Amid mounting intrigues surrounding the mode of primaries and allegations of political interference by governors and other leaders of the party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to commence its National Assembly primary elections today across the country, beginning with the House of Representatives contests.
However, the exercise is already being overshadowed by confusion and uncertainty following the late release of the list of members of the National Assembly Primary Election and Appeals Committees.
The party, late Friday evening, finally released the authorised list of committee members saddled with the responsibility of conducting the primaries for aspirants seeking to fly the APC flag in the 2027 general elections.
The list, signed by the National Organising Secretary of the party, Suleiman Argungu, directed all appointees to arrive in their designated states ahead of the exercise scheduled for Saturday, May 16. But the unusual delay in releasing the lists, which surfaced around 4:30pm on Friday, immediately triggered fears that the exercise could suffer another postponement or be marred by logistical challenges.
Difficulties arriving duty post
One of the committee members posted to a particular state told Saturday Telegraph that it would be practically impossible for him to arrive at his duty post before the commencement of the exercise.
“You see why many people say the party is confused. The primary election is supposed to hold on Saturday and by 4:30pm on Friday; you are just releasing the names of committee members. How do they expect us to make it?” he queried.
“I am supposed to be in my designated state but you and I know there is no way I can begin to travel to that state that is about 9 hours from Abuja around 5pm. The earliest I can move is tomorrow morning and if I meet them there, good and fine,” he added.
Meanwhile, ahead of the primaries, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had cautioned APC members against engaging in infighting and “do-or-die” politics.
In a statement personally signed by him on Thursday on the commencement of the APC primaries nationwide, Tinubu urged aspirants, party leaders and delegates to conduct themselves peacefully while upholding the principles of internal democracy, fairness and sportsmanship.
Internal rancour
The APC had originally scheduled the commencement of its primaries for Friday with the House of Representatives elections, however, barely hours to the exercise, the party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Barr. Felix Morka, announced a slight postponement to Saturday.
Morka, however, stated that the previously announced dates for the Senate, State Houses of Assembly, governorship and presidential primaries remain unchanged. Curiously, the postponement came barely 24 hours after the party had dismissed speculations that the primaries would not commence as earlier scheduled.
Party sources attributed the delay to internal disagreements over the composition of the primary election committees and the increasing pressure from governors and influential stakeholders seeking to control the process.
According to findings, the battle over committee membership was linked to the larger struggle between advocates of consensus arrangements and those insisting on direct primaries in some states.
Sources at the APC National Secretariat disclosed that several governors allegedly pushed to nominate almost all the members of the committees in their respective states, a move said to have created tension within the National Working Committee (NWC).
It was gathered that some members of the NWC resisted the alleged attempt by governors to completely dominate the process and insisted on accommodating their own loyalists in the committees. A source familiar with the development said the disagreements delayed the release of the final list.
“There has been serious horse-trading over these committees’ lists because whoever controls the committee controls the process. Governors wanted near total control, while the NWC also wanted its own people included,” the source said.
Another source at the party secretariat, who pleaded anonymity, claimed that some committee members may have already been contacted privately before the official release of the list. “I want to tell you that even those of us at the secretariat are confused.
As of Friday afternoon, we still did not know what was happening. We were waiting for directives,” the source stated. The source further hinted that the late release of the committee list may have been part of last-minute efforts to resolve disagreements over whether some states would adopt consensus arrangements or direct primaries.
Arm-twisting the party
There are also indications that while the APC leadership publicly projected consensus in some states, resistance from aggrieved aspirants forced the party to retain direct primaries in several constituencies.
Some aspirants, especially in states where governors were believed to be backing preferred candidates, had reportedly opposed alleged plans to impose consensus candidates without broad consultations. The development has heightened anxiety among aspirants and party faithful ahead of the commencement of the exercise.
Zulum wants consensus
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has urged aspirants, delegates and critical stakeholders to adopt consensus primary for the unity and cohesion of the party. Zulum said that the consensus mode of primary will promote understanding and unity among the party members in the state.
The Governor, who made the call at the APC stakeholders meeting held at the Government House, Maiduguri yesterday, said that consensus remains the most viable option for strengthening party unity. “Let me start by appreciating all our stakeholders for the support and commitment to advancing the course of our great party, APC, and our administration.
“As we prepare for the party primaries, I want to remind all our aspirants into various elective positions that consensus is the best and most viable option for the party in our state. However, if we are unable to arrive at a consensus, we will go for direct primaries,” he said.
The governor, who further emphasized his commitment to democratic principles, assured stakeholders that no candidate would be imposed on any constituency. “As a democrat, I will not force any candidate on a particular constituency, but rather encourage us to continue consultations with stakeholders for consensus candidates to emerge,” Zulum stated.
Zulum also announced that aspirants who voluntarily withdraw from contests would be considered for appointments and other opportunities at both the federal and state levels.
Also speaking , the APC Deputy National Chairman, Hon Ali Dalori, and State Chairman of the Party, Hon. Bello Ayuba, spoke on the need for consensus as the means of primary election in the state. They emphasized that consensus will strengthen party cohesion and unity in the run-up to the 2027 general elections.
Sule sues for Peace
Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has called on aspirants, party officials, supporters, youth groups and community leaders to approach the forthcoming primary elections with restraint, civility, and shun violence during the party primaries.
He made the call on Friday, in a state-wide broadcast, acknowledging that consultations are ongoing, interests are being declared and opinions freely expressed by citizens and stakeholders from different political backgrounds.
Sule described the process as the beauty of democracy, stressing that every citizen has the right to participate and to support candidates of their choice within the bounds of law, civility and mutual respect.
He stated that he has exercised his constitutional and democratic right to endorse an aspirant he believes possesses the capacity, experience and vision to consolidate on the collective gains of his administration, as a leader of the All Progresive Congress.
The governor however, said that such endorsements are neither new to democratic politics nor intended to diminish the rights, aspirations or contributions of other aspirants and their supporters. saying his endorsement does not foreclose opportunities available through the direct primary process, which critical APC stakeholders have opted for.
“As Governor of Nasarawa State and leader of our great party in the State, I have exercised my constitutional and democratic right to support and endorse an aspirant whom I believe possesses the capacity, experience and vision to consolidate on the gains we have collectively made.
Such endorsements are neither new to democratic politics nor intended to diminish the rights, aspirations or contributions of other respected aspirants and their supporters. “Importantly, this does not foreclose the opportunities that exist in direct primary elections which our party critical stakeholders have opted for.
This is in line with democratic tenets and conform to the APC constitution. Let me once more restate for the record that as a leader of the state, I will ensure a credible contest.
“However, I wish to sincerely appeal to all members of our great party, the APC, as well as members of other political parties, to approach this period with restraint, understanding and a shared commitment to peace.
We must never allow political differences to divide our people or threaten the stability we have worked so hard to build over the years. “I therefore call on all aspirants, party officials, supporters, youth groups and community leaders to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly before, during and after the primaries. Let us reject inflammatory statements, political intimidation, misinformation and every act capable of overheating the polity.
Democracy flourishes best where tolerance, dialogue and respect for differing opinions exist. “At the end of the primaries and elections, we shall all remain a very big family bound by a common destiny and united by our love for Nasarawa State. No ambition is greater than the peace, unity and progress of our dear State,” the Governor said.
Sule urged youths not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of conflict or division, saying their energy and talents are required for the development and future prosperity of the state, not for violence or political confrontation.
Calling on security agencies to redouble their efforts in securing lives and property before, during and after the primaries, urging them to remain vigilant, professional and impartial in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities, the governor called on stakeholders to reject inflammatory statements, political intimidation and misinformation, but to peaceful in their conduct before, during and after the elections.
Members express concern
There had been mixed reactions among members and aspirants of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the House of Representatives primary.
The controversy centres on the mode of primary to be adopted in selecting candidates for the election of candidates for the forthcoming general elections, with stakeholders divided between direct primaries, and consensus arrangements as provided for in the Electoral Act 2026.
While some party members have expressed support for direct primaries, arguing that the method allows wider participation of party members and strengthens internal democracy, others believe indirect primaries remain easier to manage and less expensive, but this is not provided for under the Act.
Aspirants in favour of direct primaries argued that the process would reduce manipulation by powerful party leaders and allow ordinary members to decide who emerges as a candidate.
There are also concerns among some stakeholders over alleged attempts to impose candidates through consensus arrangements in certain constituencies. Critics of the consensus option warned that it could create disaffection among aspirants and trigger internal disputes within the party.
Leaders’ assurances
Despite the disagreements, the APC leadership has assured members that the primary election would be conducted in line with the party’s constitution and the provisions of the Electoral Act. Party officials also appealed to aspirants and their supporters to maintain peace before, during, and after the exercise, stressing the need for unity ahead of the general elections.
Security agencies are expected to monitor the exercise across various venues to prevent violence and ensure order during the primaries. In recent weeks, there have been a lot of campaigns and lobbying among members of the party as the aspirants are at a loss about the method that would be adopted in their constituencies.
The APC is notable as a party with internal arrangements that allow the leaders across boards to select or pick candidates for various offices regardless of what the law says to prevent chaos and issues that could affect the fortunes of the party at the polls.
Political observers believe the outcome of the House of Representatives primary could significantly influence the party’s strength in several constituencies, especially in areas where internal rivalries re- main intense.
