The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing nationwide internal friction and high-profile defections following its primary elections and the official publication of candidate lists by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). While the electoral body's release of Form EC9 finalized major party flagbearers across the country, the aftermath has triggered intense disputes, court cases, and factional divisions within the ruling party. 

Widespread Disputes Across Multiple States

• Yobe State: Aspirant Mustapha Maihaja challenged the primary victory of Alhaji Baba Wali at the Federal High Court in Damaturu, citing procedural irregularities, while the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) prepares to challenge the ruling party.

• Nasarawa State: Former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) over alleged internal democracy breaches, and former agency chief Prof. Mohammed Haruna rejected the primary results favoring Ahmed Aliyu Wadada.

• Benue State: A fierce power struggle between Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume and Governor Hyacinth Alia led to candidate substitutions by the national leadership, sparking court challenges by sidelined aspirants and the defection of former Majority Leader Terseer Sater to the Accord Party.

• Adamawa State: Discontent over alleged candidate imposition led prominent figures like former senatorial candidate Peter Fwa and PDP governorship candidate Maurice Vunobolki to abandon the party for the Labour Party and PDP.

• Sokoto and Kebbi States: Kebbi South Senatorial District suffered a major blow after Senator Garba Maidoki defected to the ADC following screening disqualification, joining other prominent figures exiting the party.

• Kwara State: The G15 coalition of aggrieved aspirants rejected the governorship primary outcome, and Senator Saliu Mustapha defected to the PDP to secure a senatorial ticket, bolstering the opposition led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki.

• Imo and Ebonyi States: High-profile legal battles emerged, with Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and ex-Governor Rochas Okorocha challenging senatorial tickets in court, while Ebonyi State experienced deep political divisions between Governor Francis Nwifuru and Minister of Works David Umahi over legislative candidates.

Party Reconciliation Efforts Despite the turbulent political landscape, national and state leadership structures have intensified reconciliation efforts to unite members ahead of the polls. APC national leadership asserted that specialized committees are actively engaging aggrieved aspirants to extend an olive branch. State executives in regions like Gombe, Bayelsa, and Edo reported relative stability and ongoing dialogue to resolve local grievances, emphasizing that unity remains vital to secure electoral success in 2027.