Three prominent politicians in the All Progressives Congress (APC) have rejected any form of candidate imposition ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the party must conduct transparent, competitive and credible primary elections.
The APC chieftains are a former member of the House of Representatives and Adamawa governorship aspirant, Abdulrazak Namdas; Zamfara North senatorial aspirant, Sani Shinkafi; and former senator representing Ekiti North Senatorial District, Ayo Arise.
NewsWatch Nigeria reports that the trio spoke separately after submitting their Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, maintaining that aspirants should be allowed to test their popularity before party members rather than being forced into consensus arrangements.
No imposition In Adamawa APC – Namdas Declares
Namdas, a former spokesperson for the House of Representatives, said he was confident that the APC would not impose any candidate in Adamawa State.
The former Chairman of the House Committee on Army said President Bola Tinubu, the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, had all assured aspirants that the process would be open.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, after submitting his forms, Namdas urged politicians to prepare for a competitive contest instead of relying on consensus arrangements.
He said, “There is no issue of imposition as far as I am concerned. The leaders of the party at the national level, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the national chairman of the party, and the governor, who is also a party leader at the state level, have assured us that there will be no imposition.
“I have no cause to fear. We are politicians and have presented ourselves before the public, which is why we were elected in the past. So, I can tell you that in Adamawa State, there will be no imposition.
“Leaders will give us the opportunity to contest. If we are called for consensus, that does not mean we will not participate in the process. If we agree among ourselves, fine. If we do not agree, we go for a contest.”
Namdas said his experience in the National Assembly had prepared him for executive responsibility, adding that his eight years in the legislature gave him the exposure and understanding needed to govern effectively.
He expressed confidence that he had the capacity to lead Adamawa State if given the party’s ticket and elected governor.
Shinkafi Demands Direct Primary In Zamfara
In Zamfara State, Shinkafi, who is seeking the APC ticket for Zamfara North Senatorial District, insisted that the party must adopt a direct primary election to choose its candidate.
Shinkafi, who also addressed journalists after submitting his nomination forms on Tuesday, criticised the performance of representatives from the three senatorial zones in the state, saying they had done little in terms of effective legislation and attracting federal presence.
He alleged that Zamfara North had not benefited meaningfully from federal government projects under the current representation.
According to him, the people of the district are ready for a change in 2027.
He said, “This is the time for change, a new beginning in the senatorial district. We are tired of political slavery, and it is time for us to break free from that political captivity.”
Shinkafi rejected the idea of consensus, saying he would not step down for any aspirant.
He said he was determined to exercise his rights under the Electoral Act and allow party members to decide who should fly the APC flag.
He added, “Therefore, we must go for direct primaries. Whoever wins carries the day. There are about eight of us contesting, and the current occupant has been there for 16 years. This is inequality, injustice, and clear marginalisation.
“We cannot continue like this. There must be a power shift among the local governments.”
Meanwhile, Senator Ayo Arise declared his intention to return to the Senate to represent Ekiti North Senatorial District in 2027.
Arise said his decision followed calls from constituents who, according to him, believe he still has much to offer the district.
He said his previous tenure between 2007 and 2011 produced notable achievements, including his role in the establishment and expansion of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti.
The former lawmaker said the institution had helped to boost education, commerce and general development across the district.
Arise also called for a transparent primary election, saying the APC must give all aspirants a level playing field.
He said his experience in the Senate placed him in a strong position to represent the district effectively, adding that he would focus on infrastructure, economic growth and ensuring that his constituents benefit more from national opportunities.
NewsWatch Nigeria reports that the APC began the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms on April 28, with the exercise expected to close by midnight on May 6.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for Saturday, January 16, 2027.
Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled to hold on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
INEC also stated that party primaries and the resolution of related disputes would take place between April 23 and May 30, 2026.
Campaigns for the Presidential and National Assembly elections are expected to begin on August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and state assembly elections will commence on September 9, 2026.
