The All Progressives Congress in Ogun State has announced detailed guidelines for the conduct of its forthcoming direct primary elections, reaffirming the adoption of the historic Option A4 voting system popularised during Nigeria’s 1992/1993 electoral era.
In a notice issued on May 15, 2026, and signed by the Ogun State Organising Secretary of the party, Comrade Yemi Adelani, the party said all eligible members would participate directly in the selection of candidates across the nine federal constituencies in the state.
The development signals the beginning of what observers describe as a high-stakes political contest within the ruling party ahead of future elections in the state.
According to the notice, every registered member of the APC would be entitled to vote through the Option A4 method, a transparent open-ballot system in which voters queue behind their preferred candidates for counting.
The party stated that victory would be determined by simple majority.
The exercise is expected to take place at the ward level across Ogun State, while results from various wards would be collated first at the local government level before final transmission to the state collation centre for official declaration.
Party officials emphasised that the primaries would not involve ballot papers or thumb-printing, stressing instead that accreditation and open queuing would form the basis of the process.
“The election commences by 1pm across the nine federal constituencies in Ogun State. No ballots, no thumb print. Option A4, same as 1992/1993 election,” the statement read.
The party further disclosed that candidates participating in the exercise would be allowed to deploy agents to monitor proceedings at polling locations in order to ensure transparency and credibility.
In another major clarification, the APC noted that the conduct and collation of results would be handled solely by party-appointed officials rather than the Independent National Electoral Commission, although INEC officials would monitor the exercise in line with electoral regulations.
The party also outlined strict eligibility requirements for members intending to vote. Members were directed to present either their temporary party cards or valid slips for authentication. However, the notice added that individuals whose names appear in the party register certified by INEC would still be eligible to participate even without slips.
The APC said accredited party registers certified by INEC would serve as the official voter register during the exercise, while accreditation of members would precede voting in all wards.
Political analysts say the return to the Option A4 system could strengthen transparency within the party’s internal democratic process, although concerns remain over possible tensions in highly contested constituencies.
The announcement has already generated intense political discussions among party loyalists and aspirants across Ogun State, with many members preparing for what could become one of the most closely watched primary elections in the state in recent years.
With the adoption of direct primaries and open voting, attention is now focused on how party leaders would manage competing interests and maintain unity after the emergence of candidates.
For many political observers, the Ogun APC primaries may ultimately serve as a major test of internal democracy, party discipline, and grassroots mobilisation within one of Nigeria’s most influential political parties.
