The All Progressives Congress (APC), has approved a direct primary system for its 2026 presidential primary election, clearing the way for party members across the country’s 8,809 wards to vote for the party’s presidential candidate.
The party also unveiled members of its presidential primary committee, appeal panel and state coordination teams ahead of the exercise.
In a statement issued by APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party said the decisions were ratified by its National Working Committee in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
According to the APC, the direct primary model will allow all registered party members nationwide to participate in the presidential selection process, with results to be collated from the 774 local government areas before final submission in Abuja.
“The decisions were approved by the Party’s National Working Committee in accordance with the Constitution of the Party, the Electoral Act, and APC’s commitment to a transparent and credible primary election process”, the statement said.
Under the guidelines, designated state coordinators and collation officers will supervise voting and result collation across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT). The party said collated figures from across the federation would be transmitted to the Presidential Primary Election Committee in Abuja on May 24, 2026.
In a major announcement, the APC named former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Pius Anyim, as chairman of the Presidential Primary Election Committee. Other members of the committee include former Senate President Ken Nnamani, former Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara and former Kogi State Governor Idris Wada.
The party also constituted an appeal committee to handle grievances arising from the process. Former Katsina State governor, Aminu Masari, will chair the appeal panel, while former TETFund Director, Samuel Piwuna and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Patricia Etteh, will serve as members.
Beyond the national committees, the APC announced an extensive list of state coordinators and collation officers drawn from governors, senators and senior political figures. Among those assigned key roles are Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma for Imo; Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman Abdulrazaq for Kwara; Adamawa State governor, Ahmadu Fintiri for Adamawa, and Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, for Borno.
Others named by the party include: Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara; Zamfara State governor Dauda Lawal, former Oyo lawmaker Teslim Folarin and former senator Uche Ekwunife for various coordination assignments.
The adoption of direct primaries signals the APC’s preference for a broader membership-driven process in choosing its presidential flagbearer, a move expected to shape internal calculations as the race toward the next general election gathers momentum.
The guidelines and appointments are likely to attract close scrutiny within and outside the ruling party, especially as aspirants, governors and power blocs begin positioning ahead of the contest.
