The All Progressives Congress (APC) is grappling with mounting internal crises as the party delays the release of screening results for aspirants ahead of the 2027 elections, triggering anxiety among allies of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The uncertainty has heightened tensions, with fears of defections and violence looming over the primary elections.
Screening Delay Sparks Uncertainty
The party's silence on the screening outcome has left the political future of Fubara's allies in limbo. Sources within the APC suggest the delay may be linked to President Bola Tinubu's trip to Kenya, as party leaders await his return before finalizing the results. Others allege the leadership is cautious to avoid provoking aggrieved aspirants into defecting. The absence of National Working Committee members, including National Chairman Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, at the secretariat has deepened concerns. Efforts to reach APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka were unsuccessful.
Speculations abound over the proposed direct primaries, with fears that lawmakers aligned with Fubara in the Rivers State House of Assembly could face marginalization. Reports claim several pro-Fubara aspirants failed the internal screening, though the APC denies bias. Similar tensions persist in Benue State, where divisions involving Governor Hyacinth Alia are creating pressure. Insiders warn that unresolved grievances could deepen divisions within the ruling party.
Goje Defects Over Consensus Dispute
Former Gombe State Governor Senator Danjuma Goje has left the APC after opposing a consensus arrangement for the Gombe South Senatorial District. Governor Inuwa Yahaya backed Jerry Damara as the consensus candidate, leading to Goje's exit. This highlights growing influence of state governors in candidate selection. Meanwhile, some former governor-senators like Adamu Aliero and Ahmad Lawan have secured re-election opportunities, but Senator Orji Uzor Kalu faces internal opposition from Dr Phillips Nto for the Abia North ticket. Governor Alex Otti of Abia is reportedly divided over Labour Party candidates for the same seat.
Violence Fears in Ondo State
An uneasy calm has gripped Ondo State communities due to an alleged influx of political thugs ahead of APC primaries. The party has scheduled House of Representatives primaries for May 15, Senate and State Assembly primaries for May 18 and 20. Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and some National Assembly members are locked in a dispute over return tickets, after the national leadership rejected a consensus list and insisted on direct primaries. Residents in Owo, Akure, Idanre, Irele, Okitipupa, and Akoko South West reported unfamiliar persons moving into their areas.
The Ondo State Government appealed for peaceful conduct, urging stakeholders to prioritize party and state interests. Residents fear a repeat of violence that marred recent congresses, including attacks on party leaders at the APC secretariat in Akure, shootings in Idanre, and machete attacks in Owo. The Police Command, led by Commissioner Adebowale Lawal, conducted a show-of-force in Idanre and Owo, deploying conventional and tactical operatives to maintain order.
Women Excluded from Primaries
Women's rights advocate Osasu Igbinedion Ogwuche accused political parties of systematically excluding women from leadership positions in primary processes. She noted that women are pressured to step down for consensus candidates across the APC, PDP, SDP, and ADC. Nigeria ranks 180th out of 185 countries in women's parliamentary representation, with only 4% of National Assembly seats held by women, compared to the global average of 26.9%. Ogwuche cited Rwanda's 60% representation through constitutional measures.
The Reserved Seats for Women Bill, endorsed by President Tinubu and other leaders, remains stalled in the National Assembly. Ogwuche argued that increasing women's participation is a democratic and economic imperative, citing studies linking higher female representation to stronger institutions and lower corruption. She urged female aspirants not to step down, but to build coalitions and push for reforms. “To women with the appetite to lead: do not step down. Document everything. Build coalitions. Make noise,” she stated, adding that Nigeria cannot afford to exclude women from governance.
