President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hope Uzodimma, House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, serving governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives and over 2,620 other aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress are expected to know their political fate today as the ruling party publishes the names of cleared aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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No fewer than 30 or 31 governors, 88 senators, 242 members of the House of Representatives, and businessman Osifo Stanley — the sole challenger to President Tinubu for the APC presidential ticket — are among those awaiting the outcome of the screening exercise.
As part of preparations to meet the timelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the 2027 polls, the APC completed the screening of aspirants between May 8 and 12.
Party sources disclosed that about 2,980 aspirants were screened for one presidential slot, 28 governorship positions, 109 Senate seats, 360 House of Representatives seats and 991 state assembly positions.
President Tinubu, who is seeking re-election, was reportedly granted a waiver by the party during the screening process.
Among the high-profile aspirants screened are Governor Hope Uzodimma, who currently doubles as Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Chairman of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors coordinating President Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
However, sources within the party disclosed that the APC hierarchy is under pressure to persuade Uzodimma to withdraw from the race for the Imo West senatorial seat to avoid a constitutional and political crisis.
Party leaders fear that if Uzodimma contests, wins the Senate seat and assumes office while still serving as governor of Imo State until January 2028, it could create complications within the polity due to overlapping responsibilities.
In Ogun State, former governor and serving Ogun East Senator Gbenga Daniel is engaged in a fierce political battle with incumbent Governor Dapo Abiodun over the APC senatorial ticket.
Similarly, Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya is challenging his predecessor, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, for a Senate seat in Gombe State.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who is seeking the APC governorship ticket in Abia State, is also among those whose fate hangs in the balance following a petition questioning how he allegedly attended the Nigerian Law School while simultaneously undertaking the mandatory National Youth Service Corps programme.
Also awaiting clearance is Noimot Salako-Oyedele, who is facing strong opposition from former Senator Gbolahan Dada and former Works Commissioner Olayiwola Taiwo in the battle for the APC ticket in Ogun West Senatorial District.
Political tensions have continued to rise within the ruling party, with many aspirants rejecting consensus arrangements and insisting on direct primaries.
Several aspirants have reportedly threatened “fire and brimstone” should the party leadership attempt to impose candidates.
Amid the growing tension, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda issued a stern warning to aspirants and their supporters, cautioning against violence and acts capable of disrupting the primary elections.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda declared that the APC leadership would not tolerate any activity aimed at undermining the credibility of the primaries.
He warned that any aspirant or supporter found sponsoring violence, instigating unrest, engaging in anti-party activities or attempting to compromise the integrity of the process would face severe disciplinary actions, including immediate suspension from the party.
