2027: Fubara Absent as APC Screens Govs, Tinubu Rival

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, screening exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections recorded the absence of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as the party screened governors seeking re-election and other elective positions.

The screening exercise, which held in Abuja, also featured President Bola Tinubu’s sole challenger for the APC presidential ticket, Stanley Osifo.

The APC began the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms on April 28, while the exercise closed on May 6.

Screening for serving governors commenced on May 8 and is expected to conclude on Sunday, with the party adopting consensus and direct primaries in line with the Electoral Act 2025.

The party scheduled its primaries to begin with the House of Representatives on May 15, followed by the Senate on May 18, State Houses of Assembly on May 20, governorship on May 21, and the presidential primary on May 23.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has fixed the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.

The APC screening committee for governors is chaired by the party’s National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, with National Secretary, Surajudeen Basiru, serving as secretary.

Governors screened during the exercise included Abba Yusuf of Kano State, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State, Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Umar Bago of Niger State, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, Bassey Otu of Cross River State and Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State.

A senior APC official disclosed that more than 14 governors had so far undergone screening.

Speaking after the exercise, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, described the process as smooth and satisfactory, adding that it strengthened cooperation between governors and the party leadership.

Eno also expressed support for President Tinubu’s administration, saying there were signs of economic improvement and progress across the country.

Meanwhile, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Bauchi governorship aspirant, Yusuf Tuggar, said consensus was unlikely in the APC governorship race in Bauchi State because of the increasing number of aspirants.

Tuggar urged the party to ensure transparency during the primary process and guard against manipulation aimed at creating artificial consensus arrangements.

Presidential aspirant Stanley Osifo also described the screening process as rigorous but fair, stating that he remained committed to the race despite President Tinubu’s endorsement by party leaders.

However, attention focused on the absence of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, from the screening exercise.

Fubara, who has been involved in a prolonged political dispute with his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, reportedly obtained APC nomination forms through associates.

Responding to questions about the governor’s absence, APC National Chairman and screening committee chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, said governors with official state engagements were excused and would be given another opportunity within the stipulated timeframe.

He stated that three governors had yet to appear before the committee and stressed that governors remained chief executives of their states with official responsibilities.

Reports also indicated that some Rivers political figures, including House of Representatives member Awaj-Inombek Abiante and former Commissioner for Education, Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, purchased nomination forms for Fubara.

Gogo-Jaja further alleged that Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, obtained an APC governorship nomination form despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

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