APC Picks Gov Candidates in 25 States, Reschedules Bauchi, Kwara

ABUJA — The All Progressives Congress completed governorship primary elections in 25 states on Wednesday, May 21, 2026. Incumbent governors and consensus-backed candidates won in most states, including Ogun, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Delta, Enugu, and Rivers. The party rescheduled primaries in Bauchi and Kwara states amid rising tensions.

APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the exercise was largely successful and reflects the party’s commitment to internal democracy. He said winning candidates in all 25 states were produced through either direct or consensus modes as provided in the Electoral Act.

In Borno State, Vice President Kashim Shettima led APC members in producing Engr. Mustapha Gubio as the governorship candidate. Shettima attended the exercise personally, a signal of the national leadership’s close interest in the Borno result.

Other states where APC governorship candidates emerged include Oyo, Benue, Sokoto, Gombe, Yobe, Niger, Ebonyi, Abia, Jigawa, Taraba, Zamfara, Plateau, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Lagos, and Kano. Primaries were not conducted in Kogi, Edo, Bayelsa, Anambra, Imo, Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo, which have off-cycle election schedules.

Bauchi and Kwara Rescheduled

However, the Bauchi and Kwara governorship primaries were postponed after tensions and logistical concerns emerged. The APC announced that both states would hold their primaries on Friday, May 22, 2026. Zamfara state assembly primaries for two constituencies were also moved to Sunday, May 24.

In Bauchi, Senator Shehu Buba withdrew from the APC governorship primary, alleging that party structures had been hijacked. He described the exercise as fundamentally compromised and said he could not participate in good conscience.

Furthermore, Tinubu also constituted new primary management structures on Thursday. He appointed former Senate President Pius Anyim to chair the presidential primary management committee. Former Katsina Governor Aminu Masari will head the primary appeal panel for the presidential exercise scheduled for May 23.

Fubara in the Picture

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara withdrew from the APC governorship primary in a notable development. He emerged as the sole aspirant after other potential candidates stepped aside. His emergence as the consensus candidate for Rivers State reflects the political dynamics of that state following his earlier reported political tensions.

The APC’s candidate selection process, while producing results in most states, has generated significant controversy. Multiple disputes across Lagos, Delta, Plateau, and other states are heading to appeal. INEC is watching outcomes closely before it accepts any final list of candidates.

APC presidential primary is scheduled for Friday, May 23. Tinubu is expected to run unopposed or face only token opposition. The party has already signalled that it will present Tinubu as its 2027 presidential candidate after completing the formal primary process.