APC Primaries: Consensus Deals Trigger Tensions as Governorship Aspirants Resist Pressure to Step Down in 10 States

Ahead of the All Progressives Congress governorship primaries scheduled for Thursday, fresh cracks have emerged within the ruling party as resistance to consensus arrangements intensifies across several states.

Despite efforts by governors, party leaders and influential stakeholders to impose unity candidates and avoid divisive contests, many governorship aspirants have rejected pressure to withdraw from the race, insisting that the party ticket must be decided through open and transparent primaries.

The growing tension is unfolding in strategic states such as Kwara, Lagos, Gombe, Adamawa, Plateau, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Rivers, Oyo and Yobe, where fierce succession battles and internal political calculations have complicated the APC leadership’s push for consensus candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party had fixed the price of the governorship expression of interest form at N10 million, while the nomination form cost N40 million. Findings showed that the APC generated approximately N5.05 billion from the sale of forms to 101 governorship aspirants nationwide, highlighting the intense political interest surrounding the upcoming elections.

The APC is expected to conduct governorship primaries in 28 states on Thursday, May 21. Party officials disclosed that direct primaries would be adopted in states where consensus negotiations fail, while appeals arising from the exercise are scheduled for May 24.

Consensus Strategy Gains Momentum in Several States

Although resistance is mounting in some chapters, the APC leadership has successfully secured consensus backing for several incumbent governors seeking second terms.

Governors who have already emerged as consensus candidates include Sheriff Oborevwori, Abba Yusuf, Peter Mbah, Umar Namadi, Dikko Radda, Nasir Idris, Ahmed Aliyu, Dauda Lawal, Mohammed Umar Bago, Umo Eno and Ogbonna Nwifuru.

Party stakeholders in those states described the consensus arrangements as deliberate moves aimed at preserving unity, avoiding costly internal disputes and preventing post-primary litigations that could weaken the party before the general elections.

In Sokoto State, party leaders declared that there was no opposition to Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s second-term ambition, insisting that the primaries would merely serve as a formal ratification process.

A similar situation played out in Kebbi State, where APC stakeholders unanimously backed Governor Nasir Idris for another term, while Jigawa APC leaders also confirmed that Governor Umar Namadi remained the party’s sole governorship aspirant.

According to party officials in Jigawa, adopting consensus was necessary to prevent unnecessary political tension and maintain cohesion within the state chapter of the APC.

Kwara Emerges Major Battleground

While consensus arrangements succeeded in several states, Kwara State has become one of the biggest flashpoints ahead of the primaries.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq openly endorsed businessman and political mobiliser Yahaya Seriki as his preferred successor after what he described as extensive consultations with party leaders and stakeholders.

In a statement released on his official Facebook page, AbdulRazaq described Seriki as “young, pro-people, astute and broad-minded,” adding that he possessed the political capacity and grassroots reach needed to sustain the achievements of the current administration.

The governor appealed to party members and stakeholders to rally behind Seriki in the interest of unity and continuity.

Following the endorsement, several APC power blocs, local government chairmen, sociocultural groups and political stakeholders quickly declared support for Seriki.

Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Salihu Yakubu-Danladi, formally withdrew from the race and pledged loyalty to Seriki’s ambition.

Similarly, the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Abubakar Suleiman, also stepped down shortly after the governor’s announcement.

The Kwara State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria equally endorsed Seriki, with its chairman, Abdullahi Danladi, declaring that all local government chairmen in the state supported the governor’s decision.

Supporters of Seriki also staged a massive reception for him at the Tunde Idiagbon International Stadium in Ilorin shortly after the endorsement was announced.

However, despite the growing endorsements, several governorship aspirants have refused to step down.

Party insiders revealed that many contenders believe the ticket should be determined through democratic competition rather than political imposition.

One senior party official disclosed that some aspirants felt they had invested too heavily — financially and politically — to surrender their ambitions without a contest.

Kwara currently has one of the largest numbers of APC governorship aspirants in the country, with prominent contenders including former Senate Leader Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Muhammed Belgore, Salihu Mustapha, Olufemi Sanni, Mohammed Bio, Dr. Alabi Tajudeen, Tajudeen Abdulkadir, Azeez Muideen, Bashir Bolanrinwa, Ahmad Mahmoud, Yetunde Bello, Mahalia Pategi and Prof. Olawale Sulaiman.

Oyo, Adamawa, Bauchi Witness Fierce Competition

Oyo State also recorded intense political activity, with no fewer than 11 aspirants jostling for the APC governorship ticket.

Notable aspirants in the state include former Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Akeem Agbaje and Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin.

In Adamawa State, 10 aspirants entered the race, making it another major battleground ahead of the primaries.

Top contenders include Abdulrazak Namdas, Mustapha Salihu, Senator Aminu Abbas, Abdurahaman Haske, Felix Tangwami and Joel Madaki.

Bauchi State recorded eight governorship aspirants, including immediate past Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Tuggar.