The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially announced the appointment of Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara and several other serving and former governors as state coordinators and collation officers for the party’s upcoming presidential primary election. The party has adopted a direct primary system, allowing all registered APC members nationwide to participate in the exercise. The primary is scheduled to take place across all 8,809 wards in Nigeria on May 24, 2026. This move marks a significant shift in the party’s internal electoral process, emphasizing inclusivity and grassroots participation.
According to a document issued by the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, each state’s primary will be overseen by a designated State Coordinator and Collation Officer. These officials will be responsible for organizing the primary in their respective states and ensuring that results from all local governments are accurately collated. The final results from each state must be submitted to the Presidential Primary Election Committee in Abuja on the same day as the primary, May 24, 2026. The document also confirms that the party’s previously issued guidelines for conducting direct and consensus primaries will remain applicable, with necessary adjustments.
Governor Sim Fubara, who has been actively involved in APC’s recent political activities, will serve as the coordinator for Rivers State. Other governors, both current and former, have also been assigned similar roles in their states, reflecting the party’s strategy to leverage experienced leaders in managing the primary process. This approach is expected to enhance credibility and reduce the likelihood of disputes during the election.
The APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, signed the official document, which was issued under reference number APC/NHDQ/INEC/PRYS-DOCS/01-05/26 and dated May 15, 2026. The document was also sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as part of the party’s transparency efforts. The party’s decision to conduct a direct primary is seen as a response to growing demands for democratic participation within the party structure.
By involving all registered members in the selection of its presidential candidate, the APC aims to strengthen internal unity and ensure a fair, transparent process. The use of state governors as coordinators is expected to bring local-level expertise and authority to the management of the primary. As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, this primary will be a crucial step in shaping the party’s national campaign strategy. The outcome will influence the APC’s chances in the upcoming presidential race and could set a precedent for future internal elections.
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