What should have marked the end of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s candidate selection process has instead triggered a fresh wave of internal disputes, with aggrieved aspirants rejecting the party’s final candidate lists, filing lawsuits, submitting petitions, and threatening defections ahead of the 2027 general election.
Rather than shifting focus to electioneering after submitting candidates’ names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the ruling party is grappling with widespread dissatisfaction over its nomination process. Many aspirants claim they legitimately won their primaries but were unlawfully replaced before the final list was sent to INEC.
Party sources disclosed that the APC received more than 700 petitions challenging the conduct and outcomes of its nationwide primaries. After reviewing reports from the Primary Election Appeal Committees, the National Working Committee (NWC), led by National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, upheld many results while approving changes in several states.
The revisions have sparked controversies in Benue, Ondo, Kogi, Abia, Oyo, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Kwara, Kaduna, Niger, Taraba, and Ebonyi, with critics alleging that the review altered the outcomes of duly conducted primaries.
In Benue, aggrieved aspirants have approached the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to stop the APC from substituting candidates they claim emerged from valid primaries. The court has ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the suit.
Ondo State has also witnessed multiple legal actions, with several aspirants challenging what they described as unlawful substitutions. Similar disputes have erupted in Kogi, where the replacement of Samuel Bamidele Aro with Senator Sunday Karimi has generated strong opposition.
In Abia, revisions to National Assembly nominations have divided the state chapter, with party leaders rejecting the revised list and accusing the national leadership of disregarding the outcome of the primaries.
The crisis has spread to Oyo, where six governorship aspirants rejected Senator Sharafadeen Alli’s emergence as the party’s candidate, while in Delta, former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege defected to the NDC after losing the Delta Central Senatorial primary.
Complaints have also emerged from Lagos, Ogun, Kwara, Kaduna, Niger, Taraba, and Ebonyi, where dissatisfied members continue to demand reviews of the nomination process.
Political analysts warn that beyond court cases, the APC faces the challenge of managing discontent among aspirants and their supporters. Many disappointed politicians may remain within the party but quietly withdraw support from campaign efforts, while others could defect to rival parties.
The APC has already suffered notable defections, including former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, who left the party for the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Nasarawa, and several aggrieved members in Niger State who recently joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Observers say unless the ruling party successfully reconciles aggrieved members, the internal disputes could undermine its unity and electoral strength ahead of the 2027 general election.
