The All Progressives Congress (APC) Screening Committee has officially cleared 11 incumbent state governors to contest the party’s upcoming primary elections. This significant administrative hurdle was crossed as the governing party prepares for the 2027 general elections.
The clearance is a prerequisite for the primary elections, which are scheduled to be conducted across the federation on Thursday, 21 May.
The screening process was overseen by the party’s top brass, led by the National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and the National Secretary, Dr Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru. The committee is operating under a strict mandate to ensure that all aspirants meet the constitutional and party requirements before facing the electorate in the primaries.
According to party sources, the exercise is being conducted with a high degree of rigour. While the first batch of candidates has been successfully vetted, the committee is expected to resume proceedings on Saturday to conclude the screening of remaining aspirants and stakeholders.
List of Screened Governors
The following 11 governors, many of whom have recently realigned with the APC to consolidate their 2027 bids, have been formally cleared:
| Governor | State |
| Gov. Abba Yusuf | Kano State |
| Gov. Inuwa Yahaya | Gombe State |
| Gov. Nasir Idris | Kebbi State |
| Gov. Caleb Mutfwang | Plateau State |
| Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia | Benue State |
| Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru | Ebonyi State |
| Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori | Delta State |
| Gov. Umar Bago | Niger State |
| Gov. Dauda Lawal | Zamfara State |
| Sen. Bassey Otu | Cross River State |
| Gov. Ahmed Aliyu | Sokoto State |
The inclusion of several governors who were originally elected on opposition platforms notably Governor Abba Yusuf (formerly NNPP), Governor Caleb Mutfwang (formerly PDP), and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori (formerly PDP) highlights a period of intense political realignment within the country.
By clearing these incumbents, the APC leadership appears to be pursuing a strategy of “consolidation and inclusion,” aiming to solidify its influence across the North and South ahead of what promises to be a fiercely contested 2027 cycle.
The party’s National Secretariat has urged all members to remain disciplined as the primary season commences, emphasizing that the “Renewed Hope” agenda remains the focal point of the party’s governance and electoral strategy.
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