Ruling party, the All Progressives Congress is facing growing internal tensions in several states over the adoption of consensus arrangements ahead of the 2027 general elections, with some aspirants and stakeholders pushing for open and competitive primaries.
Katsina, Borno and Jigawa states have embraced consensus to avoid internal disputes and maintain party unity, but in some other states resistance is mounting In Ondo, Benue, Oyo, Ogun, Plateau, Sokoto, Kwara and Yobe,aspirants are demanding transparent contests.
Vice President Kashim Shettima had on Thursday, submitted the completed expression of interest and nomination forms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the APC national leadership in Abuja, urging Nigerians to support Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
Speaking at the event, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda said the party’s National Executive Committee and National Working Committee had endorsed Tinubu for a second term, describing the move as a continuation of ongoing reforms.
The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Bashiru, said the party adopted direct primaries for the presidential ticket, adding that any aspirant interested in contesting against Tinubu would be free to do so.
Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, also reaffirmed governors’ support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
The party began the sale of nomination forms on April 28, while screening of aspirants is expected to end on May 12. Primaries for various elective offices will hold between May 15 and May 23.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed January 16, 2027 for Presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and State Assembly polls will hold on February 6, 2027.
In Katsina State, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda defended the adoption of consensus candidates, saying stakeholders agreed on the arrangement to sustain party cohesion and strengthen the APC ahead of the elections.
In Borno State, stakeholders reportedly settled for former Commissioner of Works, Mustapha Gubio, as consensus governorship candidate after Senator Kakashehu Lawan withdrew from the race in the interest of party unity.
Similarly, APC stakeholders in Jigawa adopted consensus for senatorial, House of Representatives and State Assembly tickets, although reports indicate growing dissatisfaction among some unsuccessful aspirants and their supporters.
In Zamfara State, the APC adopted consensus for some positions, including the governorship, where Governor Dauda Lawal emerged as sole candidate, while direct primaries are expected in other constituencies.
In Yobe State, APC stakeholders also reaffirmed their support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027 and restated the party’s preference for consensus candidacy for major elective positions in the state.
However, the endorsement has reportedly deepened divisions within the party and intensified calls for direct primaries among aggrieved aspirants.
Less than 24 hours after the announcement, Senator Ibrahim Bomai rejected the consensus arrangement, describing the endorsement as contrary to democratic principles and internal party democracy.
“We categorically reject this attempt to subvert due process. We reject the culture of imposition. We reject any scheme that undermines fairness, equity and the democratic rights of our people,” he stated.
Another governorship aspirant, Musa Tumsah, also opposed the endorsement of Mai Mala Buni Wali as the consensus candidate.
Although Tumsah did not publicly issue a detailed statement, associates close to him confirmed that he and his supporters were dissatisfied with the arrangement, insisting the consensus process lacked transparency and fairness.
Findings further showed that several governorship aspirants who rejected the arrangement are now pushing for direct primaries ahead of the APC governorship contest in the state.
Those reportedly preparing for the primaries include Bomai, Tumsah, Lawan Geidam, former senatorial candidate Bashir Machina, and former Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba.
The development indicates that efforts by the APC leadership to produce a consensus governorship candidate in Yobe may face significant challenges as aggrieved aspirants intensify consultations and mobilisation across the three senatorial zones.
