APC’s screening exercise for the 2027 elections has triggered a wave of protests, petitions and defections, exposing deepening cracks within the ruling party over alleged candidate imposition and disqualification of aspirants.
Fresh cracks have emerged within the ruling All Progressives Congress as petitions, protests, legal threats and allegations of candidate imposition continue to trail the party’s screening of aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections, raising concerns over possible defections and worsening internal divisions across several states.
Investigations revealed that aggrieved aspirants and stakeholders in states including Taraba State, Kano State, Jigawa State, Anambra State, Benue State, Kogi State, Kaduna State, Ebonyi State, Rivers State and Plateau State are mobilising petitions and considering legal action over the outcome of the exercise, which is intended to streamline the number of contestants before the party primaries.
The growing discontent has exposed tensions over the adoption of consensus arrangements and the disqualification of several aspirants, with critics accusing influential party figures of manipulating the process to favour preferred candidates.
In some states, protests have already broken out, while party loyalists warned that attempts to impose candidates without broad consultation could trigger anti-party activities and weaken the APC’s chances ahead of the polls.
The controversy appeared most intense in Taraba State, where the endorsement of incumbent lawmakers after the screening exercise sparked outrage, especially in Taraba North Senatorial District.
Youth groups and stakeholders openly rejected the endorsement of Senator Shuaibu Isa Lau, accusing him of poor representation and lack of developmental impact in the district.
A stakeholder from Karim Lamido Local Government Area, Paul Penuel, described the senator’s tenure as “a complete failure,” insisting there was no visible record of impactful projects or policies to justify another term.
Another constituent, Dickson Kwinde, warned that retaining the senator could alienate voters and damage the party’s fortunes in the district.
The Coalition of Concerned Youths and Voice of the Proletariat in Karim Lamido also rejected the endorsement, declaring that the senator did not deserve another mandate.
Party insiders disclosed that some aspirants in the state had begun preparing formal petitions against the screening outcome, alleging procedural irregularities, manipulation by political godfathers and attempts to impose consensus candidates without adequate consultation.
Some of the aggrieved aspirants were also said to be weighing legal action should the party’s appeal committees fail to reverse the decisions.
In Kano State, tensions escalated after more than 20 aspirants contesting for Senate, House of Representatives and State Assembly tickets were reportedly screened out despite earlier consensus arrangements.
Those affected included former Head of Service Usman Bala, former lawmaker Sha’aban Sharada, Muhammad Zango, Danyaro Yakasai, Abbas Abbas, Shehu Driver and A.A. Zaura in the Kano Central Senatorial contest.
The APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Auwal Soja, confirmed that six aspirants eventually stepped down for former governor Ibrahim Shekarau following a reconciliation meeting aimed at preserving party unity.
Despite the agreement, protests continued as some groups faulted the endorsement of Shekarau, arguing that long-standing party loyalists were being sidelined for political convenience.
A pressure group, Coalition for Better Kano, insisted that party loyalty and consistency should not be sacrificed for expediency, warning that such decisions could discourage committed members.
Efforts by Governor Abba Yusuf to calm tensions reportedly suffered setbacks after some stakeholders boycotted a reconciliation meeting convened to resolve the crisis.
Observers also expressed concern over the absence of key party figures, including ALGON chairperson Hajiya Sa’adatu Soja and aggrieved aspirant Salisu Yusha’u, warning that the development could undermine ongoing peace efforts.
In Jigawa State, the fallout from the screening exercise has already resulted in resignation and defection.
Former Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, Isah Idris, resigned from the APC after he was disqualified and replaced by another aspirant.
In his resignation letter, Idris lamented what he described as the party’s abandonment of its founding principles and subsequently defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.
Another former speaker, Idris Garba, and serving lawmaker Abubakar Sadiq were also reportedly edged out during the exercise, further heightening fears of deepening divisions within the party.
Political observers and party insiders warned that unless urgent reconciliation efforts are intensified, the growing discontent across state chapters could weaken the APC’s internal cohesion and threaten its electoral strength ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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