. As APC denies move to reserve nomination forms for Tinubu, others
. Party adopts direct, consensus modes of primaries, sends updated membership list to INEC
CYRIL MBAH, Abuja
Senator Gbenga Daniel’s loyalists on Thursday described the senatorial endorsement of Gov. Dapo Abiodun as a “kangaroo arrangement”.
The loyalists, known as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Otunba Gbenga Daniel (BATOGD) Movement, alleged that the endorsement lacked adequate consultation and due process within the party structure.
The movement’s Deputy Director-General, Mr Tayo Onayemi, at a news conference in Sagamu, maintained that the procedure was not recognised in the party’s constitution.
According to him, the constitution only recognises procedures such as consensus backed by the written consent of all aspirants or direct primaries.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that APC leaders and stakeholders in Ogun East Senatorial District had endorsed Abiodun as their consensus candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.
The endorsement was announced on Monday at a stakeholders’ meeting held at Adeola Odutola Hall, Ijebu-Ode.
Onayemi, however, argued that any endorsement outside the constitutional provisions remained invalid and unacceptable.
He also alleged that Daniel, a former Ogun governor, was prevented from entering the venue of the purported APC Ogun East caucus meeting, which, according to him, excluded key stakeholders.
He reaffirmed the movement’s commitment to party unity and urged the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC to intervene and ensure due process was followed.
“There is nothing like endorsement in the Electoral Act recently signed into law by the president.
“What we have is consensus by agreement or direct primaries; anything short of this is null and void.
“As far as Sen. Gbenga Daniel is concerned, he is a principled party man who will always abide by the rules and ethics of the party.
“We are confident that the APC, as a disciplined party, will uphold its rules and ensure justice is done,” he said.
Earlier, the Director-General of BATOGD, Mr Olumuyiwa Okunowo, also dismissed the outcome of the Ogun East APC stakeholders’ meeting held in Ijebu-Ode.
Okunowo alleged that several key stakeholders, including Daniel, were invited with the impression that the meeting was an official senatorial caucus gathering.
He further claimed that Daniel and his supporters were, however, denied access to the venue, raising concerns about exclusion and manipulation within the party.
“We are running a democracy, and we are law-abiding citizens.
“We have absolute trust in the capacity and assurances of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to do what is right, fair and just,” he said.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has adjusted its recently released timetable for state, local government, national assembly and presidential congress elections, stating that the party has firmly prepared itself and ready ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Addressing newsmen after the 186th National Working Committee meeting of the party in Abuja on Thursday, Hon Duro Meseko, Deputy National Publicity Secretary stated that the party adjusted the dates to properly alllign the party’s pre-election activities with the guidelines published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He denied that the party may have been pressured to effect the changes, stating also that it was not acting to please anyone as speculated in some quarters.
The party explained that no forms will be reserved only for the President, Bola Tinubu or other individuals seeking to contest or occupy elective positions, stating that from president to councillors, people are free to purchase forms and appear for screening.
The party also stated that the completed updated membership register, including the names of newly registered APC members, have been transmitted to the INEC in keeping with the Electoral Law as amended.
Hon. Meseko disclosed that the NWC adopted and has directed states to chose either direct or consensus modes of primaries for inclusiveness and peace in the party saying that both methods are approved by the electoral laws.
Assisted by Hon. Tolu Bankole, leader PWD, the spokesperson of the APC stated that the NWC tinkered with the dates for governorship and National Assembly primaries and also adjusted dates for primary election petition hearings.
“We now have a new revised timetable in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, the Electoral Act 2026, and the INEC revised timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
“According to the revised timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2027 general elections, From today, you will see this in the news, and it has been properly communicated to INEC in line with the existing rules of the game.
“I will quickly go through the new revised timetable, which will be made available to you later.
“Notice had already been given to state chapters on Monday, 20th April. Sales of forms will commence this Saturday, 25th April to Saturday, 2nd May, 2026.
“The last day for submission of completed forms and accompanying documents is now Monday, 4th May, 2026.
Screening of aspirants—House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, and Presidential—will hold as follows: Wednesday, 6th May to Friday, 8th May, 2026, for House of Assembly, House o Representatives, Senate, and Governorship screening respectively.
Saturday, 9th May, 2026, is the screening for Presidential aspirants.
Publication of screening results for State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, and Presidential will hold on Monday, 11th May, 2026.
“Screening appeals will be handled by the appeal committees from Tuesday, 12th May to Wednesday, 13th May, 2026, for State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, Governorship, and Presidential.
“Primary elections of the All Progressives Congress commence as follows: Friday, 15th May, 2026: House of Representatives primary elections. Monday, 18th May, 2026: Senate primary elections. Wednesday, 20th May, 2026: State House of Assembly primary elections.
Thursday, 21st May, 2026: Governorship primary elections.
Saturday, 23rd May, 2026: Presidential primary elections.
“Post-primary appeal committees will sit as follows:
Monday, 18th May, 2026 for House of Representatives; Wednesday, 20th May, 2026 for Senate;
Thursday, 21st May, 2026 for State House of Assembly;
Saturday, 23rd May, 2026 for “Governorship; Monday, 25th May, 2026 for Presidential.
“We also have details of payment and other information, which will be contained in our publication.
“The second is the schedule of activities and timetable for the 2026 ward, LGA, and state congresses in Zamfara State, beginning Tuesday, 28th April, 2026. The ward congresses, LGA congresses, and state congresses will commence on that date.
“Screening of aspirants for ward executive positions will follow on Wednesday, 29th April, 2026. Ward congresses hold on Thursday, 30th April, 2026.
“Appeals from ward screening and ward congresses will hold on Friday, 1st May, 2026.
“Appeals arising from LGA congresses and screening of state executive members will also hold the same day. Appeals arising from state congresses will hold on Sunday, 3rd May, 2026.
That is the timetable for the congresses in Zamfara State.
“Third, in this 186th meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress, we adopted the mode of primaries as provided in the Electoral Act: direct and consensus mode, with a caveat that members are at liberty.
“That is, aspirants are free to decide their preference in accordance with the Electoral Act. Where there is consensus and an aspirant does not agree, it automatically reverts to direct primaries. The direct option must be agreed to by all aspirants; if not, the consensus option reverts to direct primaries.
“There was also a rumour that forms would be restricted or limited to certain individuals. I am here to inform all party faithfuls and aspirants that nomination forms for all aspirants seeking offices under the All Progressives Congress are open. Nomination forms are open for all members of the All Progressives Congress contesting elections.
“Finally, on membership registration, all newly registered members of the APC have had their updated list transmitted to INEC. We did an earlier submission and an update has now been transmitted. We are now in full conformity with established rules. I have also been instructed to inform you that the All Progressives Congress is now fully ready for the upcoming primary elections.”
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