‎Ogun Not Affected, As APC Moves To Defuse Post-Primaries Crisis Across Seven States Amid 2027 Election Preparations

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified internal reconciliation efforts aimed at resolving widening post-primaries tensions in at least seven key states ahead of the 2027 general elections.

‎The affected states include Kwara, Nasarawa, Rivers, Adamawa, Benue, Bauchi, and Taraba, where disputes over primary election outcomes have triggered grievances, factional realignments, and rising fears of intra-party instability.

‎Party Reviews Candidate Selection Amid Rising Discontent

‎With the deadline for submission of candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) approaching, the APC is reportedly reassessing some of its nominated candidates to ensure broad acceptability and electoral competitiveness.

‎Party stakeholders say the intervention has become necessary following reports that several aspirants who lost in the primaries are dissatisfied and may withhold support or work against official candidates during the 2027 elections.

‎According to party sources, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the party’s national leader, is closely monitoring developments and has expressed commitment to resolving internal disputes before they escalate further. Senior party officials have also stepped in to mediate between rival blocs, with discussions reportedly centred on a “win-win” arrangement to preserve party unity.

‎In a related move, APC leadership has reportedly relocated deliberations to a private facility in Abuja, where a state-by-state review of contentious nominations is ongoing.

‎INEC Timeline Raises Pressure on Party Leadership

‎The urgency of the reconciliation efforts is heightened by the electoral timetable released by INEC, which sets the nomination window for the 2027 elections as follows:

‎- Presidential and National Assembly nominations: June 27 – July 11, 2026

‎- Governorship and State Assembly nominations: July 18 – August 8, 2026

‎- Final list publication: September–October 2026 (staggered across election categories)

‎Party leaders acknowledge that unresolved disputes could undermine compliance with these deadlines and weaken APC’s electoral strength.

‎State-by-State Flashpoints

‎Bauchi State

‎Tension emerged after former Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar lost the governorship primary to former Governor Mohammed Abubakar, who polled 57,517 votes against Tuggar’s 26,001. While Abubakar’s emergence has been defended by party leaders, critics within the party argue that his grassroots appeal remains questionable, citing his 2019 electoral defeat.

‎Benue State

‎Benue remains one of the most volatile states, with an ongoing power struggle between Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, over control of party structure and candidate selection.

‎Despite mediation efforts reportedly backed by President Tinubu, disagreements persist over ticket allocations for governorship, legislative, and state assembly positions. While some reconciliation steps have been taken, rival blocs continue to express dissatisfaction, raising fears of internal sabotage in the general election.

‎Rivers State

‎The APC is reviewing the implications of recent Court of Appeal pronouncements affecting its state leadership structure. While factional disputes between the Emeka Beke and Tony Okocha camps continue, the party maintains that the ruling does not invalidate its governorship primary outcome, which produced its candidate.

‎Kwara State

‎While governorship-related tensions have largely eased, disputes linger over senatorial and House of Representatives nominations. Concerns remain over potential fallout involving key figures such as Senators Sadiq Umar and Lola Ashiru, alongside allegations of irregularities in certain federal constituency primaries.

‎Nasarawa State

‎Internal tensions remain subdued but unresolved, with aggrieved aspirants reportedly preparing legal challenges against selected candidates. Party insiders warn that lack of accommodation for dissenting voices could trigger post-election backlash in the state.

‎Adamawa State

‎Although internal disputes persist over senatorial nominations, party stakeholders credit interventions by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, for stabilising the state chapter through negotiated compromises between competing blocs.

‎Taraba State

‎The APC in Taraba is reportedly facing severe internal fragmentation following the emergence of its governorship candidate, leading to defections and weakening party cohesion. Sources describe the situation as one of the most critical crises currently confronting the party.

‎Leadership Intervention and Internal Review

‎Party insiders confirm that the National Working Committee (NWC) is currently reviewing petitions from multiple states, with complaints ranging from alleged manipulation of primaries to concerns over candidate imposition by powerful state actors.

‎A senior APC official noted that the challenge extends beyond internal party administration, stressing that the party is prioritising electability ahead of loyalty to primary outcomes.

‎“There is a need to balance justice for aspirants with electoral viability. Our concern is not just who won the primaries, but who can win the general election,” the source said.

‎The party also confirmed that consultations with President Tinubu may be expanded to finalise a harmonised list capable of reducing internal resistance.

‎Akpabio Calls for Inclusion of Lawmakers

‎Senate President Godswill Akpabio has also weighed in on the crisis, urging the APC leadership to ensure that sitting federal lawmakers are carried along in final candidate decisions. He warned that delays in releasing the final list are creating anxiety among lawmakers ahead of INEC deadlines.

‎Growing Concern Over Electoral Risks

‎Party stakeholders have privately identified Kwara, Nasarawa, Rivers, Adamawa, Benue, and Bauchi as “high-risk” states where unresolved grievances could weaken APC’s performance in 2027.

‎With internal negotiations ongoing, party leaders are hopeful that a final reconciliation framework will be reached before INEC’s nomination deadlines, in order to present a united front for the forthcoming elections.