Candidates’ Final List Crises Tear APC Apart As Defections Loom Across States Ahead Of 2027

APC

Candidates’ Final List Crises Tear APC Apart

OpenLife News reports that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is battling waves of internal crisis following its May primaries, with defections, lawsuits and factional disputes threatening the party’s unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

On Saturday, INEC published the final list of governorship candidates and running mates in Form EC9 at its offices nationwide, officially confirming who will fly the flags of major parties in 2027.

We Must Go To The Battlefield United

APC National Working Committee says it has set up reconciliation committees at state and zonal levels to placate aggrieved aspirants.

“The party is taking reconciliation seriously because we have to go to the battlefield united. We are extending an olive branch to those who did not get what they wanted at the first attempt,” APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said.

But the intensity of the disputes varies by state, with some escalating into court cases and high-profile defections.

Gombe: Yahaya Inaugurates 25-Member Peace Panel

Governor Muhammadu Yahaya inaugurated a 25-member reconciliation committee chaired by Deputy Governor Manassah Jatau to resolve grievances after congresses and primaries.Yahaya said the target is to retain all elective positions in Gombe and deliver at least one million votes for President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Yobe: Maihaja Challenges Wali In Court

In Yobe, governorship aspirant Mustapha Maihaja is challenging the May 21 primary that produced Alhaji Baba Wali with 236,711 votes.
Maihaja’s counsel told the Federal High Court in Damaturu that the exercise violated APC guidelines. The case was adjourned to September 7-9. Wali has called for unity while ADC says it is ready to “defeat APC” in 2027.

Nasarawa: Ex-IG Adamu Defects To SDP

Former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu dumped the APC for the SDP, citing lack of internal democracy in the governorship primary.
Aspirant Prof. Mohammed Haruna also rejected the primary won by Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, alleging manipulation. APC Chairman Aliyu Bello said the defections would not affect 2027 chances.

Benue: Akume vs Alia Crisis Deepens

The feud between SGF George Akume and Governor Hyacinth Alia has led to court action. Aspirant Sesugh Kaaba sued to stop INEC from recognizing substituted candidates.
After Alia’s loyalists won NASS primaries, the NWC replaced several names including Gabriel Suswam with Emmanuel Udende, and Aber Terseer with Titus Zam. Former Majority Leader Terseer Sater has defected to the Accord Party.

Adamawa, Sokoto, Kebbi: Imposition Allegations

In Adamawa, chieftains allege candidates were imposed without primaries for Numan/Demsa/Lamurde and Gombi/Hong seats. Peter Fwa and Vrati Zonzo defected to Labour Party.
In Kebbi, Senator Garba Maidoki defected to ADC after being screened out of the APC primary. Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah also withdrew, alleging the process was predetermined.
In Sokoto, Rep. Isah Ambarura defected to ADC despite Governor Ahmed Aliyu emerging through consensus.

Kwara: Mustapha Joins PDP

The G15 group rejected the primary that produced Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu. Senator Saliu Mustapha resigned and picked PDP’s Kwara Central ticket, setting up a clash with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in 2027. PDP has asked Bukola Saraki to woo more APC defectors.

Imo, Ebonyi: Court Battles

In Imo, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and ex-Governor Rochas Okorocha are in court over Imo North and West senatorial tickets. APC spokesman Jones Onwuasoanya dismissed the suits as “frivolous.”
In Ebonyi, a dispute in Afikpo/Edda over Joseph Ekumankama replacing Idu Igariwey has exposed a rift between Governor Francis Nwifuru and David Umahi.

Bayelsa, Edo: Relative Calm

Bayelsa APC reports no major defection after using direct primaries and zoning. Edo APC says defeated aspirants including Osagie Ize-Iyamu have accepted Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama’s win for Edo South.

With 2027 approaching, the APC’s ability to reconcile warring camps may determine whether it retains power or loses ground to ADC, PDP and LP in key states.