Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress entered a critical phase of its 2027 election preparations on Friday as fierce lobbying, collapsed consensus talks and growing internal tensions erupted across several states ahead of nationwide primary elections.
The unrest has triggered emergency consultations among party leaders and key allies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, amid concerns that unresolved disputes could weaken party cohesion before the general elections.
The primaries, which begin with contests for House of Representatives seats and will culminate in the presidential primary on May 25, are widely viewed as an early test of the APC’s internal stability and political strength heading into the 2027 polls.
In a statement released ahead of the exercise, Tinubu appealed for restraint and unity among party members, warning against divisive politics and excessive rivalry.
“In every contest, there will be a winner and a loser,” Tinubu said. “The ultimate winners are those who don’t choose to wreck the boat but rather work to prepare for another round.”
The president also urged governors and party leaders to provide a level playing field for aspirants and avoid candidate imposition, while encouraging greater inclusion of women and youth in the party’s selection process.
Despite the appeal, consensus negotiations broke down in several politically strategic states, including Kano, Taraba, Kaduna, Oyo, Edo, Kwara and Yobe, with aspirants resisting pressure to withdraw for preferred candidates.
In Kano State, party officials confirmed that consultations over consensus candidates remained unresolved late Thursday, raising the likelihood of divisive direct primaries across several constituencies.
Similar tensions emerged in Taraba State, where multiple aspirants rejected efforts to step down for incumbents, forcing the party to prepare for competitive direct primaries in key districts.
In Oyo State, protests broke out at the APC secretariat in Ibadan as angry party members accused leaders of attempting to impose candidates. Party officials alleged that hoodlums attacked the premises and damaged vehicles and office property during the unrest.
Meanwhile, in Edo State, attempts by Governor Monday Okpebholo to secure consensus arrangements reportedly met resistance from rival aspirants who insisted on contesting the primaries.
In contrast, APC chapters in Sokoto State and Borno State appeared to achieve smoother consensus arrangements following extensive consultations by party stakeholders.
In Borno, Governor Babagana Zulum successfully secured support for former Works Commissioner Mustapha Gubio as consensus governorship candidate after rival aspirants agreed to withdraw.
Political analysts say the APC’s ability to manage internal disputes during the primaries could significantly shape Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly as opposition parties seek to capitalise on any cracks within the ruling coalition.
Separately, a political controversy erupted in Lagos after Femi Gbajabiamila disclosed that the alleged involvement of lawmaker Desmond Elliot in the failed impeachment attempt against former Lagos Assembly Speaker Mudasiru Obasa nearly cost him his position as presidential chief of staff.
Gbajabiamila claimed President Tinubu personally confronted him over intelligence reports linking Elliot to the crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly, although he said he defended the lawmaker and denied any involvement in the political dispute.
The revelation has intensified political tensions within the APC in Lagos ahead of the state-level primaries, especially as Elliot seeks another term in office amid opposition from rival factions within the party.