ABUJA, NIGERIA — Aspirants seeking governorship tickets under the All Progressives Congress have reportedly rejected consensus arrangements in at least 10 states ahead of the party’s primaries, insisting instead on direct elections to determine flagbearers for the 2027 electoral cycle.
The disagreement highlights growing internal tension within the party as stakeholders attempt to manage candidate selection processes across multiple states.
Party leaders had reportedly encouraged consensus-building as a strategy to reduce internal conflict, streamline primaries, and strengthen unity ahead of the general elections.
However, several aspirants argue that consensus arrangements undermine internal democracy and may favour selected candidates over broader party participation.
In multiple states, contestants are said to be pushing for competitive delegate-based voting, describing it as the fairest method of determining the party’s governorship candidates.
Political observers note that disagreements over primary election formats have become a recurring feature of party politics in Nigeria, particularly within major political parties.
Analysts say aspirants often prefer direct contests when they believe they have strong grassroots support capable of securing delegate votes.
The rejection of consensus deals also reflects wider concerns about transparency and fairness in internal party decision-making processes.
Some aspirants reportedly warned that imposed consensus arrangements could trigger post-primary disputes, legal challenges, or internal divisions if not properly managed.
Stakeholders within the party are now being urged to balance unity efforts with democratic participation to avoid deepening tensions ahead of the primaries.
Political commentators argue that while consensus can reduce electoral costs and internal rivalry, it often fails when key stakeholders feel excluded from decision-making processes.
The situation underscores the high stakes surrounding governorship contests, where control of state structures remains a major political objective for parties and candidates.
As preparations continue, attention is focused on whether party leadership will revise its approach or proceed with a mix of consensus and competitive primaries depending on state dynamics.
