Uncertainty surrounding the release of screening results by the All Progressives Congress has triggered growing debate over transparency and fairness within the ruling party, just days before its primary elections for the 2027 general polls.
The anxiety followed the party’s failure to publish the outcome of its screening exercise for governorship, National Assembly and presidential aspirants as earlier scheduled. Although results for State Houses of Assembly aspirants were released, many contenders across the country said they were still awaiting clarity as of Wednesday night, despite the party timetable indicating that publication of the lists was expected on May 13.
The development comes at a critical stage in the APC’s election calendar, with House of Representatives primaries billed for May 15, Senate primaries for May 18, governorship and state assembly contests for May 21, and the presidential primary fixed for May 23. The Independent National Electoral Commission has already directed political parties to conclude their primaries and resolve disputes before May 30.
Party insiders said the leadership was treading cautiously because of pressure from different political interests linked to the screening exercise. In several states, however, complaints have continued to emerge from aspirants who allege attempts to influence the process through consensus arrangements and selective clearances. In Cross River State, former presidential aide Okoi Obono-Obla warned against what he described as coercion of aspirants to step down for preferred candidates.
Questions over credibility also surfaced in Rivers State, where some disqualified aspirants challenged the outcome of the screening. One of them, Solomon Lenu, alleged that certain aspirants cleared for the state assembly primaries never physically appeared before the committee. He claimed the process appeared tilted in favour of politicians aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, though party officials are yet to publicly respond to the allegation.
Civil society organisations have now joined calls for openness in the process, warning that opaque screening procedures could weaken confidence in democratic institutions. Groups including Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre and Transition Monitoring Group said political parties must ensure fair participation and provide verifiable reasons for disqualifications. With appeals, protests and possible legal battles already being discussed in some states, observers say the APC leadership faces mounting pressure to demonstrate that its internal processes can withstand scrutiny ahead of the 2027 elections.
