By Mokobia Rita.
Asaba/Nigeria-The political atmosphere across Delta State is expected to come alive on Saturday as the All-Progressives Congress (APC) moves to conduct its much-anticipated House of Representatives direct primary elections, a process party leaders say will shape the future direction of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In an official notice issued by the Delta State chapter of the APC, the party called on all duly registered members to assemble at approved ward venues across the state for the exercise scheduled to commence at exactly 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
The announcement, signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Valentine Onojeghuo Esq., stated that the exercise would be conducted in line with the party’s constitution and the revised timetable approved by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC.
The primaries are expected to attract massive participation from party faithful, aspirants, stakeholders, youth groups, and women leaders across the 25 local government areas of the state, as contestants battle for the party’s tickets in various federal constituencies.
Party officials described the exercise as more than an internal electoral process, insisting that it represents a critical test of the APC’s internal democracy, unity, and readiness for future electoral contests in Delta State.
According to the statement, members have been strongly advised to maintain peace, orderliness, and discipline throughout the exercise while adhering strictly to the guidelines governing the primaries.
The party leadership also urged members to cooperate with electoral officials and ward coordinators to ensure a transparent, credible, and hitch-free process capable of reflecting the true wishes of party members at the grassroots level.
Political observers believe the direct primaries could significantly redefine power blocs and alliances within the APC in Delta State, especially as new political realignments continue to emerge ahead of 2027.
Across several federal constituencies, consultations, lobbying, and last-minute negotiations reportedly intensified on Friday night as aspirants and their supporters made final moves to consolidate support at the ward level.
For many party faithful, the exercise is not merely about choosing candidates; it is about determining who carries the hopes, ambitions, and political identity of the APC into what promises to be one of the fiercest electoral cycles in Delta State’s recent history.
The APC leadership, however, reassured members of its commitment to fairness and inclusiveness, maintaining that every registered member would have the opportunity to participate freely in the democratic process.
As dawn breaks on Saturday and party members troop to their various ward centres, the primaries may ultimately become more than a contest of votes and popularity — they could emerge as the defining moment that reveals the true strength, structure, and soul of the APC in Delta State.
