The All Progressives Congress (APC) witnessed a turbulent round of governorship and state assembly primaries on Thursday as internal disagreements, allegations of imposition, and logistical challenges disrupted the process in several states.
The party was forced to postpone governorship primaries in Kwara and Bauchi States, as well as state assembly primaries in Maradun I and Maradun II constituencies of Zamfara State, after efforts to secure consensus arrangements failed.
In Nasarawa State, the exercise was also delayed due to the late arrival of electoral materials, forcing many party members to return home as voting was shifted to Friday.
In a statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party explained that the postponements were approved by the National Working Committee following consultations with stakeholders to ensure a transparent, peaceful, and credible process.
Despite the official explanation, the decision triggered widespread suspicion and tension among party members, especially in Kwara and Bauchi, where supporters accused influential figures of attempting to manipulate the primaries in favour of preferred aspirants.
In Kwara State, political uncertainty intensified around Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s preferred successor, Ambassador Yahaya Seriki. Shortly after the postponement announcement, no fewer than eight governorship aspirants stepped down for Seriki following closed-door consultations aimed at preserving party unity.
Among those who withdrew were Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Prof Wale Sulaiman, Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, and several others.
Even before the postponement was formally announced, APC members had gathered at voting centres across Kwara. At several wards in Ilorin, supporters openly chanted support for Seriki while confusion grew over the delay in electoral materials.
Some members in parts of Kwara South reportedly improvised their own voting process after waiting for hours without officials arriving, although party leaders later dismissed the claims.
In Bauchi State, supporters of governorship aspirant Nura Soro staged protests at the hotel where members of the APC electoral committee were staying, accusing party leaders of attempting to manipulate the process.
Campaign officials insisted they only wanted a transparent exercise and warned against candidate imposition. Protesters questioned why only Bauchi and Kwara experienced postponements while primaries proceeded in other states.
Political drama also unfolded in Rivers State after Governor Siminalayi Fubara withdrew from the APC governorship race on Wednesday night, citing peace and unity in the state.
His withdrawal, however, sparked outrage among supporters and political allies who accused powerful interests within the party of sidelining him politically.
Despite the controversy, the APC primary in Rivers continued, with Kingsley Chinda emerging as the party’s governorship candidate after polling 268,497 votes.
Across many other states, the primaries were conducted peacefully, with several governors and consensus-backed aspirants securing tickets comfortably.
In Delta State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori emerged victorious with 345,375 votes, while Governor Peter Mbah secured the APC governorship ticket in Enugu State amid massive support from party members.
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, also won the APC governorship primary in the state after polling 657,917 votes.
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One of the biggest surprises came from Gombe State, where Jamilu Gwamna defeated former ministers Isa Pantami and Said Alkali in the governorship contest.
Meanwhile, the APC also announced the formation of committees for its 2026 presidential primary scheduled for May 23.
Former Senate President Pius Anyim was named chairman of the Presidential Primary Election Committee, while former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari was appointed chairman of the appeal committee.
The party said the presidential primary would be conducted through direct voting across all 8,809 wards nationwide.
President Bola Tinubu and Stanley Osifo are the two aspirants cleared for the APC presidential race.
