Resistance has intensified across several states as governorship aspirants within the All Progressives Congress reject consensus arrangements ahead of the party’s upcoming primaries, deepening tensions in the ongoing APC primaries consensus process. Reports indicate that aspirants in at least 10 states have refused to step down for agreed candidates, insisting instead on competitive primary elections to determine party flagbearers.
The controversy surrounding the consensus stems from the party’s growing reliance on consensus-based arrangements as a method of selecting candidates for governorship, legislative, and other elective positions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Across different states, the All Progressives Congress has attempted to encourage aspirants to reach internal agreements to reduce the cost and tension associated with contested primaries. However, this approach has increasingly generated resistance among party members who argue that it limits internal democracy.
In several states, political stakeholders have continued to engage in negotiations aimed at narrowing down aspirants, but disagreements have persisted over perceived imposition of candidates. Findings indicate that the resistance to the APC primaries consensus arrangement is strongest in at least 10 states where governorship aspirants have openly rejected stepping down for agreed candidates.
In some of the affected states, aspirants insist that they must be allowed to test their popularity through direct primaries, arguing that consensus arrangements are being influenced by party power blocs rather than broad consultations.
Reports show that in states where consensus candidates were proposed, dissenting aspirants have mobilised supporters to challenge the decisions, describing the process as inconsistent with internal democratic principles.
The dispute reflects broader concerns within the party, as multiple stakeholders continue to express differing interpretations of how consensus should be applied under party guidelines. Despite these tensions, the APC has continued preparations for its primaries, with party structures in various states expected to either proceed with consensus lists or revert to direct voting where agreements fail.
The growing resistance to the APC primaries consensus arrangement highlights ongoing tensions between party unity strategies and internal democratic competition.
Political observers note that while consensus arrangements are intended to reduce post-primary conflicts, they can also create dissatisfaction among aspirants who feel excluded from decision-making processes. The situation may influence the stability of party structures in some states, especially where aspirants who lose out in consensus arrangements decide to challenge outcomes or defect.
