All Progressives Congress (APC) has postponed its governorship primaries in Kwara and Bauchi states as well as State House of Assembly primaries in two constituencies in Zamfara following internal disagreements over consensus arrangements and rising tensions among party stakeholders.
The ruling party announced the postponements in a statement issued on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.
According to the statement, the governorship primaries in Kwara and Bauchi, initially scheduled for Thursday, were shifted to Friday, while the assembly primaries for Maradun I and Maradun II constituencies in Zamfara were rescheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2026.
“The All Progressives Congress hereby announces the rescheduling of the governorship primary elections in Bauchi and Kwara States to Friday, May 22, 2026,” the statement read.
“Similarly, the party has approved the rescheduling of the State House of Assembly primary elections for Maradun I and Maradun II Constituencies in Zamfara State to Sunday, May 24, 2026.”
Morka said the decision followed consultations with stakeholders and was intended to ensure a transparent, peaceful, and credible primary process.
Despite the official explanation, the postponement sparked suspicion among party members in both Kwara and Bauchi, where supporters accused influential figures of attempting to influence the outcome in favour of preferred aspirants.
In Kwara State, political tension intensified around Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s preferred successor, Yahaya Seriki.
Hours after the postponement was announced, eight governorship aspirants reportedly stepped down in support of Seriki following consultations aimed at preserving party unity.
Those who withdrew from the race included Wale Sulaiman, Mohammed Bio, Toyin Alabi, Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Ahmad Mahmoud, Aisha Patigi, Salako Oluwatoyin and Yakubu Danladi-Salihu.
Party sources said the aspirants agreed to support Seriki “in the interest of unity and continuity.”
Before the postponement was officially announced, APC members had already gathered at several wards across Kwara Central for the exercise.
At Adewole Ward in Ilorin West Local Government Area, supporters of Seriki, Saliu Mustapha, Bashir Bolarinwa and Femi Sanni dominated the venue as supporters chanted slogans in favour of their candidates.
However, confusion spread as electoral officials and materials failed to arrive at some centres, forcing many members to leave after waiting for several hours.
In Bauchi State, supporters of governorship aspirant Nura Soro staged protests over fears of alleged manipulation and candidate imposition.
The protesters reportedly stormed the hotel where members of the APC electoral committee were lodged, demanding transparency in the conduct of the primary.
Director of the Nura Soro Campaign Organisation, Auwal Jada, accused unnamed interests of attempting to secretly alter results.
“This is the way previous primary elections were conducted. Our people are here peacefully to protect electoral materials and ensure transparency,” Jada said.
Another supporter, Musa Buba, questioned why only Bauchi and Kwara experienced postponements while primaries proceeded in other states.
“Why was the election postponed? There must be reasons behind it. Other states conducted their primaries, but Bauchi and Kwara were postponed. That is why many people are beginning to suspect foul play,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the APC successfully conducted governorship primaries in several states, including Ogun, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Delta, Enugu, Rivers, Oyo, Benue, Sokoto, Gombe, Yobe, Niger, Borno, Ebonyi, Abia, Jigawa, Taraba, Plateau, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Lagos and Kano.
The party also constituted key committees for its 2026 presidential primary, appointing former Senate President Pius Anyim to chair the election committee and former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari to lead the appeal panel.
