APC Aspirants Reject Consensus

APC Aspirants Reject Consensus

The All Progressives Congress is battling growing tension across several states as disagreements over consensus arrangements threaten preparations for the 2027 elections.

While some states have embraced consensus to avoid internal crises, others are witnessing fierce resistance from aspirants demanding direct primaries and open contests.

The divisions are already reshaping alliances within the ruling party ahead of the primaries.

In states like Katsina, Borno and Jigawa, party leaders have pushed consensus as a way to maintain unity and avoid costly political battles.

Governors and stakeholders in those states say the arrangement will strengthen the APC ahead of the polls.

In Borno, Mustapha Gubio emerged as the preferred governorship candidate after Senator Kakashehu Lawan stepped down in support of party unity.

The situation is different in Ogun, Oyo, Yobe and Kano where many aspirants have rejected consensus arrangements.

In Ogun, tensions rose over the Ogun East senatorial ticket involving Governor Dapo Abiodun and former governor Gbenga Daniel.

In Yobe, governorship hopefuls opposed the endorsement of Baba Wali, insisting that direct primaries remain the only fair option.

The crisis has also spread to Benue, Gombe, Ondo and Kwara, where party members continue to disagree on how candidates should emerge.

Some aspirants accused party leaders of attempting to impose candidates, while others warned that forced consensus could divide the APC before the elections.

Despite the disputes, the party leadership said consultations were ongoing and maintained that direct primaries would be used where consensus fails.