APC boils as internal rebellion trails screening results ahead of primaries

…Hundreds of aspirants disqualified; 30 petitions received in Benue, 19 in Rivers

….Defections, protests rock Katsina, Jigawa, Gombe, others

…Shettima’s consensus push fails in Yobe; actors scheming in Kwara, Bauchi

…Governorship aspirants revolt in Oyo

…Ruling party risks implosion – Analyst

Fresh cracks have emerged within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) across several states following the conclusion of the screening of aspirants for the party’s primaries ahead of the 2027 polls with disqualifications, protests, defections and threats of litigations threatening the party.

The growing discontent has heightened fears of internal rebellion as many aspirants and their supporters accused party leaders of manipulating consensus arrangements and screening outcomes to favour preferred aspirants.

Prominent politicians were edged out during the screening exercise, worsening tensions in several states where party loyalists have openly rejected the outcomes of the process.

The controversies have already triggered protests and defections in some states, while aggrieved aspirants in others are reportedly considering legal action.

Some of the aspirants said their decision to defect was aimed at meeting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for the conduct of party primaries. Recall that INEC had directed all political parties to conduct their primaries between April 23 and May 30, 2026.

The commission also scheduled the commencement of campaigns for presidential and National Assembly elections for August 19, 2026, while campaigns for governorship and state assembly elections are to begin on September 9, 2026.

Presidential and National Assembly elections have been fixed for January 16, 2027, while governorship and state assembly elections will hold on February 6, 2027.

According to the APC’s 2027 election timetable, the House of Representatives primaries will kick off on Friday, with only cleared aspirants eligible to participate. The party also scheduled governorship primaries for May 21, senatorial and state assembly primaries for May 18 and 20, while the presidential primary is slated for May 23, 2026.

Political analysts have warned that unless the APC leadership urgently reconciles dissatisfied members, the crisis could weaken grassroots mobilisation, encourage anti-party activities and create opportunities for opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Defections in Katsina, Jigawa

Cracks within the APC in Katsina State appear to be widening as complaints over alleged imposition, consensus arrangements and defections continue to unsettle party loyalists.

What initially started as quiet grievances among aggrieved aspirants has now snowballed into open expressions of dissatisfaction by some influential party figures, raising fears that the internal disagreements could weaken the party’s dominance in the state.

Abubakar Yahaya Kusada, member representing Kankia/Kusada/Ingawa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, openly lamented the growing wave of defections and warned that the APC risks losing political grounds if urgent reconciliation efforts are not initiated.

Kusada’s reaction followed reports that Sani Lawal, member representing Zango/Baure Federal Constituency, had dumped the APC.

Read also: APC screening sparks protests, petitions ahead of 2027 polls

In a message obtained by BusinessDay, Kusada said, “Hon. Sani Lawal, member representing Zango/Baure Federal Constituency, has woken me from my sleep with the news of his decamping from our great party, the APC, to a yet-to-be-disclosed political party.”

Kusada is also believed to be among those affected by recent political calculations within the APC after he was reportedly replaced in a consensus arrangement that produced Mustapha Kanti Bello as the preferred candidate for the constituency.

In neighbouring Jigawa State, Isah Idris, former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, resigned from the APC and defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after reportedly being disqualified from the contest.

Shettima’s consensus push fails in Yobe

Fresh tension is brewing in the Yobe State chapter of the APC after the G-6 governorship aspirants met with Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the May 21, 2026 governorship primary.

The meeting was aimed at resolving disagreements between the aspirants and the party’s preferred candidate, Baba Mallam Wali. However, in a statement issued after the meeting, the group insisted on participating in the primary election and demanded a free, fair and credible process.

One of the members, Lawan Kolo Geidam, has, however, withdrawn from the race but declined to endorse Baba Wali, pledging instead to support whoever emerges as the APC candidate.

The development has reduced the group to G-5, amid growing anxiety among party members over the lingering political impasse despite Governor Mai Mala Buni’s appeal for calm.

Fresh defections in Gombe

The APC has suffered fresh setbacks following the defection of former National Youth Leader, Sadiq Abubakar, and House of Representatives member, Abdullahi El-Rasheed, over alleged injustice in the party’s consensus arrangements ahead of the 2027 primaries.

Abubakar accused the APC leadership of promoting unfair internal processes and using incumbency power to impose candidates, saying the party had abandoned fairness and the welfare of ordinary Nigerians. He said he would soon unveil his new political platform.

Similarly, El-Rasheed, popularly known as Bala Kelly, dumped the APC after losing the consensus ticket for the Dukku/Nafada Federal Constituency in Gombe State. In his resignation, the lawmaker cited lack of justice and fair play, while urging supporters to remain calm ahead of his next political move.

30 petitions in Benue

In Benue State, the APC has received about 30 petitions from aggrieved aspirants challenging the outcome of the screening exercise.
More than 59 aspirants were disqualified from participating in the party’s primaries for the 2027 Benue State House of Assembly elections.

BusinessDay gathered that 146 aspirants were screened by the party’s House of Assembly Screening Committee, while only 86 were cleared to participate in the primaries or emerge through consensus arrangements.

Auwalu Ishiye, chairman of the screening committee, and Tijani Abdullahi, secretary of the committee, said the affected aspirants failed to comply with provisions of the party’s guidelines and constitution.

James Ornguga, Benue APC Organising Secretary, disclosed that an appeal committee had already commenced sitting on petitions submitted by dissatisfied aspirants.

The development has generated anxiety among party members, with fears that unresolved disputes may affect the APC’s chances in parts of the state during the elections.

19 petitions in Rivers; disagreements in Kaduna

Fresh controversies have erupted within the APC in Rivers and Kaduna states following the screening of aspirants ahead of the party’s 2027 primaries, with protests, petitions and accusations of candidate imposition threatening party unity.

In Rivers State, no fewer than 65 aspirants were disqualified by the APC House of Assembly Screening Appeal Committee, while only 33 aspirants were cleared to participate in the primaries.

Abdul Mahmud, chairman of the appeal panel and human rights lawyer, disclosed this during a briefing at the APC secretariat in Port Harcourt. Mahmud said the panel had already received 19 petitions from aggrieved aspirants challenging their disqualification and alleging lack of proper communication from the party.

Read also: 2027: APC to release cleared aspirants’ list before Friday 

There are claims that those edged out are loyalists of the state governor, Sim Fubara, while those cleared for the primaries are loyalists of Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister.

Meanwhile, tensions are also mounting in Kaduna State over moves to adopt consensus candidates for National Assembly positions. The crisis is most intense in Kaduna Central Senatorial District, where Shehu Sani, former federal lawmaker and activist, is reportedly being favoured as consensus candidate.

The arrangement has, however, been rejected by Yusuf Zailani, former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, and activist Yarima Shettima, who accused party leaders of attempting to impose candidates.

Musa Aliyu Khalid, campaign director to Zailani, also warned against imposing candidates on party members, insisting that political offices should be determined through transparent democratic processes.

Intrigues, protests in Kwara, Bauchi

Political intrigues have continued to shape the APC governorship race in Kwara State ahead of the primaries, amid indications that the party may adopt direct primaries for the contest.

BusinessDay reports that out of the 16 governorship aspirants, only Lola Ashiru, senator representing Kwara South, and Sulaiman Umar Sadiq, senator representing Kwara North, stepped down to pursue senatorial re-election bids.

Sulaiman Abubakar, Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), expressed concern over uncertainty surrounding the consensus arrangement process in the state.

Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is yet to publicly endorse any governorship aspirant. Instead, he was screened for the Kwara Central Senatorial seat and is reportedly running unopposed after emerging as the sole aspirant to purchase nomination forms for the position.

Salihu Mustapha, senator representing Kwara Central and one of the leading governorship aspirants, is believed not to enjoy the backing of the outgoing governor.

Meanwhile, tensions are rising in Kwara North where the Patigi Emirate Development Union opposed Umar Sadiq’s re-election bid, insisting that the senatorial seat should rotate to Patigi Local Government Area in line with the district’s zoning arrangement. The group warned that any attempt to ignore the arrangement could trigger political discontent across the district.

Also, stakeholders within the APC in Bauchi State are reportedly pushing a consensus arrangement backing former Governor Mohammad Abdullahi Abubakar. However, several other governorship aspirants have rejected the plan, insisting on a democratic primary.

Yusuf Tuggar, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, said he would respect the party’s final decision on either consensus or primary. Ali Pate, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, has, however, withdrawn from the race but is reportedly backing a contender.

Read also: 2027: Seven APC aspirants step down for Shekarau in Kano Central race

Discontent in Kano, Taraba, Plateau

Kano State also witnessed similar turmoil after more than 20 aspirants contesting Senate, House of Representatives and state assembly tickets were screened out despite earlier reconciliation efforts by party leaders.

The endorsement of Ibrahim Shekarau, former governor of Kano State, reportedly sparked protests among party loyalists who accused the leadership of sacrificing loyalty for political convenience.

Some aggrieved members warned that the continued imposition of candidates could destabilise the party ahead of the primaries.

In Taraba State, tensions escalated after stakeholders reportedly endorsed Shuaibu Isa Lau, senator representing Taraba North, for another term.

Youth groups and community leaders rejected the move, describing the lawmaker’s performance as disappointing and warning that another endorsement could alienate voters.

In Plateau State, Sunday Biggs, former APC governorship aspirant in the 2023 election, resigned his membership of the party weeks before the screening exercise.

In his resignation letter dated April 21, 2026 and addressed to the APC Chairman of Mangu Ward II in Mangu Local Government Area, Biggs said his decision followed “deep personal reflection” and ongoing political realignments.

Reacting to the development, Wumana Bako, APC Publicity Secretary in Plateau State, told BusinessDay that the party had not officially received the resignation letter at the time but described the development as unfortunate.

He, however, insisted that the screening exercise in Plateau was peaceful and hitch-free.

Aspirants revolt in Oyo

In Oyo, governorship aspirants of the APC have vowed to resist any attempt to impose candidates ahead of the 2027 governorship primary, insisting that internal democracy and transparency must guide the party’s selection process.

The aspirants made their position known in a communiqué issued after a high-level meeting in Ibadan, stressing that while they are open to consensus arrangements, such must emerge through a fair, inclusive and credible process acceptable to all stakeholders.

They reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC and President Bola Tinubu, pledging continued support for the party, but warned that imposition of candidates would undermine unity and repeat past electoral failures in the state.

According to them, the party’s credibility depends on fairness, adding that only a transparent process can guarantee post-primary cohesion and victory in 2027.

Analyst warns of implosion

Ibrahim Attahiru, political analyst, has warned that the growing discontent within the APC reflects deeper frustrations over the party’s consensus arrangements and internal selection process.

He noted that unresolved grievances could weaken voter mobilisation, encourage anti-party activities and embolden opposition parties seeking to challenge the APC’s dominance in several states ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said the party risks implosion if it doesn’t address the current wave of discontent in its fold.