APC Shifts House of Reps Primaries as Tinubu Demands Consensus and Inclusivity

The All Progressives Congress has postponed the House of Representatives primary election for the 2027 general polls to Saturday, May 16, while keeping the rest of its tightly scheduled primary calendar unchanged.

According to an official press statement issued on May 14 by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the adjustment was made to allow for smoother organisation of the initial round of voting. The decision comes as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a strongly worded message urging party members to approach the primaries with unity, fairness and a spirit of consensus where possible.

The revised timetable now begins with the House of Representatives primary on Saturday, May 16, followed by the Senate primary on Monday, May 18, State Houses of Assembly on Wednesday, May 20, Governorship on Thursday, May 21 and the Presidential primary on Saturday, May 23.

Party officials described the minor shift as a practical measure to ensure the entire process runs efficiently and without unnecessary friction. President Tinubu framed the upcoming primaries as a historic milestone for the APC, noting that the party, formed only a little over a decade ago, is now preparing for its fourth election cycle.

In a statement released from the State House on May 14, he reminded members of the founding principles of progressive politics, consensus-building and selfless service that had sustained the party through previous contests. He described the primaries not simply as a mechanism to select candidates but as a test of the APC’s internal cohesion and collective strength.

Tinubu acknowledged that party leaders at various levels had already begun consultations aimed at producing consensus candidates, describing this approach as a welcome step that could minimise internal conflict. He encouraged members to make full use of this window to achieve a more unified outcome. Where consensus could not be reached, he urged contestants and delegates to conduct themselves as “brothers and sisters,” maintaining peace and displaying sportsmanship regardless of the result.

The president warned against any form of rancour or actions that could undermine party unity, stressing that opponents would seek to exploit divisions. “In every contest, there will be a winner and a loser,” he said, adding that winners should avoid gloating while those who do not succeed should accept the outcome gracefully and prepare for future opportunities. He called on successful candidates and party leaders to extend olive branches to those who fell short, rejecting what he termed the “do-or-die politics” of the past.

A central theme of Tinubu’s message was the need for fairness and inclusivity. He appealed to voters and leaders to give special consideration to women and youth during the selection process, describing these two groups as vital demographics whose participation must not be sidelined. He also directed security agencies, particularly the police, to remain strictly professional and limit their role to ensuring a peaceful environment, warning against any interference in the internal affairs of the party.

With primaries compressed into a single week, the party leadership appears keen to complete candidate selection swiftly and focus on broader campaign preparations. The postponement of the House of Representatives primary by just two days is seen by observers as a minor logistical adjustment rather than a sign of deeper disarray.