirants screened for various elective positions
- Hope Uzodimma, Benjamin Kalu, Gbenga Daniel among key aspirants awaiting clearance
- APC leadership warns against violence and anti-party activities during primaries
- Party under pressure over direct primaries and alleged imposition fears
- Aspirants contesting governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and Assembly seats affected
Sources within the party disclosed that no fewer than 2,980 aspirants were screened for various positions, including one presidential slot, 28 governorship positions, 109 Senate seats, 360 House of Representatives positions, and 991 State Assembly tickets.
The APC reportedly granted President Tinubu a waiver during the screening exercise conducted between May 8 and May 12, 2026.
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Among those awaiting the outcome of the screening process is Osifo Stanley, the only aspirant challenging Tinubu for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
Also awaiting clearance are prominent political figures including Hope Uzodimma, House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, former Ogun State governor Gbenga Daniel, and former Gombe State governor Ibrahim Dankwambo.
Party insiders revealed that the APC leadership is facing pressure to persuade Governor Uzodimma to reconsider his senatorial ambition for Imo West, amid concerns that it could trigger political complications within the state.
Observers noted that if Uzodimma contests, wins the Senate seat, and remains governor until January 2028, it could create constitutional and political controversies over holding overlapping mandates.
In Ogun State, Senator Gbenga Daniel is reportedly locked in a fierce political battle with Governor Dapo Abiodun over the Ogun East senatorial ticket.
Similarly, Gombe State Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya is said to be contesting for a senatorial seat against his predecessor, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who is seeking the APC governorship ticket in Abia State, is also awaiting the outcome of the screening process following recent allegations questioning aspects of his academic and national service records.
Meanwhile, Ogun State Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele is facing stiff competition from former Senator Gbolahan Dada and former Commissioner for Works, Olayiwola Taiwo, for the APC ticket in Ogun West Senatorial District.
The screening exercise comes amid rising tensions within the ruling party, with many aspirants reportedly insisting on direct primaries while rejecting consensus arrangements.
Some party members have also threatened legal action and protests over alleged plans to impose candidates.
Reacting to the growing tension, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda warned aspirants and supporters against violence and anti-party activities during the primaries.
In a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda stressed that the party would not tolerate actions capable of disrupting the primary election process.
“The leadership of the party will not tolerate any act capable of disrupting the smooth conduct of the primaries,” the statement said.
He warned that any aspirant or supporter found sponsoring violence, inciting unrest, or undermining the integrity of the primaries could face disciplinary measures, including immediate suspension from the party.
