Fresh crises is brewing in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa, Nasarawa, Niger and other states as activities towards the 2027 general elections gathers momentum.
There have been agitations in some states with aggrieved aspirants and stakeholders raising concerns that some governors have hijacked the distribution of expression of interest and nomination forms meant for the states with a view to allocating them to preferred candidates.
Last week, President Bola Tinubu met with APC governors barely 24 hours after he held an emergency session with the leadership of the Senate amid rising concerns over candidates selection in several states.
Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), said after the meeting that it was to guarantee transparent primaries and party unity. “We have discussed the process moving forward so that there will be free and fair elections without rancour. At the end, the party should emerge stronger.”
Niger State Governor Umar Bago said President Tinubu reaffirmed his support for the governors and granted them flexibility to adopt either consensus or direct primaries, in line with the Electoral Act.
The meetings form part of ongoing efforts by the APC leadership to manage internal tensions and strengthen cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A National Assembly source disclosed that the earlier meeting with senators centred on complaints over the growing use of consensus arrangements in state chapters, allegedly controlled by governors.
The development, the source said, has sidelined some lawmakers seeking return tickets to the Senate.
“The governors have taken charge of the structures in their states, leaving many senators stranded,” the source said.
Meanwhile, APC stakeholders in Agwara/Borgu federal constituency in Niger State have rejected the directive of Governor Bago that the party sticks to the zoning formula and consensus arrangements to produce candidates for the forthcoming elections.
The governor had during an expanded party stakeholders meeting at the Government House in Minna last week, directed that the party maintain the zoning system and adopt consensus arrangement to pick candidates for various elective positions for the forthcoming elections.
The governor, however, maintained that where the consensus arrangement fails, a direct mode of primary elections be conducted to pick candidates in line with the guidelines of the party.
But after a meeting of party stakeholders in Agwara/Borgu Federal Constituency on Sunday in Borgu, headquarters of Borgu Local Government Area, it was resolved that all elective offices in the area remain open to all qualified aspirants in line with the party guidelines and democratic norms.
The stakeholders in a communique at the end of the meeting chaired by the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, stated that there was no existing agreement, understanding or resolution whatsoever zoning the House of Representatives or any political office to a particular local government area for the 2027 general elections.
The stakeholders said the decision was reached in order to promote harmony within the great party, adding however that the issue of zoning of political offices must be put on hold until 2031.
Part of the communique read: “That a zoning agreement has been duly and amicably reached between Borgu and Agwara Local Government Areas, in the overriding interest of fairness, balance, political inclusion, and enduring unity among all members of our constituency.
“That the agreed zoning arrangement shall commence from the 2031 general elections, to ensure orderly political succession and stability.”
They maintained that the resolutions represent the collective, binding position of all stakeholders present at the meeting and are issued to guide party members, supporters, and the general public.
While urging stakeholders to adhere strictly to the resolutions, the communique called on “all APC faithful and constituents to remain calm, united, and focused on delivering good governance and victory for our party at all levels.”
In Adamawa State, Elders of the Gongola Peoples have also rejected what they described as attempts by unnamed interests within the party to impose a governorship candidate.
Speaking at a press conference, yesterday in Abuja, Markus Gundiri warned that any attempt to circumvent internal democracy in the selection of the party’s flagbearer would be firmly resisted.
He insisted that while they support the continuation of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the broader objectives of the APC at the national level, such support does not extend to what they termed “undemocratic imposition” of candidates at the state level.
“We will not accept, tolerate, or allow any form of imposition on our people,” the group said. “Such tendencies are an affront to internal party democracy and a dangerous slide towards political authoritarianism.”
He also stressed that the choice of a governorship candidate must emerge from a transparent, free and fair primary election, warning that any manipulation of the process could weaken the party’s chances in the general election.
“All aspirants must be given a level playing field. Whoever emerges must do so through the genuine choice of party members and delegates, not through the dictates of a powerful few.”
He cautioned that disregard for the collective will of party stakeholders in Adamawa State could trigger resistance from ethnic nationalities within the region.
“Imposition only breeds resentment, weakens the party, and ultimately guarantees defeat at the general elections,” he warned.
He, therefore, called on the APC leadership at both national and state levels to ensure adherence to internal democratic processes, insisting that credibility and fairness remain essential to the party’s stability and electoral success.
He reaffirmed its commitment to justice, equity, fairness, and the empowerment of the people, urging political actors to respect democratic norms as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
Similarly, in Nasarawa State, the camp of former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, has alleged plans to coerce ward executives across the state to endorse a preferred governorship aspirant ahead of the party primaries.
Governor Abdullahi Sule, recently announced Senator Ahmed Wadada as his preferred APC governorship aspirant and successor in 2027.
Chairman, Counter and Mobilisation Team for the Adamu project, Isa Nathaniel, raised the alarm on Monday in Lafia, accusing unnamed party interests of attempting to coerce ward executives across the state into endorsing a candidate.
Describing the development as a threat to internal democracy, Nathaniel said the alleged move amounts to “a calculated assault on democracy” and a direct violation of the party’s constitution.
“What is unfolding in Lafia today is not politics; it is a calculated assault on democracy,” he said. “We have received credible and corroborated intelligence of a coordinated scheme to pressure ward executives across the 147 wards of the state into endorsing a governor-preferred aspirant.”
He added that such actions, if allowed to stand, would undermine the credibility of the party’s primary process and create deep divisions within its ranks.
Nathaniel noted that the alleged plan runs contrary to the decision of APC stakeholders, who had earlier adopted direct primaries for all elective positions as a way of ensuring transparency and fairness.
“That resolution was meant to guarantee a ‘one member, one vote’ system and dismantle undue influence by powerful interests,” he stated. “What we are witnessing now is a betrayal of that agreement, a situation where democracy is preached in Abuja but undermined in Lafia.”
Citing provisions of the APC Constitution (2022 as amended), he stressed that there is no basis for intimidation or forced endorsements in the emergence of candidates.
“To compel ward executives under pressure is not only unconstitutional, it is an abuse of power and a disgrace to the ideals of the party,” Nathaniel said. “Ward executives are representatives of the grassroots, accountable to members, not instruments for political imposition.”
He warned that producing a candidate through coercion could backfire electorally and weaken the party’s chances in the general election.
“A candidate produced through intimidation carries no legitimacy or moral authority. You cannot build victory on injustice, nor demand loyalty from members whose voices you have silenced,” he said.
Nathaniel called on President Tinubu and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC to urgently intervene to prevent what he described as an unfolding illegality.
“We call on the President to take immediate notice of this development and act decisively to protect the integrity of the party in Nasarawa State,” he said. “The National Working Committee must step in to halt this process and restore constitutional order.”
He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to remain vigilant, warning that any attempt to impose candidates could pose a threat to public peace.
“The choice of the APC flagbearer must be determined through a free, fair and credible primary election, not through intimidation or secret arrangements,” he said.
Nathaniel further appealed to party members and supporters of Adamu to remain calm and law-abiding, urging them to prepare for the primary election.
“Do not be intimidated or provoked. Stand firm within the law and prepare for the primary election, where your vote, not anyone’s influence, will determine the future of the party,” he said.
He maintained that the APC must uphold democratic principles, insisting that the party “is not a private inheritance to be handed over at will.”
“In the end, power belongs to the people. The Constitution will prevail, and the ballot will speak,” he added.
Sun
