2027: Crisis looms in APC over President Tinubu’s directive on party primaries in states

…As APC governors split over N701b campaign funds

An intense financial and political scandal surrounding an alleged N701 billion campaign fund probe has triggered quiet but deep structural tensions among All Progressives Congress (APC) governors as they position themselves for the 2027 general election.

The controversy, which combines state power, astronomical sums of money, and election manoeuvring, represents a major crack in the ruling party’s elite stability.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who serves as the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), is at the centre of the storm over his management of the pooled resource.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) escalated the situation by arresting the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, over money laundering linked directly to these progressive governors forum PGF, connected funds.

Investigation claims that the N701billion was accumulated via systematically diverted monthly deductions from Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations belonging to various APC-led states.

The monies were allegedly funneled into private bank accounts controlled under political mobilization platforms named “Renewed Hope Ambassadors” and “Renewed Hope Network”, explicitly meant to promote President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 reelection agenda.

How the Tension sparked among governors

According to BusinessDay investigation, the multi-billion naira pool created a sharp, distrustful split within the PGF.

A faction of APC governors aggressively demanded full audits after receiving unsatisfactory explanations regarding how the billions were being disbursed or invested.

“Rebel” governors openly accused Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma of “misapplying” enormous fund, fearing that the money had vanished into unintended pockets rather than serving its collective political purpose.

Read also: APC postpones N/Assembly primaries in Zamfara 

Conversely, a bloc of about 18 loyalist governors quickly rallied behind Uzodinma, passing an internal vote of confidence to protect the PGF structure from fracturing right before the 2027 primaries.

Seeking to douse the political flames, PGF Vice Chairman and Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, publicly dismissed the crisis as a mere “slight misunderstanding” rather than a full-scale war.

The N701billion friction is deeply tied to broader anxieties surrounding political survival and dominance ahead of the next election cycle.

Presidential intervention

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had reportedly been forced to step in to mediate the crisis, as party stakeholders warn that dismantling the PGF leadership right now could sabotage the APC’s unified apparatus for 2027.

The internal war coincides with immense grassroots friction regarding the upcoming 2027 APC party primaries, where governors and regional aspirants are already actively clashing over the imposition of consensus candidates across several states.

Clashes over ticket imposition

President Tinubu’s directive on party primaries in states to grant state governors firm control over election processes in their domains has sparked significant internal rebellion.

While governors broadly support the consensus arrangement for Tinubu’s presidential ticket, they are facing fierce pushback from grassroots aspirants and National Assembly lawmakers who accuse them of imposing candidates.

Deep ideological and supremacy battles are dividing party leaders in various states. For example, a severe rift between Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, over local party structure continues to threaten party unity.

These internal implosions are raising concerns about party cohesion as the APC navigates primary elections and prepares its nationwide strategy for 2027.

As 2027 approaches, many incumbent governors are seeking to position themselves or their loyalists for higher offices such as the Senate, while also handpicking their gubernatorial successors.

This has sparked quiet resistance from local political godfathers and sitting senators who are pushing back against the sweeping powers the governors are trying to exert over local party structures.