APC primaries deepen party rift as 26 Reps lose tickets

Allegations of imposition, manipulated consensus deals, and disqualifications have plunged the All Progressives Congress (APC) into fresh turmoil after dozens of serving lawmakers were edged out of the party’s House of Representatives primaries ahead of the 2027 elections.

The ruling APC has been thrown into a deep internal crisis following contentious House of Representatives primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, with at least 26 serving lawmakers losing return tickets amid widespread allegations of manipulation, imposition, and engineered consensus arrangements.

The primaries, conducted across several states including Rivers State, Edo State, Imo State, Lagos State, Kwara State, Benue State, Ekiti State, Plateau State and Cross River State, exposed widening cracks within the governing party as governors, influential political blocs, and party powerbrokers battled fiercely for control of candidacies. The exercise, expected to consolidate the party ahead of the polls, instead left many lawmakers sidelined and intensified discontent among party loyalists.

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Several aspirants were also disqualified during the screening process, while others reportedly withdrew under pressure in what insiders described as carefully coordinated consensus arrangements designed to favour preferred candidates. The development has sparked outrage among party members who accused the leadership of undermining internal democracy and imposing candidates against the wishes of grassroots supporters.

Aggrieved lawmakers and aspirants have already threatened legal action, insisting the primaries did not reflect fairness, transparency, or due process. Some lawmakers alleged that delegates’ lists were manipulated, while others claimed screening outcomes were predetermined long before the exercise commenced.

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, confirmed that 14 aspirants were disqualified during the screening exercise, stating that they “failed to scale the party’s screening exercise conducted in line with established procedures and guidelines.” However, he declined to provide details on the reasons behind the disqualifications, further fueling suspicions among party members.

In several states, political tensions escalated after serving lawmakers openly accused governors and party leaders of orchestrating their removal to pave the way for loyalists and allies. In Lagos and Kwara, multiple aspirants reportedly protested the outcome of the primaries, alleging intimidation and manipulation by entrenched political interests. Similar complaints emerged from Rivers and Imo, where party factions accused each other of hijacking the process.

Observers say the scale of discontent within the APC could pose a significant challenge to the party’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections. Political analysts warned that unresolved grievances may lead to defections, anti-party activities, and prolonged court battles capable of weakening the ruling party in key battleground states.

The crisis has also revived concerns over the credibility of internal party democracy in Nigeria, particularly within dominant political parties where governors and influential stakeholders often determine candidacies. Critics argued that the APC risks alienating experienced lawmakers and weakening legislative representation by prioritising loyalty over competence and electoral viability.

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Despite mounting criticisms, party leaders have maintained that the primaries were conducted according to established rules and internal procedures. However, with lawsuits already being prepared and tensions continuing to rise across several states, the aftermath of the primaries is expected to remain a major political flashpoint within the APC in the months ahead.