APC’s reconciliation move shaky as fresh cracks, defections surge

Fresh cracks have emerged within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as aggrieved aspirants and party stakeholders across several states dismiss ongoing reconciliation efforts as ineffective, raising concerns over a possible wave of defections ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The crisis follows the conclusion of the APC’s governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, state assembly and presidential primaries, many of which were marred by allegations of imposition, exclusion and manipulation.

Although Nentawe Yilwatda, the APC National Chairman, had assured members that the party had activated internal mechanisms to address grievances arising from the primaries, several aggrieved aspirants described the reconciliation process as cosmetic and lacking sincerity.

Some of the dissatisfied party members, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that no genuine consultations or peace meetings had taken place since the primaries were concluded.

In Benue State, several aspirants told BusinessDay that tensions remained high within the party, insisting they had neither received invitations for reconciliation meetings nor been contacted by party leaders for dialogue.

A similar situation is unfolding in Nasarawa State, where internal divisions appear to be deepening as some aggrieved aspirants have begun defecting to rival political parties.

One of the most prominent exits came from former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who resigned from the APC after losing the governorship ticket to Governor Abdullahi Sule’s preferred candidate, Senator Ahmed Wadada.

Adamu submitted his resignation letter on Monday to APC executives in Makama Ward, Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

“Today I address my letter to you, especially the ward chairman, to formally notify you of my decision to resign my membership of the All Progressives Congress with immediate effect,” he wrote.

Across the country, the aftermath of the APC primaries has triggered a mix of celebration, bitterness, protests and intense political calculations, exposing widening internal divisions within the ruling party despite public claims of unity.

In Ogun State, the political feud between Governor Dapo Abiodun and former governor Gbenga Daniel has worsened following dispute over the Ogun East Senatorial ticket.

Governor Abiodun was said to have openly criticised Daniel over the contest, while loyalists of the former governor viewed the outcome of the senatorial primary as a major political setback.

In Rivers State, the crisis within the APC has also remained unresolved following the controversial exclusion of Governor Siminalayi Fubara from the governorship primaries.

Rather than reconciliation, the political battle between former governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and Fubara has intensified, with both camps still locked in a prolonged struggle over political control, resources and governance in the state.

BusinessDay gathered that loyalists of Wike and supporters of Fubara remain sharply divided, with no meaningful peace initiative achieved ahead of the 2027 elections.

In Jigawa State, the reconciliation effort has equally suffered setbacks following the resignation of prominent party figures.

Isah Idris, former Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly and serving lawmaker representing Gwaram Constituency, announced his resignation from the APC over grievances linked to the conduct of the primaries.

“I wish to formally inform you of my decision to resign my membership of the APC,” he stated in a letter addressed to the chairman of Gwaram Ward.

In Kebbi State, internal wrangling over pre-primary and post-primary disputes has continued to unsettle the party, culminating in the exit of Senator Garba Maidoki.

The lawmaker attributed his resignation to the lingering internal crisis within the APC, which he said had negatively affected his political aspirations.

With defections mounting and grievances unresolved across several states, concerns are growing within political circles that the APC may face deeper internal fragmentation despite ongoing efforts by the party’s leadership to project stability and unity ahead of the 2027 polls.