By Stephen Simon
Fresh tension has erupted within the All Progressives Congress ahead of its governorship primaries after aspirants in at least 10 states rejected attempts by party leaders to impose consensus candidates for the 2027 elections.
The growing resistance comes just days before the party’s governorship primaries scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026, with several aspirants insisting on direct contests rather than stepping down for preferred candidates backed by governors and influential party leaders.
States reportedly witnessing strong opposition to consensus arrangements include Lagos, Oyo, Kwara, Gombe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Plateau, Nasarawa, Rivers and Yobe, where internal lobbying and succession battles have intensified within the ruling party.
In Lagos, businessman and governorship aspirant Lanre Jim-Kamal was reported to have refused to withdraw from the race despite growing endorsements for Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat within sections of the party structure. Other aspirants have also openly criticised alleged attempts to impose candidates ahead of the primaries.
Oyo State has also emerged as one of the most competitive battlegrounds, with several heavyweights including former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, Senator Sharafadeen Alli and Akeem Agbaje positioning for the APC ticket amid resistance to any consensus arrangement.
In Yobe State, some governorship aspirants openly rejected the emergence of Baba Malam Wali as a consensus candidate, demanding transparent direct primaries and warning against attempts to sideline other contenders.
Despite the tension, consensus arrangements have reportedly succeeded in several states where only one governorship aspirant emerged, including Ogun, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Delta, Cross River, Ebonyi and Niger states.
The APC leadership has continued to push for consensus in many states to reduce internal conflict and post-primary litigation, but resistance from aspirants has exposed widening cracks within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier cautioned party leaders, governors and the APC national leadership against imposing candidates, urging the party to ensure transparent and fair primaries as political activities intensify nationwide.
