Tinubu expresses concern over APC primary election fallout

Ebun Emmanuel – May 19, 2026

President Bola Tinubu has expressed displeasure over the conduct of the All Progressives Congress legislative primaries, distancing himself from widespread reports of candidate imposition and directing the party’s national leadership to take corrective action.

Sources said during a meeting with South-West APC leaders, Tinubu was visibly unsettled by the turn of events across the country during the ongoing primaries of the All Progressives Congress.

“Yes, I gave governors the privilege to coordinate and take charge of party affairs in their respective states, but I did not ask anyone to impose candidates indiscriminately. Even where necessary, no one should be a judge in his own case,” the President was quoted as saying by sources privy to the meeting.

Tinubu was said to have tild the meeting that he had since moved to address the fallout.

He said, “Where free-and-fair primary elections did not take place, I have directed the National Chairman and National Secretary to do the needful in restoring the integrity of the party”.

The nationwide APC legislative primaries is generating significant controversy, with the process in states like Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Ondo, Imo, Rivers, Benue and Adamawa drawing fierce challenges from aggrieved aspirants and party members who alleged irregularities, voter intimidation, candidate imposition and the deliberate side-lining of delegates.

The APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda was said to have responded to the brewing crisis, warning that any party member or aspirant found instigating violence or working to undermine the process would face severe disciplinary measures, including immediate suspension.