The All Progressives Congress (APC) congresses across several states in the country Tuesday endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential elections.
Many state chapters had as early as 2025 endorsed the president for the presidential ticket of the party even when campaigns had not started.
At least five states which include Kaduna, Gombe, Kebbi, Taraba and Edo, yesterday reaffirmed the endorsement with a fresh call on the president to contest for the ticket.
Governor Uba Sani, at the state congress which held in Kaduna, reaffirmed the state chapter’s loyalty to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and stressed that the party structures would be aligned with national objectives and will mobilise from the polling unit level upward to secure victory in 2027.
The governor emphasised that the adoption of consensus candidates was not a sign of weakness, rather a reflection of political maturity and unity. He assured party members that the Kaduna APC would channel its collective energy toward governance, development, and electoral victory.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen charged the newly elected State Executive Committee (EXCO) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State to mobilise no fewer than two million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Speaker Abbas urged the new executives to immediately get to work by uniting all tendencies within the party and delivering over two million votes for President Tinubu, as well as a similar figure for Governor Sani, in the general elections.
At the state level, 36 executive members were affirmed and sworn in, underscoring what he described as the party’s strong structure and presence in every community.
Isaac Atiku Sankay emerged as the consensus chairman of the party at the end of the state congress held at the Murtala Muhammed Square.
His emergence followed weeks of strategic meetings among party leaders, elders, and key stakeholders who resolved to present a united front ahead of the next electoral cycle.
In his acceptance speech, Sankay expressed gratitude to God and appreciation to Governor Sani for the confidence placed in him. He pledged to serve with discipline, courage, and measurable results.
Gombe
The Gombe State chapter of the APC also endorsed President Tinubu as its sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The endorsement was made during the party’s congress held yesterday to elect new leadership in the state to run its affairs for the next four years.
The motion for the endorsement was moved by the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Usman Bello Kumo, while the member representing Dukku/Nafada Federal Constituency, Abdullahi El-Rasheed seconded and other members of the party supported by voice affirmation.
Addressing the congress, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, said the endorsement of President Tinubu as the sole presidential candidate of the party in the forthcoming elections was a demonstration of appreciation “for courageous and quality leadership at a time the nation is confronting difficult economic and governance challenges.”
He described the state as a stronghold of the APC, noting that the party’s impressive membership strength and unity have positioned it among the most vibrant chapters nationwide.
He revealed that the state recorded over 400,000 newly registered members during the party’s recent e-registration and membership re-validation exercise, which placed Gombe in 10th position across the country.
Governor Yahaya added that the achievement was informed by the growing confidence of the people in the APC administration at both state and federal levels.
Edo
The newly elected executives of the APC in Edo State, led by Jarrett Tenebe, also formally endorsed President Tinubu, Governor Monday Okpebholo and Senator Adams Oshiomhole for second term in office.
Daily Trust reports that in a unanimous voice affirmation, the delegates returned the 36-member state executive, led by Tenebe, for another four-year term.
Tenebe, in his acceptance speech said the endorsement followed what he described as their strong performance and improving the lives of Nigerians and Edo residents.
He announced the endorsement of the senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Adams Oshiomhole, for a second term in the Senate, following what he described as quality representation.
While commending delegates for their trust and confidence in the executives, he said the APC remains fully committed to supporting the successful implementation of the agenda.
The chairman of the National Congress Committee, Kabiru Ajana, said the exercise demonstrated unity within the party in the state, as all 36 positions were returned unopposed after the screening process, with no appeals received.
Ajana commended the governor for fostering unity within the Edo APC and urged other states to emulate the example.
Kebbi
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State once again endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for second term. The party also returned all it’s executives by affirmation.
Governor Nasir Idris at the congress enjoined the new executives to work for the re-election of President Tinubu. “Ensure that President Tinubu is given massive votes for continuity and myself as the Kebbi State governor”, he said.
While commending the delegates for their good and peaceful conduct at the congress, he said Tinubu deserves a second term because of “his performance”.
He said Kebbi was the first state to endorse him for a second term. “We are endorsing him again today because he has done well for Kebbi State and he has done well for the country,” he said.
The governor congratulated the new state executive members, tasking them to continue to operate as one formidable family.
He said, “You’ve been elected without rancour, everybody has confidence in you; you did it before and I know you can do it again. I’m happy you’ve affirmed your loyalty to me, President Tinubu and the APC. I will continue to do justice to all and consolidate on the achievements recorded to ensure victory for the APC at all levels.”
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, at the congress also affirmed his loyalty and support to Governor Idris, the APC and President Tinubu. He urged the new executives to work for the re-election of President Tinubu and Governor Idris.
Chairman of the congress deployed from the APC National Secretariat, Abuja, Modibbo Bello, declared the new executive officials elected after the delegates affirmed them through a voice vote.
Taraba
Daily Trust reports that the Taraba State Working Committee (SWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) endorsed both president Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Agbu Kefas to contest for president and governorship for a second term come 2027.
Former Taraba PDP chairman Alhaji Abubakar Bawa emerged new state chairman of the APC in Taraba State.
Alhaji Abubakar Bawa from Taraba Central Senatorial zone was elected along with executive members of the party during the state congress held in Jalingo Tuesday.
Sole candidacy raises concerns about internal democracy – Prof Ojo
Responding to the development, a political scientist at the University of Ilorin, Prof. Gbade Ojo, said the adoption of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as sole presidential candidate raises concerns about internal democracy within the All Progressives Congress.
Speaking with Daily Trust on Tuesday night, Ojo said: “Ordinarily, the adoption of Tinubu as presidential candidate by state chapters of the party is not strange. However, it suggests that the party has been captured.”
He explained that “capture means there is no dissenting voice and no other person is allowed to show interest in that position. It means there is no internal democracy.”
According to him, when a party produces a sole candidate without contest, it defeats the essence of democratic competition within the party structure.
“We also experienced this during the tenure of former president Buhari when no other person contested against him within the party. That kind of arrangement makes nonsense, absolute nonsense, of internal democracy,” he said.
Ojo added that when a candidate becomes the sole flag bearer without a competitive primary, it amounts to imposition.
“We are talking about one person being imposed on the party, and that imposition is later legitimised by other members. The essence of democracy is defeated. Democracy is meant to allow different interests to blossom and let people decide. If there are ten aspirants and one emerges after votes are counted, that is a growing democracy,” he said.
Precedence
Our correspondents, however, recall such decisions are usually challenged by other party members who insist on contesting.
In 2003, President Olusegun Obasanjo had to slug it out with other contenders like Abubakar Rimi, Barnabas Gemade and others in an open contest before he could clinch the ticket of the party to run for a second term,
In 2015, President Goodluck Jonathan was adopted as candidate by the national executive committee of the party.
In 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari had to submit to the direct primary process and polled a total of 14, 842,072 across the 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory to emerge as the party’s candidate.
The 2026 Electoral Act has stipulated direct primaries and consensus for the election of candidates in its primaries.
Parallel congress
Aside the endorsements, the party recorded parallel congress in Benue State. Two separate congresses held simultaneously producing two parallel chairmen and state working committees.
One of the factions elected a new state executive headed by Benjamin Omale to pilot the affairs of the party for the next four years while the other affirmed the Comrade Austin Agada-led State Executive Committee for another four-year term following the party’s state congress.
Our correspondent reports that the party also inaugurated its local government and ward executives during the exercise, held at IBB Square in Makurdi.
Speaking at the congress that returned Omale, Governor Hyacinth Alia commended party members for what he described as peaceful, credible and transparent congresses at all levels.
Alia also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for their support to the party nationwide and in Benue State.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected State Chairman, Benjamin Omale, thanked delegates for the confidence reposed in him and members of the executive.
The other congress, which drew statutory delegates, party leaders and stakeholders from across the state, concluded with a unanimous voice vote endorsing the continuation of the current executive.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Iorwuese Hagher, called on members to sustain unity, discipline and loyalty, urging stakeholders to close ranks to consolidate the party’s gains in the state.
Also, former Second Republic Senator, Dr. Jack Tilley Gyado, alongside other stakeholders, also expressed support for the President, Senator Akume and the Agada-led executive, describing the leadership as central to the party’s stability.
The party leaders described the exercise as peaceful and orderly, saying it reflected unity within the Benue APC and loyalty to the party’s national leadership.
Speakers at the event pledged support for President Tinubu, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and party leader in the state, Senator George Akume, and the state chairman, Comrade Austin Agada.
Ogun, Lagos retain chairmen
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Ogun State Chairman, Yemi Sanusi, was re-elected for a third term at the state congress.
He was re-elected at the state congress which took place at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, alongside other executive members.
The new party officials were elected by affirmation.
Governor Dapo Abiodun challenged the new party leaders to deepen grassroots engagement ahead of next year’s election.
In Lagos State, the current chairman of APC, Cornelius Ojelabi, was returned for another term in office.
Ojelabi, alongside other state executives, emerged through a consensus arrangement at the APC state congress held at the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium on Tuesday.
Other executives elected include Moshood Olanrewaju as Deputy Chairman; Adeola Jokomba as Secretary; Azizat Mariam as Assistant Secretary; Seye Oladejo as Publicity Secretary; Babajide Sunday as Vice Chairman; Shola Eletu as Woman Leader; and Ayodele Adewale as Organising Secretary.
The congress was witnessed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa; Leader of the Governor’s Advisory Council, Tajudeen Olusi; and Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin.
In Oyo, former deputy governor during the tenure of late governor Abiola Ajimobi, Moses Alake Adeyemo, emerged as the chairman of APC.
Adeyemo was unanimously adopted as a consensus candidate at the party’s state congress held at Liberty Stadium, Oke-Ado, Ibadan.
An indigene of Igboho in Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State, Adeyemo served as Ajimobi’s deputy between 2011-2019
In Ondo State, Kolawole Babatunde, a former member of the House of Representatives from Akoko SouthWest/Southeast and Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Legislative Matters and Party Affairs, emerged the new state chairman.
Babatunde emerged alongside other executive members on Tuesday during the congress of the party held in Akure.
The new executive members emerged via a ‘voice votes’ after the party’s stakeholders had unanimously agreed to adopt a consensus candidate.
Governor Aiyedatiwa and other party leaders were in attendance at the state congress.
Adiya emerges Sokoto APC chairman
Alhaji Haruna S. Adiya, the immediate past treasurer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State, has been elected chairman of the party in the state following a consensus-based process.
Adiya emerged alongside other members of the new state executive during the party’s congress held on Tuesday.
The election was conducted by the APC Election Committee Chairman, Prof. Manpa’a Aliyu Musa, who announced that the executives were affirmed by party members through a voice vote.
The event was attended by prominent party stakeholders, including Gov. Ahmed Aliyu, Sen. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Tukur Bala Bodinga. Several national and state lawmakers were also present. The Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) also elected Chief Solomon Arenyeka as its new chairman, with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori charging them to commence immediate preparations for total victory in the 2027 general elections.
Daily Trust reports that Chief Arenyeka emerged chairman by consensus while Elder Moses Iduh and Chief Efe Uko emerged deputy chairman and secretary respectively.
Leadership affirmed in Kwara
The Kwara APC on Tuesday held its state congress in Ilorin, affirming it’s party chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, and other members of the state executive committee.
The congress, supervised by a committee from the party’s national secretariat, drew a large crowd of stakeholders from across the 16 local government areas of the state.
The event was attended by top party leaders, members of the National and state assemblies, cabinet members, and other stakeholders.
Chairman of the State Congress Committee, Dr. Alkali Alibe, said the affirmation of the leadership followed the provisions of the party’s constitution.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who addressed the gathering, described the congress as peaceful and successful.
“We are in the era of politics. If I may say so myself, I think we’ve done very well, exceedingly well. To the extent that I’ll say, over six years of our tenure have seen greater investments in infrastructure and across very important sectors than what we met.
“As you can see, opposition has collapsed nationally and especially in Kwara State. But we will not be complacent. We need to work harder and build on what we have achieved so far”, he said.
Kano’s drags into the night
The Kano APC had earlier constituted three committees to oversee the conduct of the congress slated to hold at the Indoor Sports Stadium, Kofar Mata by 8:00pm.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Kano APC spokesperson, Ahmad Aruwa, as directed by the outgoing state chairman, Prince Abdullahi Abbas Sunusi.
According to the statement, the committees were set up to ensure a transparent, credible and well-coordinated congress in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines.
The party named Rabi’u Sulaiman Bichi as chairman of the Congress and Accreditation Committee, with Muhammad Jamu Yusuf serving as secretary.
The APC reiterated its commitment to strengthening internal democracy and consolidating unity within its ranks in Kano State, expressing optimism that the congress would further reposition the party ahead of future political contests.
Defectors welcomed in Nasarawa
Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule welcomed back defectors, including Deputy Speaker Adamu Oyanki, Senator Philip Aruwa Gyunka, who recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and former PDP gubernatorial candidate, David Ombugadu who recently joined the APC.
“We have had a free consensus and the congresses at the ward level, at the local government level, and today at the state level,” Sule said. “I want to continue to thank you for the peace we have continued to enjoy in Nasarawa State.”
The governor assured those who did not make it back to the party that they are still members and can occupy other positions in government and the party.
“With the way we are going, there is no more opposition in Nasarawa State,” Sule declared, to cheers of “Yes, yes, yes” and “Together, together” from the crowd.
The newly elected chairman of APC in the state, Aliyu Bello, promised to work for the party and the government of Governor Abdullahi Sule.
DAILY TRUST.
