Deep Cracks in APC Following Intra-Party Primaries in Nigeria: Candidates and Governors Blame Each Other

Nigeria's ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is on the verge of a serious internal crisis following the primaries it organized for the 2027 elections. Gubernatorial and legislative aspirants in Rivers, Lagos, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Cross River, Benue, Oyo, Bayelsa, Ogun, Edo, Imo, and Niger states have raised allegations of manipulation, imposition, and a lack of respect for intra-party democracy during the process. The party leadership has mobilized to manage this crisis and repair the damages before the candidate lists are officially submitted. However, in many states, tensions between the parties remain high, and reconciliation efforts appear to have already reached a deadlock. This situation poses a major threat to the party's unity in the upcoming elections.

The situation has become particularly tense and fragile in Rivers State. The deep rift between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and figures loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara grew even wider during the evaluation and elimination process of the aspirants. While 40 Assembly members were expected to be approved as candidates, the disqualification of 32 aspirants thought to be close to Fubara for various reasons, ranging from unpaid dues to bribery allegations, sparked a massive backlash. The elimination of high-profile figures such as Senator Ipalibo Banigo and businessman Jack Rich Tein caused severe outrage within the party. A party faction led by Emeka Beke issued a statement calling for the annulment of all primaries conducted by the rival faction based on court rulings, further declaring that gubernatorial candidate Kingsley Chinda lacks legitimacy. Governor Fubara's inadequate reconciliation efforts have fueled rumors that his supporters might defect to the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

In Lagos State, submitting the candidate lists to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was not enough to quell the anger. A number of incumbent lawmakers, reportedly backed by the Governance Advisory Council, lost their tickets as they were denied re-nomination. The failure of 14 members in the 40-member Lagos State House of Assembly to secure return tickets affected figures including Majority Leader Noheem Adams and Chief Whip Fatai Mojeed. Prominent members of the House of Representatives, such as Kafilat Ogbara and Ganiyu Adele Ayuba, also fell short in these primaries. Although no major lawsuits or large-scale party defections by civil society organizations have been recorded yet, political observers warn that these unresolved grievances could pave the way for serious political realignments in the future. Lagos APC Chairman Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi appealed to the aggrieved members, calling on them to accept the results and work for the unity of the party.

The events in Kaduna State also reveal the extent of hierarchical interference within the party. The party's National Working Committee (NWC) replaced Uba Sani's ally, Samaila Abdu Suleiman, in favor of Abdulazeez Kaka for the Kaduna North federal constituency seat. Former Speaker Yusuf Zailani, who lost against consensus candidate Shehu Sani in the Kaduna Central senatorial race, dismissed rumors of leaving the party and emphasized his loyalty. However, aspirants such as Danjuma Laah, Michael Ayuba Auta, and Yusuf Bala Ikara were seen previously threatening to pursue legal action. In addition to this, consensus candidate debates are continuing heatedly in Ebonyi State; in the Afikpo/Edda federal constituency, the party selected former Minister of Health Joseph Ekumankama as the flag bearer instead of Iduma Igariwey Enwo, who had been declared the winner by the party's own electoral committee. Following this development, Governor Francis Nwifuru went to Abuja, along with other governors whose candidates were changed, to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Cross River State stands out as the region experiencing perhaps the most extensive and unresolved internal disagreements. In the Central Senatorial District, incumbent Senator Eteng Jonah Williams lost to Chief Oden Ewa amid major question marks and objections regarding the winner's eligibility. In the North, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe was only able to win the fierce race against former Governor Ben Ayade as a result of the Presidency's intervention. In the Southern part, Daniel Asuquo's refusal to declare his support became even more complicated by the withdrawals that occurred in the evening hours. Following this chaos and the subsequent protests, Governor Bassey Otu established a 21-member reconciliation committee and announced that nomination fees would be refunded to the defeated aspirants. On the other hand, in Benue State, the National Working Committee's overturning of many primary results and substitution of numerous candidates caused a profound shock within the local party base. All these developments demonstrate that Nigeria's leading party must find urgent and radical solutions to heal these deep internal rifts before facing the attacks of the country's main opposition.