Internal Cracks Deepen in APC Over Candidate Selection Ahead of 2027 Primaries

ABUJA: The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing severe internal friction as it commences its legislative and gubernatorial primary elections. A widespread rebellion by party aspirants against state governors over the alleged imposition of "consensus" candidates has forced the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to retreat from a blanket consensus policy, opting instead to deploy materials for direct primaries across multiple states.

While the 31 APC-controlled state governors have successfully closed ranks to secure a consensus return ticket for President Bola Tinubu, resistance remains fierce at the state and legislative levels. The internal friction sets a tense backdrop for the party's upcoming primary cycle, which concludes with the presidential primary on May 23.

National Leadership Issues Stern Warning

Amid rising tensions, APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, issued a strong warning against internal disruption. Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda stated that the party would not tolerate anti-party activities, unrest, or sabotage.

"Any aspirant or supporter found instigating violence, sponsoring unrest, engaging in anti-party activities, or attempting to undermine the integrity of the process would face severe disciplinary measures, including immediate suspension from the party," Yilwatda warned.

He urged contestants to demonstrate sportsmanship and accept the democratic outcomes of the field exercises.

Governors Submitting Tinubu’s Forms Amid Lone Challenge

The Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), led by Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma, formally submitted President Tinubu’s nomination and expression of interest forms in Abuja, affirming a unified consensus backing for the President's second-term bid.

According to Uzodimma, the move fulfills resolutions passed during last year's APC Political Summit. To date, only one party chieftain, Stanley Osifo, has obtained forms to challenge the incumbent President.

State-by-State Breakdown of Internal Conflicts

Despite federal-level unity, localized battles highlight a deep divide between state executives pushing for consensus and aspirants demanding direct primary voting.

Southwest: Ogun and Ondo

• Ogun State: Senator Gbenga Daniel is set to contest the Ogun East senatorial ticket against the preferences of Governor Dapo Abiodun. Concurrently, gubernatorial aspirant Gboyega Isiaka has rejected consensus pathways amid widespread institutional endorsements for Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi).

• Ondo State: In the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency, party stakeholders have launched protests against an alleged backroom plot to hand a "consolation" House of Representatives ticket to Hon. Mathew Oyerinmade following a failed senatorial bid.

North-Central: Nasarawa, Niger, and Kaduna

• Nasarawa State: The race has turned highly adversarial. Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Muhammed Adamu, a gubernatorial aspirant, openly criticized Governor Abdullahi Sule’s endorsement of rival Senator Ahmed Wadada. Adamu’s campaign team and the Nasarawa APC Integrity Forum went further, accusing the state leadership of manipulating ward executives and allegedly rigging the process prior to voting.

• Niger State: Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago indicated that while the state preferred consensus, it would immediately default to direct primaries in constituencies where stakeholders failed to agree.

• Kaduna State: A high-stakes dispute has erupted in the Kaduna Central Senatorial District. Stakeholders and local officials endorsed Shehu Sani, drawing fierce protests from rival aspirants Yerima Shettima and former State Assembly Speaker Yusuf Ibrahim Zailani. In response to the friction, Governor Uba Sani has constituted a consensus and harmonization committee to defuse the situation.

South-South & Southeast: Rivers and Imo

• Rivers State: Gubernatorial aspirant Tonye Patrick Cole categorically denied the existence of any consensus agreement in the state, insisting on direct primaries. Cole also dismissed any political threat from recently defected Governor Siminalayi Fubara, asserting they stand on equal footing.

• Imo State: Governor Hope Uzodimma announced that the state would utilize the Option A4 voting method (open queuing) to ensure total transparency. Uzodimma reported that 9 senatorial aspirants and 107 House of Assembly aspirants are cleared to clear the field, promising that the "Imo Charter of Equity" zoning agreements would be strictly respected.

Northern Strongholds: Gombe, Kebbi, Bauchi, Yobe, and Zamfara

• Gombe State: Former Minister of Communications, Prof. Isa Pantami, praised the national screening process but flatly rejected reports of a state-level consensus, demanding independently managed direct primaries.

• Bauchi State: Former Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar raised concerns over a sudden influx of eleventh-hour aspirants, urging the NWC to audit the transparency of the process and weed out proxy candidates.

• Kebbi State: Dr. Kabiru Sani Giant publicly rejected consensus models for the Kebbi Central Senatorial seat, opting to challenge incumbent Senator Adamu Aliero through a direct popular vote.

• Yobe State: In a rare victory for the consensus model, retired IGP Usman Alkali Baba withdrew his gubernatorial bid in deference to the party's chosen consensus candidate, Baba Malam Wali.

• Zamfara State: Grassroots members and disqualified aspirants, including Hon. Sagir Mohammed Anka and former lawmaker Hon. Umar Mu’azu Maradun, rejected consensus arrangements completely. Citing past electoral defeats under imposed candidates, they demanded the adoption of the Option A4 system.

Current Primary Metrics (Selected States)

The scale of the internal contests is underscored by high aspirant turnouts across various legislative tracks:

Outlook

The NWC’s decision to decentralize voting and allow direct primaries where consensus fails reflects a pragmatic effort to avoid widespread party defections and litigation. With lower-house primaries serving as the opening salvo, the APC's internal democracy mechanisms will face their ultimate test in the coming days.