The All Progressives Congress (APC) will on Thursday begin primaries to elect its candidates for next year’s elections, starting with aspirants seeking House of Representatives tickets across the 360 federal constituencies.
As of Tuesday night, the party’s national secretariat was said to be coordinating reports from screening centres, while appeal committees considered petitions arising from the exercise.
“The process is tough, and the schedule is tight,” a member of the party’s National Working Committee who spoke with The Nation said.
The party, however, assured members that the primaries would proceed as scheduled despite logistical challenges.
Prominent APC lawmakers seeking return tickets include the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen; Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu; House Leader, Prof Julius Ihonvbere; spokesman, Akin Rotimi; Ado Doguwa; Chairman, House Committee on Finance, James Faleke; and former minister, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha.
Others include Chijioke Edoga, Leke Abejide, Bimbo Daramola, Kafilat Ogbara, Oluwole Oke and Donald Ojogo.
Some state lawmakers are also seeking to move to the House of Representatives, including Lagos Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, and Rivers Speaker, Martins Amaewhule.
APC Insists Timetable Stands
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said the date fixed for the primaries remained sacrosanct.
The screening of aspirants has set the stage for direct primaries and, in some cases, consensus arrangements.
According to the APC guidelines, direct primaries will be adopted where consensus arrangements fail.
A party source said all aspirants from Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Enugu and Rivers states were cleared.
“No aspirant was disqualified. I was part of the team that handled Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Enugu and Rivers states, and I am sure that all the aspirants were cleared.
“There was pressure to disqualify some, but the screening committee stood its ground,” the source said.
Committees Deployed To States
The NWC reportedly reviewed and ratified the screening reports on Tuesday and Wednesday, though the official results had not yet been formally gazetted.
Primary election committees have also been dispatched to the states to work with governors and party leaders for peaceful shadow elections.
“We have done everything possible for the primaries to be held as scheduled,” an NWC member said.
Morka said the remaining primaries would hold as follows: senatorial, May 18; House of Assembly, May 20; governorship, May 21; and presidential, May 23.
