The All Progressives Congress (APC) has formally released guidelines and set up committees for its 2026 presidential primaries, confirming the adoption of a direct primary system that will allow all registered members of the party to participate across the country.
According to a document issued by the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, the presidential primary will be conducted simultaneously in all 8,809 wards nationwide on May 24, 2026.
The process is designed to ensure broad internal participation, with every registered member of the party eligible to vote for their preferred aspirant.
The party further explained that results from ward-level voting will be collated at local government centres before being transmitted to the national collation centre in Abuja for final aggregation and announcement.
To ensure effective coordination, the exercise will be supervised in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by appointed state coordinators and collation officers designated by the party leadership.
The APC also confirmed that its earlier guidelines on the “Procedure for the Conduct of Direct and Consensus Mode of Primaries,” already submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (Independent National Electoral Commission) on May 15, 2026, will also govern the presidential primary process.
Anyim heads presidential primary committee
Former Senate President, Senator Pius Anyim, has been appointed chairman of the Presidential Primary Election Committee.
Other members of the committee include former Senate President Ken Nnamani, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, former Deputy Governor Grace Titi Laoye-Ponle, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, and former Governor Idris Wada. Senator Sanusi Musa will serve as secretary.
In addition, a Presidential Primary Election Appeal Committee has been constituted, with former Senate Leader Senator Ali Ndume as chairman. The committee also includes Samuel Pwajok as secretary and Patricia Etteh as a member.
Governors appointed as state coordinators
Several serving and former governors have been assigned roles as state coordinators and collation officers for the exercise across the federation.
Among them is Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, alongside Governor Hope Uzodimma, Governor Umo Eno, Governor Douye Diri, Governor Hyacinth Alia, Governor Babagana Zulum, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and Governor Francis Nwifuru.
Others include Governor Monday Okpebholo, Governor Peter Mbah, Governor Umar Namadi, and Governor Uba Sani.
Also listed are Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Governor Agbu Kefas, Governor Dauda Lawal, and former Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
APC clarifies operational framework
The party stated that each state coordinator will oversee the conduct of the direct primary within their jurisdiction, supervise collation at local government level, and transmit final results to the Presidential Primary Election Committee in Abuja on May 24, 2026.
It further noted that all processes will operate in line with its previously issued internal guidelines, ensuring consistency with regulations submitted to the electoral body.
The development marks a significant step in the party’s preparation for its 2026 presidential ticket race, with expectations that the direct primary model could intensify internal mobilisation and widen participation across party structures nationwide.
