With only four days left before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) opens its portal for political parties to upload candidates for the 2027 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is battling a wave of petitions and internal disputes arising from its recently concluded primaries.
Although the ruling party wrapped up its primary elections on May 30, many winners are yet to receive Certificates of Return, while the final list of candidates has not been officially released. Apart from the presidential candidate, several aspirants for governorship, National Assembly and state assembly seats remain uncertain about their status, fueling anxiety across the party.
INEC is scheduled to begin accepting names of candidates from June 26, placing pressure on the APC leadership to resolve lingering controversies before the submission window opens.
Sources within the APC national secretariat disclosed that petitions from nearly every state where primaries were conducted have slowed the process. According to party insiders, while many complaints have already been addressed by appeal committees, some contentious cases from states such as Lagos, Kwara and Kogi are still under review.
Party officials, however, insist that there is no requirement compelling the APC to publish its final list before forwarding names to INEC. They maintained that aspirants would know their fate once the names are uploaded on the electoral body’s portal.
Across the country, aggrieved aspirants have continued to challenge the conduct and outcomes of the primaries. In Zamfara State, no fewer than seven cases are before the courts, including suits contesting the emergence of Governor Dauda Lawal, Senator Ikira Aliyu Bilbis and Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura Namoda as candidates. Four additional cases involve House of Representatives seats.
In Kogi State, Chief Momoh Yusuf Obaro petitioned the National Working Committee, seeking the cancellation of the Kogi Central senatorial primary over alleged irregularities. Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho of Kogi East also challenged the exercise, claiming it violated party rules and electoral laws. Senator Sunday Karimi of Kogi West alleged that despite being declared winner by the returning officer, his name was later substituted at the party secretariat.
Gombe State has also witnessed post-primary tensions. Former governor Senator Danjuma Goje has lodged a petition challenging the outcome of the senatorial contest, while two House of Representatives aspirants accused party officials of irregularities. The governorship primary generated further controversy after former Minister of Transport, Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali, boycotted the exercise and former Communications Minister, Professor Isa Ali Pantami, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In Ekiti State, petitions have been filed against the emergence of Senator Ayo Arise and Kolawole Davidson Akinlayo as APC candidates, while in Edo State, former governorship candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu is contesting the Edo South senatorial ticket, insisting he won the primary election.
The most heated disputes are centred around governorship tickets in states including Nasarawa, Kwara, Oyo and Bauchi. In Nasarawa, former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu has challenged the victory of Senator Aliyu Wadada, alleging manipulation of results and warning that he could consider leaving the party if justice is not served. Another controversy surrounds the Nasarawa South senatorial ticket, with rival camps supporting Abubakar Hassan Nalaraba and Deputy Governor Emmanuel Akabe.
In Kwara State, divisions within the APC have deepened over the emergence of Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu as governorship candidate. At least ten aspirants rejected the process that produced him, claiming the exercise lacked transparency. Party elders and former office holders have openly questioned the conduct of the primary, alleging that results were announced before voting was completed in some areas.
Despite the criticism, supporters of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the Speaker insist that the exercise followed APC guidelines and was monitored by officials from the national headquarters. State APC Chairman Prince Sunday Fagbemi dismissed allegations of wrongdoing and advised aggrieved members to pursue internal mechanisms for redress.
Political analysts have warned that the unresolved disputes could weaken the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections. President of the Nigerian Political Science Association, Professor Hassan Saliu, cautioned that failure to reconcile aggrieved aspirants could encourage anti-party activities and strengthen opposition parties in several states.
He stressed that no political group can succeed without unity, noting that growing divisions within the party, especially in Kwara State, could pose serious electoral challenges if left unresolved.
As the June 26 deadline approaches, pressure is mounting on the APC leadership to settle outstanding grievances and present a united front before INEC begins receiving candidates for the crucial 2027 elections.
