ZAMFARA, Nigeria (AP), The APC announced late Friday that its House of Representatives primary in Zamfara will now take place on May 18, followed by the Senate primary on May 19. The State House of Assembly primary is set for May 20, the governorship primary for May 21, and the presidential primary for May 23. Appeals will be heard immediately after each contest, running through May 22.
Party officials did not provide detailed reasons for the adjustment, though APC’s National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka confirmed the changes in a statement. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged party members to remain united as primaries unfold nationwide.
The rescheduling comes against a backdrop of internal disputes. APC’s push for consensus candidates has faced resistance in several states, with aspirants demanding open contests. In Zamfara, tensions are heightened by recent political shifts, including Governor Dauda Lawal’s defection to the APC earlier this year, which reshaped local dynamics.
Opposition voices have seized on the changes. Senator Seriake Dickson of the People’s Democratic Party criticized APC governance, citing insecurity and inflation, and called for the party’s removal in 2027. The Labour Party has also moved strategically, zoning its presidential ticket to the South, signaling a broader “third force” challenge.
The developments in Zamfara carry added weight because of the state’s history. In 2019, the Supreme Court nullified all APC victories in Zamfara, ruling that the party had failed to conduct valid primaries. The decision overturned 36 seats won by APC candidates and handed them to the opposition PDP.
Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission has directed all parties to conclude primaries and resolve disputes by May 30, 2026. The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for Jan. 16, 2027, followed by governorship and state assembly polls on Feb. 6, 2027.
For Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and largest economy, the credibility of party primaries is critical. Zamfara’s insecurity, marked by armed banditry and communal violence, makes transparent political processes even more vital. International observers, including ECOWAS and the European Union, are expected to monitor developments closely, given Nigeria’s role in regional stability.
The APC’s decision to reschedule primaries in Zamfara highlights both logistical hurdles and factional disputes. With memories of the 2019 Supreme Court ruling still fresh, the stakes are high: how the ruling party manages its internal democracy could shape not only Zamfara’s future but Nigeria’s broader political stability heading into 2027.
