The ruling All Progressives Congress has entered one of its most turbulent internal seasons ahead of the 2027 general elections, with fierce resistance mounting against alleged attempts by governors and party power brokers to impose consensus candidates across several states.
As primaries for the House of Representatives commence today, cracks have emerged within the party over the adoption of consensus arrangements, particularly for governorship and legislative tickets, despite a united endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second-term presidential bid.
The growing tension has reportedly forced the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to abandon plans for a sweeping consensus strategy and instead deploy materials for direct primaries across the country.
Yilwatda Warns Against Violence, Anti-Party Activities
Amid escalating disputes, APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, issued a stern warning to aspirants and their supporters, cautioning against actions capable of destabilizing the primaries.
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, Yilwatda said the party would not tolerate violence, unrest, or attempts to undermine the credibility of the process.
“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,” he warned.
He also urged aspirants to embrace sportsmanship and accept the outcome of the exercise in the interest of party unity and democratic stability.
APC Governors Unite Behind Tinubu
While disputes rage at state levels, the party’s governors appear united on one front — President Tinubu’s re-election.
Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, announced that all 31 APC governors had endorsed Tinubu as the party’s consensus presidential candidate.
Speaking in Abuja during the submission of Tinubu’s nomination and expression of interest forms, Uzodimma described the move as a continuation of resolutions reached at the APC Political Summit last year.
“We are united and have reached a consensus in supporting Mr President to continue the good work he is doing,” he declared.
Only one party chieftain, Stanley Osifo, has reportedly obtained forms to challenge Tinubu for the presidential ticket.
Fierce Battles Brewing Across States
Despite the presidential consensus, governors and influential party leaders are facing stiff resistance from aspirants insisting on direct primaries.
In Ogun State, former Governor Gbenga Daniel is preparing for a showdown with Governor Dapo Abiodun over the Ogun East senatorial ticket, openly rejecting consensus arrangements.
Similarly, former lawmaker Gboyega Isiaka is pushing ahead with his governorship ambition despite widespread endorsements for Senator Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as a preferred candidate.
In Rivers State, former APC governorship candidate Tonye Patrick Cole dismissed claims of any consensus arrangement, insisting that only direct primaries were recognized in the state.
“The consensus process in Rivers State does not exist,” Cole declared, adding that all aspirants, including recently defected Governor Siminalayi Fubara, were on equal footing.
Nasarawa Crisis Deepens
One of the sharpest confrontations has emerged in Nasarawa State, where retired Inspector-General of Police Muhammed Adamu accused Governor Abdullahi Sule of backing Senator Ahmed Wadada as a preferred governorship candidate.
Adamu’s supporters went further, alleging a coordinated effort to pressure ward executives into endorsing Wadada before the primaries.
The Nasarawa APC Integrity Forum also accused party leaders of attempting to rig the process ahead of the exercise, calling on President Tinubu and the APC national leadership to intervene and ensure transparency.
Pantami, Tuggar Reject Consensus Politics
Former Minister of Communications, Isa Pantami, also rejected reports of consensus arrangements in Gombe State, describing direct primaries as critical to the survival of both the APC and Nigeria’s democracy.
In Bauchi, former Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar questioned the sudden influx of aspirants purchasing nomination forms shortly before screening, warning against manipulative practices designed to favour preferred candidates.
Option A4 Gains Momentum
Across several states, aspirants and party stakeholders are increasingly advocating the adoption of the Option A4 voting system, arguing that it offers greater transparency and prevents imposition.
In Imo State, Governor Uzodimma assured party members that no aspirant would be imposed on the people, while reaffirming the relevance of the state’s Charter of Equity and zoning arrangements.
He revealed that the APC would adopt the Option A4 method for its primaries, describing it as a transparent and credible process capable of reflecting the genuine will of party members.
Kaduna, Zamfara and Kebbi Witness Internal Pushback
In Kaduna State, a fresh power tussle erupted over the endorsement of former senator Shehu Sani for Kaduna Central Senatorial District, with rival camps demanding direct primaries instead of what they described as candidate imposition.
Meanwhile, APC members in Zamfara rejected consensus arrangements outright, accusing party leaders of manipulating the process for selfish political interests.
In Kebbi, senatorial aspirant Dr. Kabiru Sani Giant bluntly rejected consensus politics, insisting that candidates should emerge through the votes of party members rather than elite agreements.
NWC Retreats as Pressure Mounts
With resistance intensifying nationwide, the APC leadership appears to have shifted toward flexibility to avoid a deeper internal crisis.
A senior party source confirmed that reports from multiple states convinced the NWC to allow aspirants test their popularity through direct primaries wherever consensus could not be achieved.
The House of Representatives primaries mark the opening phase of what is expected to be a defining and highly contested internal battle within the APC ahead of the presidential primary scheduled for May 23.
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