Eshioromeh Sebastian and George OPARA
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing growing tension in its bid to produce flagbearers for the 2027 elections, as internal disagreements over consensus candidates threaten to tear apart the party’s unity drive across multiple states.
Discreet findings showed that adopting a consensus option is becoming practically difficult in several states, with stakeholders increasingly strategizing for direct primaries. This is particularly the case in states where party bosses are finding it hard to impose their preferred successors on aggrieved aspirants.
To break the ice, the APC leadership considered jettisoning its structured consensus plan in states where longstanding rivalries remain unresolved.
The party had initially sought to use consensus to achieve unity of command, strength, and undivided loyalty, but these efforts are now hanging by a thread.
But APC has now bowed to pressure, gave up on the controversial consensus arrangement to adopt direct primaries.
Premised on the revised political direction, the party has unveiled its timetable for primary elections for aspirants seeking to contest in the 2027 National Assembly, governorship, and presidential polls.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka in a signed press statement has released a compliant timetable on Monday April 20.
The Morka statement reads in parts, “The timetable outlines, among other activities, timelines for screening, appeals, and primary elections, as well as directives on the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms”.
He, however, reassured the party’s stance on impartiality to conduct a credible and transparent primary election.
This reality came as the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for political parties to submit lists of candidates draws closer.
States in Turmoil
Spear News gathered that while the consensus strategy for governorship candidates was relatively successful in Lagos and Ogun states, other states are witnessing a free-for-all, essentially in those states where governors are in their unreturnable second terms.
Investigations indicate that stakeholders in several state chapters of the APC are at loggerheads over the choice of governorship candidates. Specifically, the party is struggling to reach a solid agreement on consensus governorship candidates in Abia, Edo, Nasarawa, Kwara, Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, and Oyo states.
Abia State: Endorsement Crisis Threatens Party Implosion
In Abia State, the consensus option is in intensive care as the party faces a full-blown crisis over the alleged endorsement of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, as the consensus governorship candidate for 2027.
A chieftain of the APC in Abia, Chief Agwu Emeaba, has warned of an imminent implosion in the party, describing the endorsement as “divisive” and dangerous. He stated that with this move, “APC is walking into the 2027 cycle with an early but dangerous tension for a possible implosion.”
Emeaba argued that endorsing an aspirant without giving others a chance in an open contest could destroy the party’s prospects at the polls. He contended that the action by some APC stakeholders “further widened existing cracks and divisions within the Abia APC.”
The endorsement has effectively sidelined two other major aspirants: Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu, a businessman, and Chief Henry Ikoh, an industrialist and former Minister of State for Trade and Industry.
Mascot Kalu has outrightly rejected the consensus arrangement, declaring it “illegitimate, unacceptable, and null and void, ab initio.” He warned that “such an imposition will be met with stiff and unequivocal resistance.”
Another party chieftain, Apostle Chuks Alozie, added that adopting consensus to choose a governorship candidate in Abia will weaken internal democracy and breed factionalism, anti-party activities, and resentment.
He warned: “History shows that once there is an imposed candidate in a political party and members whose preferred candidates were shut out of the race become demoralised, the next is defection with their large number of supporters or you see things like factionalism and anti-party activities.”
Alozie further argued that rejecting the so-called consensus candidates in Abia APC would not only showcase the democratic nature of the party but also project the quality of various flag bearers. He urged the State Working Committee to uphold the sanctity of open primaries and reject any move for a consensus governorship candidate.
Meanwhile, the state APC Publicity Secretary, Comrade Uche Aguoru, has attempted to douse the tension, clarifying that the State Working Committee has not endorsed any aspirant for the governorship or any other elective position. He stressed that the SWC is not constitutionally empowered to endorse candidates and that its primary responsibility is to provide a neutral administrative platform that guarantees fairness and credibility in the party’s processes.
Edo State: Leaders Reject Speaker’s Third-Term Bid
In Edo State, the crisis is manifesting at the House of Assembly level. Leaders of the APC in Owan West Local Government Area have rejected the endorsement of the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, as the party’s candidate for a third term in the 2027 election.
The party leaders described the call for Agbebaku to emerge as the sole candidate as undemocratic and driven by narrow interests.
In a statement issued and signed by party executives, they declared: “We categorically state that this appeal does not represent the position of Owan West APC leadership or the collective will of the party in the local government and must be disregarded by party faithful and stakeholders.”
The leaders also alleged that Agbebaku’s actions during the last governorship election contributed to internal tensions, claiming that some members were subjected to harassment and intimidation.
Meanwhile, a coalition of stakeholders in Edo State has called on the party’s leadership to prioritise competence, credibility, and character in selecting candidates, throwing its weight behind Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu for the Edo South Senatorial ticket.
Nasarawa State: Direct Primaries Inevitable
In Nasarawa State, the consensus option has effectively collapsed. Governor Abdullahi Sule’s announcement of Senator Aliyu Wadada as his anointed candidate has fundamentally altered the political dynamics.
A former Inspector-General of Police and APC governorship aspirant, Mohammed Adamu, insists that the governor had previously promised to adopt direct primaries.
He stated categorically: “Consensus will never take place in Nasarawa State because when one out of many aspirants disagrees with the consensus, you go for direct primaries.”
Other aspirants have rejected the governor’s preferred candidate, creating a stalemate. There are strong indications that President Tinubu may step in to resolve the impasse, but party insiders say direct primaries are now the most likely outcome.
Kwara State: Four Power Blocs at War
In Kwara State, the party is grappling with deep-seated factional interests. While the governor is reportedly in favour of Kwara North producing his successor, other aspirants and political blocs are keeping their gaze on Kwara Central, creating a stalemate.
A party chieftain noted: “There is no single power centre that can impose consensus without resistance.” At least four distinct power blocs are jostling for control, making any form of consensus agreement nearly impossible.
Sources say the governor’s preferred candidate from Kwara North faces stiff opposition from powerful interests in Kwara Central and Kwara South, leaving the national leadership with no choice but to fall back on direct primaries.
Adamawa State: Ribadu’s Alleged Imposition Sparks Crisis
In Adamawa State, alleged attempts to impose a candidate, reportedly backed by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, have triggered strong resistance and raised fears of a major crisis within the state chapter.
Several governorship aspirants have rejected the alleged imposition, insisting on a level playing field. Party stakeholders warn that if the national leadership fails to intervene, the crisis could spiral out of control and lead to massive defections.
A source close to the state chapter disclosed: “The party is divided into two irreconcilable camps. One camp backs the NSA’s preferred candidate, while the other insists on an open primary. Consensus is dead on arrival in Adamawa.”
Bauchi State: Succession Anxiety Deepens
In Bauchi State, political uncertainty has intensified amid succession anxieties. A Tinubu loyalist has called on the party to back Dr. Bala Wunti as a consensus candidate, but no solid agreement has been reached.
Multiple aspirants are jockeying for position, and the governor, who is in his second term, has yet to publicly anoint a successor. This vacuum has created intense speculation and backroom manoeuvring.
Party insiders say the absence of a clear direction from the governor has emboldened several aspirants to forge ahead with their campaigns, making consensus increasingly unlikely.
Yobe State: Stakeholders Deadlocked
In Yobe State, stakeholders remain deadlocked over the choice of a consensus governorship candidate. While Governor Mai Mala Buni is expected to play a significant role in selecting his successor, several aspirants are resisting any form of imposition.
A party source revealed: “The governor wants a smooth transition, but the aspirants are not cooperating. Some of them have deep pockets and strong political networks. They are not ready to step down for anyone without a fight.”
The situation in Yobe mirrors that of other states where second-term governors are struggling to impose their preferred successors, with direct primaries emerging as the only viable solution.
Lagos State: A Different Battle
Even in Lagos, where a consensus appears to have been reached on Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat as the preferred candidate, there is internal strife.
The state chairman of the party, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, recently warned local council chairmen against publicly endorsing aspirants, describing such acts as unauthorised and contrary to the party’s democratic principles. He warned that premature endorsements could create unnecessary tension and deepen divisions.
“Some council chairmen have been raising the hands of aspirants and presenting them as consensus candidates without authorisation,” Ojelabi said. “This must stop immediately.”
Oyo State: Heavyweights Refuse to Bow
In Oyo State, the consensus option has also hit a brick wall. The trio of serving Senator Sharafadeen Alli, former Senate Leader Senator Teslim Folarin, and Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu continue to drag the governorship seat, alongside others like Senator Fatai Buhari.
A source revealed that despite declarations by some stakeholders, the aspirants are refusing to bow to a consensus candidate. Each of the heavyweights commands a significant political structure and loyal following, making any form of consensus agreement nearly impossible. Unlike Lagos and Ogun where consensus held, Oyo remains deeply divided.
Direct Primaries Loom Large
A top APC chieftain close to the development explained the party’s predicament: “Consultations and negotiations are still ongoing to arrive at consensus governorship candidates in other states aside from Lagos and Ogun that have been concluded. We are giving preference to the governors. The incumbent governors will be allowed to choose their successors. However, where there are disagreements with the governor’s candidate, as is the case in several states currently, we will go into direct primaries.”
Another senior source added: “The party cannot afford a situation where imposition leads to rebellion. If people feel excluded or short-changed, it could trigger defections or anti-party activities. So, in states where consensus is proving difficult, direct primaries may be the safer and more democratic route.”
Political analysts note that the APC’s drift towards direct primaries in multiple states carries significant risks, including higher costs, increased likelihood of violence, and the potential for post-primary litigations that could distract the party from the main election.
Waiver for Defectors
Meanwhile, incumbent governors who defected to the ruling party may have a waiver for renomination, our dependable sources affirmed. However, the National Chairman has struck a cautionary note, declaring that those dumping their political platforms would not be allowed to “hijack” the party structures, thereby leaving old members stranded.
Professor Yilwatda vowed that new entrants into the APC would not be allowed to displace members of the legacy groups, insisting that defectors must show evidence of resignation from their former parties before being considered for any waiver or special concession.
Conclusion
As the APC prepares to unveil its primary election timetable, the message is clear: consensus, while desirable, is proving elusive in too many states. From Abia in the South to Yobe in the North, from Edo in the Midwest to Adamawa in the Northeast, the party’s dream of a unified, consensus-driven nomination process is crumbling under the weight of ambition, suspicion, and political rivalry.
With President Tinubu and Professor Yilwatda now expected to make a final determination, all eyes are on the party’s National Working Committee. The coming days will reveal whether the APC can salvage consensus in any of these troubled states or whether direct primariesāwith all their attendant risksāwill become the order of the day.
What is certain, however, is that the road to 2027 is already proving to be a bumpy one for the ruling party.
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