APC adopts direct primaries for National Assembly elections in Bayelsa

The All Progressives Congress in Bayelsa State has adopted direct primaries for the emergence of its National Assembly candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Chairman of the APC Electoral Panel for the National Assembly primaries in the state, Chief Solomon Eze Ogba, disclosed this during a press briefing on Saturday at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Ogba said the briefing marked the commencement of the process for the election of candidates for the Senate and House of Representatives seats in the state.

He stated that members of the electoral panel had arrived in the state and were prepared to conduct a credible exercise, adding that the party adopted the direct primary mode in line with Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act.

“We have painstakingly selected people of proven integrity who will conduct the elections in all the wards, local government areas, and federal constituencies,” he said.

He assured party stakeholders of a transparent and fair process and called for cooperation from aspirants and party members.

Ogba also commended the Bayelsa State Government and residents for maintaining a peaceful atmosphere ahead of the exercise.

According to him, sensitive election materials had already been distributed to designated voting areas across the state.

He further disclosed that most aspirants screened in Abuja for the National Assembly positions had been cleared to participate in the primaries.

The APC chieftain also revealed that consensus talks were ongoing in some constituencies to ensure a smooth exercise.

However, he declined to state the exact number of aspirants cleared for the primaries, explaining that the electoral panel was not responsible for the screening process.

“Delegates will see the final list of eligible aspirants at their respective wards when they arrive for the primaries,” he said.