APC Primaries Begin Amid Protests, Intense Horse-Trading

As the All Progressives Congress begins its primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections, tension and intense lobbying have spread across many states, with party leaders struggling to stop internal disagreements from turning into a bigger crisis.

The primaries, which were earlier fixed for Friday, were later shifted to Saturday for House of Representatives aspirants, while consultations and negotiations continued late into the night in several parts of the country.

President Bola Tinubu, party governors, aspirants and stakeholders have all become involved in efforts to maintain peace within the ruling party as complaints over candidate selection, consensus arrangements and alleged imposition continue to grow. The unrest has affected states including Kano, Taraba, Kaduna, Oyo, Edo, Yobe, Kwara and Abia, where party members remain divided over the conduct of the primaries.

Ahead of the exercise, President Tinubu appealed to party members and aspirants to avoid actions capable of creating division within the APC. He urged both winners and losers to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid bitterness after the primaries. The President also warned against the return of violent and desperate politics, saying the party must remain united as it prepares for another election cycle.

Tinubu advised party leaders to allow fairness during the process and encouraged the use of consensus where possible to reduce tension among aspirants. He also asked security agencies to remain neutral and focus only on maintaining peace during the primaries.

Despite the appeal, disagreements continued in many states. In Abia State, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, denied reports that some aspirants had already been handed automatic tickets. He assured party members that candidates would emerge through democratic means and not through imposition. Former governor Orji Uzor Kalu also called for unity within the state chapter of the APC as preparations for the elections continue.

In Kano State, party leaders continued last-minute consultations in an attempt to reach agreements among aspirants contesting House of Representatives seats. However, some constituencies remained divided as supporters of rival aspirants insisted on direct primaries instead of consensus arrangements.

Taraba State also witnessed a breakdown in negotiations after several aspirants rejected requests to step down for preferred candidates. Party officials later formed another reconciliation committee to continue discussions with aggrieved aspirants. Some aspirants reportedly insisted on testing their popularity through direct primaries rather than accepting consensus decisions.

In Yobe State, efforts to settle disagreements among aspirants also failed to produce a final agreement, forcing the party to prepare for primaries. Governor Mai Mala Buni reportedly returned to the state to personally supervise consultations with party leaders and aspirants in a bid to calm the situation.

Kaduna State also recorded tension as the original state government announced the formation of a reconciliation committee to settle disputes arising from the primaries. The committee was created to engage aggrieved aspirants and prevent internal division within the party.

In Kwara State, uncertainty remained over whether the APC would use consensus or direct primaries. The state chapter said it was still waiting for instructions from the national leadership as political calculations intensified among governorship aspirants.

Oyo State witnessed protests by angry party members who accused some leaders of trying to impose candidates. The protesters stormed the party secretariat in Ibadan, leading to tension and destruction of property. Party officials later described the attack as the handiwork of disgruntled elements.

In Edo State, efforts by Governor Monday Okpebholo to produce consensus candidates also faced resistance as some aspirants refused to step down for preferred contenders. This development increased uncertainty in several constituencies where direct primaries may now take place.

While many states struggled with disagreements, Sokoto and Borno states recorded smoother arrangements. In Sokoto, party leaders agreed on consensus candidates for elective positions, while Borno APC leaders adopted former Commissioner for Works, Mustapha Gubio, as consensus governorship candidate after consultations led by Governor Babagana Zulum.

Governor Zulum also appealed to aspirants to support consensus decisions in the interest of party unity. He assured party members that no candidate would be forced on any constituency and promised political appointments for aspirants who voluntarily withdrew from contests.

The APC primaries are expected to continue across the country until the presidential primary scheduled for May 25, 2026. As the process moves forward, party leaders remain focused on preventing further division ahead of the 2027 general elections.