Signs of fresh turmoil have emerged within the ruling All Progressives Congress following contentious National Assembly primaries that have left several lawmakers and aspirants openly challenging results, withdrawing from races, or alleging manipulation of the electoral process.
From Ekiti State to Kebbi State, Abia State and Lagos State, tensions escalated over the weekend as disappointed contenders accused party officials of abandoning transparency and imposing preferred candidates.
The disputes have cast fresh doubt over the APC’s internal cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections, with growing fears that unresolved grievances may fuel defections, lawsuits, and anti-party activities in several battleground states.
The latest wave of protests comes amid broader unease within the party over zoning arrangements, consensus negotiations, and the influence of entrenched political blocs shaping candidate selection.
Ekiti dispute exposes cracks over return tickets
One of the sharpest confrontations erupted in Ekiti after House of Representatives member Akinlayo Kolawole rejected the result of the APC primary for Ekiti North Federal Constituency II.
The primary returning officer, Banjo Adedoyin, had declared former federal lawmaker Ibrahim Olarewaju winner of the exercise after polling 6,856 votes.
Kolawole was credited with 2,102 votes, while Ayodeji Dada and Omole Samson secured 2,896 and 1,322 votes respectively.
But the serving lawmaker insisted the outcome did not reflect the wishes of party delegates and supporters in the constituency.
In a statement issued through his aide, Kunle Adetifa, Kolawole described the process as lacking transparency and fairness.
“The announced outcome does not reflect the votes freely cast by delegates and party faithful,” he said.
He called on the party’s national leadership to intervene and review the exercise, arguing that a proper collation would validate the mandate allegedly given to him by supporters.
The dispute has intensified political tension within Ekiti APC circles, where competition for influence ahead of 2027 has increasingly divided key stakeholders.
Quiet withdrawals raise suspicion in Kebbi
In Kebbi State, the withdrawal of two prominent senatorial aspirants added another layer of intrigue to the primaries.
Former senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah formally stepped down from the Kebbi South race, citing consultations and “credible information” concerning the party’s disposition toward the primary.
Though he avoided direct accusations, political observers interpreted the statement as a subtle protest against what some insiders believe were predetermined outcomes.
Na’Allah said he chose to withdraw in the interest of party unity despite being a longstanding APC loyalist.
“I have dedicated over 14 years to building and strengthening this party,” he said.
Similarly, Sani M. Kabiru, popularly called Kabiru Sani Giant, also withdrew from the Kebbi Central contest.
Kabiru attributed his decision to “personal, political, and strategic considerations,” while reaffirming loyalty to the APC.
The withdrawals nevertheless strengthened perceptions that internal alignments and negotiations had already shaped the contests before voting commenced.
Abia primaries reveal competing power blocs
In Abia State, the primaries exposed fierce competition among emerging power blocs within the APC.
Former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Christopher Enweremadu, withdrew from the Abia Central senatorial race in support of Emeka Atuma.
Speaking at a meeting of the Isialangwa North Equity Movement, Enweremadu said the decision was based on zoning principles and the need to preserve political balance within the district.
He argued that the remaining tenure for the Abia Central seat should return to Ikwuano Local Government Area in line with existing agreements.
The meeting also endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027, aligning the movement with the president’s second-term ambition.
But elsewhere in the state, another APC aspirant openly disputed the outcome of a House of Representatives primary.
Onyeije Onuoha-Kalu rejected the declaration of Ikenna Nicholas as winner of the Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency contest.
Onuoha-Kalu claimed he won 15 of the constituency’s 22 wards and accused party officials of failing to uphold due process.
“Our party is law-abiding, and we practice the rule of law,” he said.
The APC National Assembly Primaries Appeal Committee has since commenced hearings in Umuahia to receive petitions from aggrieved aspirants.
Lagos aspirant joins growing list of dissenters
The disagreements extended to Lagos State, where House of Representatives aspirant Remi Oluwalogbon-Odunsi rejected the result of the Kosofe Federal Constituency primary.
In a statement personally signed by her, she said the figures being circulated did not correspond with any valid electoral process conducted in the constituency.
“I do not recognise or accept the purported outcome being circulated,” she said.
Oluwalogbon-Odunsi argued that accepting the declaration would amount to legitimising a flawed process and confirmed that she had already filed a formal petition before party authorities.
Growing anxiety over APC unity
The widening pattern of protests and withdrawals has renewed concerns about the APC’s ability to manage internal disputes ahead of the 2027 elections.
Analysts say the primaries have exposed deeper battles over succession plans, zoning arrangements, control of party structures, and access to federal political influence.
For the APC leadership, the challenge now extends beyond declaring winners.
The party must also contain resentment among powerful political actors who believe they were unfairly treated during the primaries.
Failure to do so, observers warn, could reopen old fault lines that previously triggered defections and weakened the party’s electoral strength in several states.
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