APC Moves to End Primary Election Disputes, Reportedly Submits Candidates' List to INEC
Reported by Egbeghiade Lawal
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly submitted its list of candidates for upcoming elections to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a move that may effectively draw the curtain on efforts by aggrieved aspirants seeking to overturn the outcomes of the party's primary elections.
According to a report by the Nigerian Tribune, the APC National Working Committee (NWC) transmitted the list after considering reports from various appeal panels set up to address petitions and complaints arising from the party's governorship, National Assembly, and state assembly primaries.
The development comes amid sustained protests and lobbying by aspirants dissatisfied with the conduct and outcomes of the primaries in several states across the federation.
Sources within the ruling party disclosed that the decision was intended to prevent further pressure from influential political actors seeking to alter results after candidates had already emerged through the party's internal processes.
A party source quoted in the report stated that the NWC had completed its review of all petitions submitted to the appeal panels and subsequently forwarded the names of successful candidates to INEC in line with electoral timelines.
The reported submission is expected to have far-reaching implications for several high-profile contests where losing aspirants have continued to push for reviews and possible reversals of primary election outcomes.
One of the most closely watched cases is the APC governorship primary in Oyo State, where former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, recently argued that no individual should be regarded as the party's governorship candidate until the national leadership officially ratified the outcome of the exercise.
However, sources familiar with the process insist that the party leadership has already taken a definitive position on the primaries and proceeded with the submission of the approved candidates' list to INEC.
The report further claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was briefed before the submission was made, underscoring the significance of the decision within the ruling party.
While APC leaders had earlier assured party members that all grievances would be addressed through established appeal mechanisms, the latest development suggests that the party may have concluded its internal reconciliation process and moved forward with final decisions.
Political observers believe that if the reported submission is confirmed, dissatisfied aspirants may have limited options for seeking redress within the party structure, leaving the courts as the primary avenue for challenging the outcomes.
As of the time of filing this report, the APC had yet to officially confirm the submission or publish a comprehensive final list of candidates forwarded to INEC.
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