Tinubu Assigns Gbajabiamila, Masari to Oversee APC NASS Primaries

President Bola Tinubu has directed his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari, to supervise the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections for National Assembly seats ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The decision follows consultations with members of the Senate and House of Representatives, many of whom have called for stricter adherence to internal party processes.

Under the arrangement, Gbajabiamila and Masari will coordinate with APC state governors, the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), as well as the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly. Their role is to provide oversight and ensure the primaries are conducted in an orderly and transparent manner.

They are also expected to maintain regular communication with the President, providing updates on the conduct of the primaries nationwide.

Despite the new supervisory structure, the APC National Secretariat will retain its constitutional responsibility for organising the primaries. This includes issuing notices, screening aspirants, deploying election panels, and announcing results in line with the Electoral Act and party guidelines.

The supervisory team’s mandate will focus on political coordination, monitoring compliance with procedures, and managing disputes that may arise during the process.

There have been calls from some party stakeholders to broaden the supervisory framework to include more figures. However, the President has declined these suggestions, citing concerns that an expanded structure could interfere with the party’s formal responsibilities and the integrity of the primary elections.