Turmoil grips the APC ahead of Saturday's primary elections. Internal disputes, collapsed negotiations, and accusations of forced candidates threaten party unity across multiple states.
Originally set for Friday, the House of Representatives contests were postponed to Saturday. Party leaders made the late decision to hold urgent consultations and prevent escalating conflicts.
Key figures backing President Tinubu have grown increasingly worried about the crisis. Reconciliation teams are now working overtime in Kano, Taraba, Kaduna, Oyo, Edo, Yobe, Abia, and Kwara.
Tinubu released a statement urging restraint from all party members. He warned that bitter internal fights could hand victory to opposition candidates in 2027.
"Every contest produces winners and losers," the President noted in his message. He called on victors to stay humble and defeated aspirants to accept results gracefully.
But appeals for unity haven't stopped the chaos on the ground. In Kano and Taraba, consensus talks collapsed as aspirants refused to step aside for chosen candidates.
Direct primaries now loom in these two states after negotiations hit deadlock. Multiple constituencies remain gridlocked over candidate selections.
Abia's Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu denied reports of automatic tickets for any aspirants. He promised that all candidates would compete through fair and open processes.
Oyo witnessed angry protests over alleged forced nominations for preferred contenders. In Edo, several aspirants are resisting pressure to withdraw from the race.
Not all states are burning though. Sokoto and Borno recorded smoother talks between party leaders and aspirants.
Consensus arrangements succeeded in most constituencies across these two states. Party unity appears stronger in the north-west and north-east regions.
Saturday's House primaries will select candidates for the national assembly. The APC has scheduled May 23 for its presidential primary elections.
Governorship and state assembly primaries follow on May 21 and May 20. Senatorial contests are slated for May 18, 2026.
