Fubara absent as APC screens governors and Tinubu’s challenger
Siminalayi Fubara, the Rivers State Governor, was notably absent from the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening exercise for governors seeking re-election and other elective positions. The party screened 14 governors and also assessed Stanley Osifo, President Bola Tinubu’s sole challenger. The screening process, chaired by Nentawe Yilwatda, included several high-profile governors and aspirants. The absence of Fubara has raised questions, especially given his ongoing political tensions in Rivers State.
Key takeaways
- The APC began selling its expression of interest and nomination forms on April 28, closing the process at midnight on May 6.
- Screening of serving governors started on May 8 and was expected to conclude on May 10.
- The party’s primaries are scheduled in phases: House of Representatives on May 15, Senate on May 18, State Houses of Assembly on May 20, governorship on May 21, and presidential primary on May 23.
- The Independent National Electoral Commission fixed the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, and governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections for February 6, 2027.
- Political parties are to conduct their primaries and resolve disputes between April 23 and May 30, 2026, with campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections starting on August 19, 2026, and for governorship and State Assembly elections on September 9, 2026.
