Three prominent politicians—former House of Representatives member Abdulrazak Namdas, Sani Shinkafi, and Senator Ayo Arise—have separately urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to conduct transparent and competitive primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections, firmly rejecting any attempt to impose candidates.
Namdas, an Adamawa State governorship aspirant and former House spokesperson, confirmed after submitting his nomination and expression of interest forms in Abuja that he is confident there will be no imposition of candidates within the party. He said assurances have been given by President Bola Tinubu, the APC national leadership, and state party leaders that aspirants will be allowed to freely contest.
He added that while consensus may be considered, it should not replace open competition, stressing that party members must be allowed to decide through a fair process. Namdas also expressed confidence that his legislative experience in the National Assembly has prepared him for executive leadership.
In Zamfara State, Sani Shinkafi, who is contesting for the Zamfara North Senatorial seat, insisted that the party must adopt direct primaries, arguing that it is the only fair method for selecting candidates. He rejected any form of consensus arrangement and said he would not step down for any aspirant.
Shinkafi criticized the current representation in the district, claiming that it has not delivered meaningful development or federal projects. He described the situation as unjust and called for a political shift that would allow for broader participation and fairness across local government areas.
Meanwhile, Senator Ayo Arise declared his intention to return to the Senate to represent Ekiti North Senatorial District in 2027. He said his previous tenure was marked by notable achievements, including contributions to the development of the Federal University Oye Ekiti, which he said has positively impacted education and the local economy.
Arise also called for a transparent and open primary process within the APC, rejecting any attempt to impose candidates. He expressed confidence that his experience positions him well to serve the district again and promised to focus on development and improved infrastructure if elected.
The APC had earlier announced the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the timetable for the 2027 general elections, with party primaries scheduled for 2026 ahead of nationwide campaigns.
