The All Progressives Congress (APC) is reportedly reconsidering its consensus arrangement for selecting candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections amid rising internal disagreements in several states.
Party sources say the leadership may resort to direct primaries in states where ongoing negotiations among stakeholders fail to produce agreement, as rival camps intensify jostling for governorship and other elective positions.
According to insiders, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda has already presented the election timetable to President Bola Tinubu, with formal unveiling expected soon. The party is working to meet Independent National Electoral Commission deadlines for submission of candidates.
While consensus has been achieved in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo for governorship positions, negotiations remain unresolved in states such as Nasarawa, Kwara, Adamawa, Bauchi, and Yobe, where incumbent governors and aspirants are struggling to agree on successors.
Party officials say incumbent governors are generally being given room to influence succession choices, but disagreements in some states could trigger open contests through direct primaries instead of negotiated consensus.
A senior APC source said the party is trying to avoid imposition that could spark defections or internal rebellion, adding that direct primaries remain a fallback option where consensus fails.
In states like Bauchi and Gombe, succession politics is already heating up, with multiple aspirants positioning themselves and informal alignments forming ahead of the party’s decisions.
In Yobe and Nasarawa, zoning debates and competing power blocs have further complicated negotiations, with some stakeholders warning that forced consensus could backfire politically.
Similarly, in Kwara and Adamawa, deep factional divisions and multiple aspirants with strong backing have made agreement difficult, raising the likelihood of competitive primaries.
Party leaders insist consultations are ongoing across all affected states, but acknowledge that the APC may ultimately have to rely on direct primaries in several flashpoint areas to preserve unity and electoral credibility ahead of 2027.
