Ahead of Thursday’s governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress, resistance to consensus arrangements has intensified across several states, as many aspirants rejected pressure to step down and insisted on participating in the contest.
The development comes despite efforts by party leaders, governors, and stakeholders to reduce internal disputes through endorsements and consensus agreements ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In many APC-controlled states, incumbent governors and preferred candidates have already secured support from party structures. However, succession battles and internal rivalries continue to generate tension in states such as Kwara, Oyo, Gombe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Plateau, Lagos, Nasarawa, Rivers, and Yobe.
The party had fixed the cost of its governorship expression of interest form at N10 million and the nomination form at N40 million. With over 100 aspirants reportedly purchasing forms nationwide, the APC is expected to generate billions of naira from the exercise.
The party is scheduled to conduct governorship primaries in 28 states, with direct primaries expected to take place in states where consensus arrangements fail.
Several governors seeking second-term tickets or sole aspirants have already emerged as consensus candidates after securing overwhelming backing from party stakeholders in their states.
Among those enjoying consensus support are Governors Sheriff Oborevwori, Abba Kabir Yusuf, Peter Mbah, Umar Namadi, Dikko Umar Radda, Nasir Idris, Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, Dauda Lawal, Mohammed Umar Bago, Umo Eno, and Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
Party leaders in the affected states described the consensus arrangements as strategic measures aimed at preserving unity and avoiding unnecessary factional crises ahead of the elections.
In Sokoto and Kebbi states, party stakeholders reportedly declared support for Governors Ahmed Aliyu and Nasir Idris respectively, insisting there was no opposition within the party to their second-term ambitions.
Similarly, the APC leadership in Jigawa State confirmed that Governor Umar Namadi had emerged as the sole governorship aspirant, with party officials stressing that the process would only formalise the consensus already reached among members.
However, the situation appears different in Kwara State, where attempts to impose a consensus candidate have met stiff resistance from aspirants contesting to succeed Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The governor had reportedly endorsed Ambassador Yahaya Seriki as his preferred successor following consultations with party stakeholders. Despite the endorsement, several aspirants are said to be preparing to challenge the arrangement at the primaries, insisting that the contest should be decided through an open electoral process.
Political observers believe the outcome of the APC primaries in the affected states could shape the party’s internal stability and electoral strength ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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