The latest round of All Progressives Congress primaries across several states has shifted attention to the party’s ability to manage internal disagreements ahead of the 2027 general elections, as consensus victories, complaints of irregularities and allegations of exclusion emerged from different parts of the country. The exercises, held on Saturday and Sunday, produced candidates for House of Representatives seats in states including Kaduna, Rivers, Delta, Edo, Katsina and Ogun.
In Kaduna State, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, secured the APC ticket for Zaria Federal Constituency unopposed after an affirmation process conducted across the constituency’s wards. His deputy, Benjamin Kalu, also emerged as the party’s candidate for Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State through a unanimous endorsement by party members. In Katsina, Yusuf Buhari, son of former President Muhammadu Buhari, defeated Auwal Daura in the Sandamu/Daura/Mai’adua contest with more than 6,000 votes recorded by party officials.
The primaries also highlighted the growing influence of established political blocs in some states. In Rivers State, Martin Amaewhule won the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency ticket, while several aspirants believed to be aligned with Governor Siminalayi Fubara were disqualified from the process. Some party members described the development as a sign of widening divisions within the state chapter of the APC. One aggrieved aspirant, Legborsi Yamaabana, announced his resignation from the party, alleging that the screening process favoured loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Elsewhere, reactions to the conduct of the primaries varied sharply. In Oyo and Edo states, party officials commended the exercise as orderly and transparent, while in Ondo and Cross River states, some aspirants questioned the credibility of the process. Complaints ranged from delayed arrival of election materials to allegations that results were announced in some areas before voting concluded. In Cross River, some dissatisfied aspirants warned that unresolved grievances could weaken party cohesion before the general election.
Despite the tensions, governors and party leaders in several states appealed for unity and discipline among members. Governors Sheriff Oborevwori, Dikko Umaru Radda and Francis Nwifuru all praised the peaceful conduct of the exercises in their respective states and urged members to support the party’s candidates. In Enugu State, the APC leadership described the primaries as credible after lawmakers emerged through consensus arrangements monitored by party stakeholders.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, confirmed that some National Assembly primaries in Zamfara State had been rescheduled to allow the party complete its internal process. Political observers say the varying outcomes across states have underscored the challenge facing the ruling party as it seeks to balance consensus politics, internal democracy and competing power interests ahead of the 2027 elections.
