𝗔𝗣𝗖 𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗚 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗥𝗦: 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗼𝗼 𝗜𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁....𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐚, 𝐁𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐨, 𝐉𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐰𝐚 𝐀𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐎𝐧𝐝𝐨, 𝐘𝐨𝐛𝐞, 𝐎𝐠𝐮𝐧, 𝐒𝐨𝐤𝐨𝐭𝐨, 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐨, 𝐄𝐤𝐢𝐭𝐢, 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞, 𝐎𝐲𝐨, 𝐆𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐞, 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐮, 𝐊𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐚, 𝐑𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐬 𝐀𝐬 𝐄𝐝𝐨, 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐩𝐭 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡.

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐚, 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚.

Fresh cracks have emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections as several states remain sharply divided over the adoption of consensus candidates and direct primaries.

While some APC-controlled states have embraced consensus arrangements to preserve party unity and avoid internal conflicts, others are witnessing growing resistance from aspirants demanding transparent and competitive primaries in line with the Electoral Act 2025.

APC National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, confirmed that the party has officially adopted direct primary for the presidential election, declaring that any aspirant willing to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the party’s presidential ticket is free to contest.

Vice President Kashim Shettima submitted President Tinubu’s nomination forms on Thursday in Abuja alongside top APC leaders and governors, reaffirming the party leadership’s endorsement of Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝘀

In Katsina State, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda defended the adoption of consensus primaries, saying party stakeholders unanimously agreed to preserve APC unity and cohesion ahead of the elections.

Borno APC stakeholders also settled for consensus, adopting former Commissioner of Works, Mustapha Gubio, as the preferred governorship candidate after Senator Kakashehu Lawan stepped down from the race in the interest of party unity.

Jigawa APC similarly adopted consensus for senatorial, House of Representatives and State Assembly positions to reduce political tension and avoid costly internal battles, although some aggrieved supporters have expressed dissatisfaction on social media.

In Zamfara, consensus was adopted for the governorship position with Governor Dauda Lawal emerging as sole candidate, while other constituencies may still witness direct primaries where consensus fails.

Edo State is also operating a mixed arrangement, with consensus already favouring some sitting lawmakers including Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Senator Joe Ikpea in Edo North and Edo Central respectively.

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝘀, 𝗣𝘂𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀

In Yobe State, serious opposition has trailed the endorsement of former SSG Baba Wali as consensus governorship candidate. Aspirants including Senator Ibrahim Bomai and Musa Tumsah rejected the arrangement, insisting the process lacked fairness and transparency.

In Ogun State, fierce rivalry has broken out particularly in the Ogun East Senatorial District between Governor Dapo Abiodun and former Governor Gbenga Daniel over the party’s consensus arrangement.

Several aspirants in Ogun West are also resisting alleged imposition of candidates.

Kano APC is equally witnessing internal resistance as youth groups and stakeholders rejected moves to hand Kano Central Senatorial ticket to former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau without a proper contest.

Oyo State has also become a battleground among governorship aspirants. While some party leaders reportedly favour consensus around Senator Sharafadeen Alli, aspirants including former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and others are insisting on direct primaries.

In Sokoto State, fresh divisions have surfaced following the party’s alleged endorsement of preferred candidates for major elective positions, with some lawmakers and stakeholders rejecting the arrangement.

Ondo State appears set for full direct primaries as almost all aspirants across senatorial, House of Representatives and State Assembly positions have already purchased nomination forms and rejected consensus talks.

Ekiti APC has openly advised aspirants to prepare for direct primaries wherever genuine consensus fails.

Benue APC Chairman, Benjamin Omale, also confirmed that the party has resolved to conduct direct primaries in the state, despite disagreements over automatic tickets between Governor Hyacinth Alia and SGF George Akume.

In Gombe State, former ministers Isa Pantami and Saidu Alkali rejected the consensus arrangement that produced Jamilu Gwamna as governorship candidate, insisting the process should be subjected to direct primaries.

Kwara APC leadership admitted that consultations are ongoing and no final decision has been reached on whether the party will adopt consensus or direct primaries.

Plateau APC also disclosed that both options remain open depending on the outcome of consultations among stakeholders.

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗹𝗹

Despite the widespread endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by APC governors, the National Working Committee and party stakeholders, the party leadership maintained that the presidential ticket remains open for contest through direct primary.

APC National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, stated clearly:

“Whoever is willing to contest against President Tinubu can do so.”

The APC primaries are scheduled to begin from May 15, 2026, while the presidential primary election will hold on May 23, 2026 ahead of the 2027 general elections.