APC primaries: Governors, consensus deals, protests delays rock 25 states

The governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were marked by widespread tension, delayed exercises, and controversial consensus arrangements across several states, with 25 states eventually producing candidates while others recorded postponements and internal disputes.

The party’s primaries, held across multiple states ahead of the 2027 general elections, were disrupted in Kwara, Bauchi, Zamfara, and parts of Nasarawa due to late arrival of materials, disagreement over consensus arrangements, and escalating factional tensions. The National Working Committee of the party postponed some of the exercises, citing the need to ensure a “transparent and credible” process.

In Kwara State, the postponement triggered intense political maneuvering, as multiple aspirants reportedly stepped down in favour of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s preferred successor, Amb. Yahaya Seriki. Party insiders described the development as a consensus-driven arrangement aimed at maintaining unity, though critics within the party alleged behind-the-scenes imposition.

Bauchi State also witnessed protests, as supporters of governorship aspirants accused unnamed party interests of attempting to manipulate the process. Protesters demanded transparency and insisted that results from ward levels be openly collated, warning against what they described as “hidden negotiations” and candidate imposition.

In Nasarawa, the exercise was marred by logistical delays, with electoral materials arriving late or not at all in several wards, leaving hundreds of party members stranded for hours. Despite the confusion, security agencies maintained order as aspirants waited for the process to conclude.

Meanwhile, in Rivers State, political tension deepened following the withdrawal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara from the governorship race, a move that sparked backlash from supporters who accused powerful political interests of influencing the decision. Despite the controversy, the party proceeded with collation in the state, producing Kingsley Chinda as its candidate.

Elsewhere, several governors and consensus-backed aspirants secured tickets in largely peaceful primaries across states including Delta, Enugu, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, and Lagos. In Lagos, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat emerged overwhelmingly as the party’s candidate after securing 657,917 votes, defeating his only rival by a wide margin.

However, the overall exercise also exposed internal divisions within the ruling party, with opposition voices, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), claiming the controversies could trigger further defections ahead of the 2027 elections.

Despite the mix of smooth outcomes and disputed processes, the APC maintains that the primaries reflect internal democracy and stakeholder consensus across its structures nationwide.