Tension Explodes As Tinubu, Fubara, Uzodimma, APC Governors, Senators And Reps Await Crucial Fate Today

Also awaiting the outcome are Osifo Stanley, the only challenger to Tinubu for the party’s presidential ticket, as well as several current and former political office holders.

As part of preparations in line with the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APC is set to release the list of cleared aspirants today.

Reports indicate that the ruling party screened about 2,980 aspirants for different elective positions, including the presidential seat, 28 governorship positions, 109 Senate seats, 360 House of Representatives seats and 991 state assembly slots.

The screening exercise was said to have taken place between May 8 and May 12.

Sources within the party disclosed that President Tinubu received a waiver from the screening committee.

Those screened include serving and former governors, lawmakers, ministers and technocrats who purchased and submitted nomination forms.

One of the major figures awaiting the outcome is Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who is seeking election into the Senate.

Uzodimma currently serves as governor of Imo State, chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and head of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors coordinating Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

According to party sources quoted by Vanguard, there is pressure within the APC leadership for Uzodimma to step down from the senatorial race to avoid possible constitutional and political complications.

Insiders expressed concern that he could emerge senator-elect while still serving as governor, since his tenure as governor does not end until January 2028.

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is locked in a political feud with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is also among those whose political future will become clearer today.

Wike reportedly met with APC National Chairman Nentawe Yiltwatda on Tuesday.

In Ogun State, former governor and current Ogun East Senator, Gbenga Daniel, is engaged in a political showdown with Governor Dapo Abiodun over the senatorial ticket.

Similarly, Gombe State Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya is battling his predecessor, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, for a Senate seat.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who is seeking the APC governorship ticket in Abia State, is also awaiting the outcome of the screening process.

Kalu recently faced allegations in a petition claiming he attended the Nigerian Law School while simultaneously participating in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

The developments come amid rising tension within the APC, with many aspirants insisting on direct primaries rather than consensus arrangements.

Some aspirants have reportedly vowed to oppose any attempt to impose candidates.

Reacting to the growing unrest, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yiltwatda warned aspirants against violence and anti-party activities.

In a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yiltwatda stressed that the party would not tolerate actions capable of disrupting the primaries.

“The leadership of the party will not tolerate any act capable of disrupting the smooth conduct of the primaries,” he said.

He further warned that any aspirant or supporter linked to violence, unrest or anti-party activities would face disciplinary action, including suspension from the party.