By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commenced uploading the names of its presidential and National Assembly candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination portal ahead of the July 10 deadline. The exercise, taking place nationwide, follows the conclusion of the party’s primary elections and appeal process. The APC is submitting candidates’ particulars, including Form EC9 and other statutory documents, to comply with INEC’s nomination guidelines for the 2027 general election while finalising its list of candidates.
INEC trains parties on candidate nomination portal
Ahead of the nomination exercise, INEC organised a two-day training for political party officials on the use of the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP).
Officials from the commission’s ICT Department conducted the training on Thursday and Friday. At the end of the programme, participating political parties received access codes to the portal.
The Acting Director-General of the Electoral Institute, Prof. Ibrahim Sani, described candidate nomination as one of the most critical stages of the electoral process.
According to him, credible elections begin with proper candidate nomination. He urged political parties to comply fully with legal and procedural requirements governing the process.
Political parties must upload the names and particulars of their presidential and National Assembly candidates between June 27 and July 10. The required documents include Form EC9 and Forms EC9A to EC9E.
APC prioritises INEC deadline
APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the party’s immediate focus is ensuring all candidates complete their nomination documents before the INEC deadline.
He explained that successful candidates have already received Form EC9 and other required documents for submission through the INEC portal.
Morka noted that publishing the full list of candidates is not the party’s priority at this stage.
“Our immediate concern is ensuring all candidates complete their forms and meet the INEC deadline,” he said.
He added that every successful candidate already knows his or her status, eliminating uncertainty within the party.
APC reviewed over 700 petitions
Morka disclosed that the APC received more than 700 petitions from aspirants dissatisfied with the outcome of the party’s primaries.
He said the National Working Committee carefully reviewed every petition before reaching final decisions.
According to him, several appeals succeeded and resulted in adjustments in some constituencies. Others failed, allowing the original winners to retain their tickets.
He stressed that the review process has ended and the current candidates represent the party’s final position.
Shehu Sani, Yero emerge as Kaduna candidates
In Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani presented Form EC9 to former Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero and former Senator Shehu Sani.
The presentation confirmed Shehu Sani as the APC candidate for Kaduna Central Senatorial District, ending weeks of speculation over his candidacy.
On Tuesday, Shehu Sani shared a photograph of the presentation on his WhatsApp status with the caption:
“Officially the confirmed candidate, In Shaa Allah.”
Yero will contest the Kaduna North Senatorial District, while Senator Sunday Marshall Katung will fly the party’s flag in Kaduna South.
Katung won election to the Senate in 2023 on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform before defecting to the APC.
He attributed his decision to what he described as the development projects delivered by President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani.
APC clears prominent leaders for Senate
Several high-profile APC leaders have also secured senatorial tickets for the 2027 elections.
They include:
- Senate President Godswill Akpabio
- Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau
- Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele
- Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno
- Senator Adams Oshiomhole
- Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello
The politicians are among the APC’s 109 senatorial candidates whose details are currently being uploaded to the INEC portal.
Additionally, four serving governors have secured senatorial tickets. They are:
- AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara)
- Hope Uzodimma (Imo)
- Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa)
- Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe)
Speaker Abbas, Kalu lead House of Representatives list
For the House of Representatives, the APC has cleared several prominent lawmakers.
They include Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, James Abiodun Faleke and Mudashiru Obasa.
Their nomination followed the ratification of the April party primaries and the conclusion of the appeal process.
Progressive Governors seek stronger party unity
Meanwhile, the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) resolved to meet APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda to strengthen internal cohesion before the general election.
States affected by post-primary complaints include Ondo, Benue, Kwara and Kogi.
Speaking after the meeting, PGF Chairman Hope Uzodimma said the governors agreed to work closely with the National Working Committee.
“We have resolved to engage the APC national leadership to harmonise strategies for the next phase of the party’s campaign,” he said.
Uzodimma added that the governors also discussed governance and Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.
He said the APC remains committed to improving democratic governance and delivering greater benefits to Nigerians.
Governors who attended the meeting included Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Uba Sani, Abba Yusuf, Babagana Zulum, Dauda Lawal, Agbu Kefas, Ahmad Aliyu, Inuwa Yahaya, Nasir Idris, Umo Eno and Biodun Oyebanji.
