Confusion as APC shifts to direct primaries after consensus plan fails

Primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have started ahead of the 2027 general elections with contests for House of Representatives holding around the nation.

These primaries have been conducted amid various controversies related to consensus candidates, screening disputes, and internal conflicts that erupted in several states.

These primaries, originally slated to be conducted on Friday, were moved to Saturday owing to the differences between stakeholders in determining how elections would be conducted in the various states.

Despite efforts by the governors and APC officials to enforce consensus elections, the stiff opposition by most aspirants led to approval of primaries by APC’s national body in several constituencies across the country.

Prior to the exercise, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu called on governors, party leaders, and security operatives to guarantee the fairness, transparency, and conduct of the primary elections.

In Rivers State, four loyalists of Governor Siminalayi Fubara were disqualified, among them sitting legislators Awaji-Inombek Abiante and Boma Goodhead, while 21 aspirants were validated, which include Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly Martin Amaewhule.

In Borno State, consensus agreements guaranteed automatic nominations for several incumbents and political associates, among them Dr Kaumi Zulum, the younger brother of Governor Babagana Zulum, while some areas will go through direct primaries due to the rejection of consensus deals by aspirants.

Similarly, the Kano State government went mostly with consensus, where most sitting legislators would get automatic slots. However, there was stiff opposition from the Fagge Federal Constituency, which is opposed to an aspiring candidate giving way.

According to sources, more than 60 aspirants in Adamawa State have rejected claims of imposition of candidates and opted for transparent primaries in all constituencies.

Similarly, in Ondo, Plateau, Katsina, Lagos and Ogun States, where many aspirants have turned down consensus nominations, there are fears of stiff competition as some are determined to prove their popularity through direct primaries.

According to reports, at least 91 aspirants in Lagos State will contest 24 slots for House of Representatives in the upcoming primaries.

Felix Morka, APC spokesman, said on Friday that monitoring teams and appeals committees have been sent to various states for the exercise.

Morka appealed to aspirants and supporters to conduct themselves peacefully.