The All Progressives Congress (APC) is heading into highly competitive governorship primaries across Nigeria’s 36 states, with rising tensions over consensus arrangements ahead of the 2027 general elections. While party leaders are pushing for unity candidates to avoid internal crises, many aspirants are resisting and insisting on testing their popularity at the polls.
In Rivers State, political drama intensified after Governor Siminalayi Fubara withdrew from the governorship primary, citing the need to preserve peace, unity, and stability. His withdrawal came after weeks of internal party negotiations and screening processes that had already eliminated several aspirants aligned with him.
The Rivers APC primary has since narrowed significantly, with multiple aspirants stepping down in favour of party unity. Notably, former governorship candidate Tonye Cole also withdrew, pledging support for whoever emerges as the party’s flagbearer. His decision followed consultations with stakeholders and national party leadership.
Other aspirants across states have similarly bowed out of contests in favour of consensus candidates, reflecting a broader APC strategy to consolidate power ahead of 2027. However, resistance remains strong in several states, with aspirants rejecting pressure to step down and demanding open primaries.
Kwara State has emerged as one of the most competitive battlegrounds, with 13 aspirants challenging Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s preferred candidate despite endorsements from party leadership. Lagos, Plateau, Gombe, Adamawa, Bauchi and Oyo are also witnessing intense internal contests.
In Adamawa, political alignments between the camps of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu are shaping the race, with aspirants split among competing power blocs. Similar factional tensions are also influencing outcomes in other states as aspirants align with influential political figures.
Meanwhile, in Plateau State, retired military officer Yilcini Bida insisted he had not withdrawn from the race despite rumours, reaffirming his intention to challenge the incumbent governor at the primaries. He promised to focus on infrastructure, security, and economic reforms if elected.
Overall, the APC primaries are shaping up to be a high-stakes political battle, with a mix of consensus deals, withdrawals, and fierce internal rivalries expected to determine the party’s governorship candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
