Cracks widen in APC, NWC moves to submit candidates’ list amid protests

Fresh cracks have emerged within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the party moves to submit its list of candidates for the 2027 general elections, ignoring widespread calls for a review of its controversial primary elections.

The APC conducted its presidential, governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly primaries on different dates in May to select its candidates for the 2027 general elections.

However, the exercises were dogged by allegations of widespread irregularities, including vote manipulation, the imposition of preferred candidates, the inducement of delegates, arbitrary disqualification of aspirants, and other practices.

Despite protests, petitions and allegations of manipulation from aggrieved aspirants in several states, the APC leadership has resolved to stand by the outcomes of the primaries, signalling a hardline stance that could deepen internal divisions ahead of the polls.

Top party sources disclosed to our correspondent on Sunday that the National Working Committee (NWC) has concluded deliberations on the outcome of the primaries concluded in May and is preparing to forward the names of successful candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the deadline.

INEC had fixed June 26 for the release of access codes to its nomination portal and July 11 as the deadline for the submission of candidates’ particulars for the 2027 general elections.

The APC’s decision came amid growing discontent among party members, particularly in Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Plateau, Zamfara, Benue, Kogi, Osun and other states, where aspirants have challenged the conduct and outcomes of the primaries.

BusinessDay reports that several prominent politicians and serving lawmakers were casualties of the exercise, with more than 60 federal legislators reportedly failing to secure tickets for another term.

The outcome has triggered intense lobbying, protests and threats of defections and legal action by those who believe they were unfairly edged out.

Aspirants such as former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, current senator representing Kebbi South, Garba Maidoki and many others have already dumped the APC following the party’s handling of the primaries.

Several aggrieved aspirants from Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and other states who spoke to our correspondent in confidence warned that the APC could pay a heavy political price at the polls if the concerns raised over the primaries remain unresolved.

One of the aggrieved aspirants dismissed the party’s position, describing it as premature and potentially damaging to the APC’s electoral prospects.

“This is absolute nonsense. The party still has until July 11 to submit the names of successful candidates to INEC. Why the rush when there are still weeks left to address genuine grievances?” he queried.

He warned that proceeding with the current list could trigger a fresh wave of protests, defections and legal battles within the party.

“This is an invitation to chaos. It will only lead to more protests, more defections and more litigation. Some of us spent N20 million and N50 million just to purchase nomination forms and participate in the process. You cannot simply ignore legitimate complaints and expect everyone to move on,” he stated.

The aspirant further cautioned that the APC could ultimately pay a political price for its handling of the primary elections amid complaints of bad governance.

“All actions have consequences. Nigerians are already expressing dissatisfaction with the performance of the party in government. If the leadership continues to alienate loyal members, it could come back to haunt the party at the polls,” he added.

In Delta State, Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) is contesting the victory of former governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, while in Rivers State, Governor Sim Fubara, who was disqualified from contesting the primaries, and many others are still aggrieved.

But a senior party official, who spoke to BusinessDay on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly on the matter, dismissed the aggrieved aspirants’ complaints, insisting that the overwhelming majority of petitions lacked merit.

“The vast majority of the petitions were weak, frivolous and incapable of altering the outcome of the primaries. Many raised issues fell completely outside the scope of the election process, while others lacked credible evidence. There was simply no basis for a wholesale review of the results,” the official told BusinessDay.

With the party’s leadership drawing a firm line, attention is now shifting to whether disgruntled members will accept defeat or carry their grievances into the courts, and potentially into the 2027 campaign season.