APC to Inaugurate Screening, Appeal Committees July 14 Ahead of Bye-Elections

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced plans to inaugurate its screening and appeal committees on Monday, July 14, 2025, in preparation for the upcoming legislative bye-elections scheduled to take place across various constituencies in the country.

This move marks a significant step in the party’s internal process of selecting candidates for vacant seats in the State Houses of Assembly, the House of Representatives, and the Senate.

According to a statement issued by the party on Saturday, the inauguration of the screening and appeal committee chairmen and secretaries will take place at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja by 9:00 a.m.

Following this, the screening of aspirants will commence at 10:00 a.m. at Amor Hotel in Katampe, opposite Aso Radio in the Federal Capital Territory. The screening exercise will serve as a vetting process to assess the eligibility and credentials of party members seeking to contest in the bye-elections under the APC platform.

Among the committee leadership announced by the party are Hon. (Mrs.) Dorah D. Ebong, who will chair the State House of Assembly Screening Committee I, Arc. Waziri Bulama, who will lead the House of Representatives Screening Committee I, and H.E. (Barr.) Ibrahim S. Shema, who will head the Senate Screening Committee. The appeal committees, which will also be inaugurated on the same day, will be responsible for reviewing petitions and disputes that may arise during or after the screening exercise.

The legislative bye-elections are being organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill vacant legislative seats resulting from resignations, court nullifications, or deaths of sitting lawmakers. As part of its preparations, the APC had earlier commenced the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms to interested aspirants, signaling the beginning of the party’s internal electoral process.

Party officials say the inauguration of the committees is in line with APC’s commitment to ensuring transparency, discipline, and merit in the selection of its flagbearers.

The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) has reiterated its stance on upholding internal democracy and adherence to party guidelines throughout the election cycle.

While the APC has not yet released a complete list of constituencies where the bye-elections will take place, political analysts expect intense contests in some areas, especially where the party faces internal competition or external pressure from rival parties.

The screening exercise on Monday is expected to set the stage for the party primaries, which will be held in the coming weeks.

As the ruling party continues its preparations, observers and party stakeholders are watching closely to see how the APC manages this crucial phase of the electoral process.

The outcome of the screenings and the eventual emergence of candidates could influence the political landscape in both state and federal legislatures ahead of the bye-elections.