What was initially projected by the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress as a peaceful strategy to reduce internal conflict ahead of the 2027 general elections is rapidly turning into a nationwide political storm.
Across several states, governorship and legislative aspirants are openly resisting the party’s proposed consensus arrangements, insisting that only transparent and competitive primaries can guarantee justice, internal democracy, and compliance with the Electoral Act, 2026.
From Yobe to Benue, Nasarawa to Gombe, and from Kano to Oyo, the growing wave of opposition is exposing deep cracks within the APC, raising serious questions about the party’s ability to manage competing ambitions ahead of one of Nigeria’s most consequential electoral cycles.
What party leaders hoped would preserve unity is instead igniting rebellion.
Political observers now believe the APC may have little choice but to conduct direct primaries in many states where consensus arrangements are collapsing under the weight of resistance from influential aspirants and stakeholders.
Electoral Law Tightens the Space for Consensus
At the centre of the controversy lies the Electoral Act, 2026, which permits political parties to adopt either direct primaries or consensus arrangements.
However, the law imposes strict conditions on the consensus option.
Under Section 87 of the Act, every cleared aspirant must voluntarily withdraw from the race and provide written consent endorsing a single candidate. Without unanimous consent, parties are legally required to revert to direct primaries.
That legal provision has now become the rallying point for dissatisfied aspirants who argue that party leaders cannot simply “anoint” candidates behind closed doors while sidelining other contenders.
Many aspirants insist that consensus must emerge through broad consultation and voluntary agreement — not political imposition.
Yobe: Battle Lines Drawn Against Party Leaders
In Yobe State, the cracks became visible after influential APC stakeholders reportedly endorsed former Secretary to the State Government, Wali, as the party’s governorship candidate.
The meeting, reportedly attended by Governor Mai Mala Buni, the Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, and other party leaders, was expected to settle the race.
Instead, it triggered open rebellion.
Prominent aspirants including Kashim Musa Tumsah, former Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba, and Senator Ibrahim Bomai rejected the arrangement and insisted on contesting the ticket.
Tumsah argued that consensus must not become a tool for elite manipulation.
According to him, consensus does not mean “a few people sitting in a room to select whoever they want as the party’s candidate.”
Former IGP Usman Alkali Baba also distanced himself from any alleged agreement to step down, declaring publicly that he never attended any consensus meeting and had not endorsed anyone.
The development has effectively reopened the Yobe governorship contest and increased pressure on the APC leadership to conduct direct primaries.
Nasarawa: Aspirants Refuse to Step Aside.
A similar situation is unfolding in Nasarawa State, where Senator Aliyu Wadada is reportedly being positioned as the preferred candidate of Governor Abdullahi Sule.
But the arrangement has encountered fierce resistance from other aspirants, including former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu and Dr Fatima Abdullahi.
Adamu’s campaign organisation dismissed the consensus idea entirely, insisting that the governorship ticket must be decided through open competition.
Dr Fatima Abdullahi also maintained that the large number of aspirants already in the race makes consensus unrealistic.
For many party members in the state, the issue is no longer merely about candidacy; it is becoming a broader struggle over fairness, inclusion, and political legitimacy.
Benue: Democracy Versus Political Reconciliation.
In Benue State, efforts by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, to encourage reconciliation through consensus have also generated intense controversy.
Some party leaders reportedly believe consensus could reduce friction between Governor Hyacinth Alia and other political actors. However, aspirants like Dr Mathias Byuan and Dr Jeffrey Kuraun insist that democratic competition cannot be sacrificed for political convenience.
Byuan openly challenged the consensus move, arguing that popularity should be tested at the grassroots level rather than determined through elite negotiations.
His position reflects growing frustration among party members who fear that consensus arrangements could weaken internal democracy and alienate ordinary supporters.
Gombe: Legal Firestorm Erupts.
Perhaps nowhere is the dispute more legally charged than in Gombe State.
Former governor, Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje, rejected the state chapter’s consensus arrangement, arguing that the process excluded several recognised stakeholders within the party.
Through his aide, Saidu Muazu Kumo, Goje maintained that the alleged consensus meeting involved only Governor Muhammadu Yahaya and a select group of aspirants.
Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali also described the emergence of Jamilu Ishiyaku Gwamna as consensus candidate as unconstitutional and inconsistent with the Electoral Act.
He argued that Sections 84 and 87 of the Electoral Act require transparent primaries and written approval from all aspirants before consensus can become valid.
Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami, alongside former Minister of Transportation Saidu Alkali, are also reportedly prepared to challenge the arrangement politically and legally.
The disputes in Gombe illustrate how the APC’s internal contest is increasingly shifting from political negotiation to legal interpretation.
Oyo, Kano, Kwara: Grassroots Resistance Deepens.
In Oyo State, tension continues to escalate as multiple governorship aspirants refuse to withdraw from the race despite discussions surrounding consensus.
Heavyweights including Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Adebayo Adelabu, Akeem Agbaje, Dr Ayo Adesina, Ayodele Alao, and several others have already purchased nomination forms.
Many insist that open primaries remain the only credible path forward.
In Kano State, opposition to consensus has also spread beyond elite politicians to youth groups and grassroots stakeholders.
A coalition known as the Coalition for Better Kano reportedly opposed alleged moves to reserve the Kano Central Senatorial ticket for former governor Ibrahim Shekarau.
Meanwhile, in Kwara State, several aspirants ignored alleged pressure to support a preferred candidate and proceeded to obtain nomination forms, signalling determination to test their popularity through direct primaries.
Zamfara and Sokoto: Fragile Consensus.
In Zamfara State, consensus appears only partially successful.
While many stakeholders reportedly agreed to allow Governor Dauda Lawal emerge as sole governorship candidate, fierce contests remain over senatorial and other legislative positions.
Former Governor Mahmuda Shinkafi, Senator Sahabi Ya’u, Dr Sani Shinkafi, and former minister Tijjani Yahaya have all insisted on open competition.
Dr Sani Shinkafi warned that excluding aspirants from contests could destabilise party unity and create long-term resentment within the APC structure.
In Sokoto State, the party is similarly divided over consensus arrangements involving Governor Ahmed Aliyu and Senator Aliyu Wamakko.
Although consensus may hold for some key offices, indications suggest that many legislative positions could still be decided through direct primaries.
APC Leadership Defends Its Position.
Despite the mounting resistance, APC leaders continue to defend the consensus option as a lawful and legitimate political mechanism.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele argued that the Electoral Act already contains safeguards against manipulation because even a single dissenting aspirant can invalidate a consensus arrangement.
According to him, consensus is not designed to suppress democracy but to reduce unnecessary conflict and expensive political battles.
He further argued that consensus candidates must still secure endorsement at the ward level, insisting that no process can be completed entirely “under the table.”
Yet, critics remain unconvinced.
For many aggrieved aspirants, the issue is not whether consensus exists in law, but whether it is being honestly implemented.
Direct Primaries Loom Nationwide.
Perhaps recognising the growing turbulence, the APC National Working Committee has already adopted direct primaries for the presidential ticket.
The party’s National Secretary, Dr Ajibola Basiru, confirmed that every aspirant — including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu — would be free to contest.
That decision may now set the tone for what eventually happens across many states.
With resistance spreading nationwide, the APC leadership faces a defining dilemma: impose consensus at the risk of rebellion, litigation, and defections, or embrace direct primaries and allow internal democracy to determine the party’s future.
Whichever path the party chooses, one reality is becoming increasingly clear — the era of quiet political endorsements within the APC may be fading rapidly.
The battle for 2027 has already begun, and many aspirants are no longer willing to step aside quietly.
Chief Ben Ngwakwe is a political analyst based in Gombe.
