The All Progressives Congress (APC) is set for one of its biggest internal political tests as the party conducts governorship primaries today amid mounting tension, fierce power struggles, and widening cracks within its ranks ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Across the country, the build-up to the exercise has exposed deep divisions among governors, ministers, lawmakers, and influential party stakeholders jostling to shape the party’s future and control its political structures beyond the current administration cycle.
Across several states, succession battles have intensified, particularly where incumbent governors are completing their second terms and are pushing to install loyal successors in a bid to retain political influence after leaving office.
States such as Kwara, Gombe, Oyo, Adamawa, Bauchi, Plateau, Lagos, Nasarawa, Rivers and Yobe among others remain hotspots of intense intra-party contestations.
In Kwara State, consensus efforts have suffered setbacks as over 10 aspirants prepare to confront Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s preferred candidate, Yahaya Seriki, despite some withdrawals.
A similar situation is unfolding in Nasarawa State, where aspirants are challenging Governor Abdullahi Sule’s anointed successor, Senator Ahmed Wadada. In Lagos State, political negotiations have continued as aspirants realign ahead of the primaries, with many coalescing around Obafemi Hamzat.
Bauchi State also presents a crowded field, including Yusuf Tuggar, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Shehu Buba Umar, and Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, former governor of the state among others. In Oyo State, key contenders include Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Akeem Agbaje, and Dr Muyiwa Gbadegesin.
Adamawa State has an equally crowded race, with Abdulrazak Namdas, Mustapha Salihu, Senator Aminu Abbas, Abdurahaman Haske, Felix Tangwami, Joel Madaki and Bello Ibrahim in contention. In Abia State, four aspirants, Mascot Uzor-Kalu, Henry Ikoh, Martins Azubuike, and Opah Chinemeucheya, have locked horns for the governorship ticket.
Benue State also has several aspirants, including Mathias Byuan, Kuraun Isaac, Akutah Ukeyima, and Terwase Orbunde, challenging Governor Hyacinth Alia. Gombe State’s contest features Senator Sa’id Alkali and Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s preferred candidate, Jamil Gwamna.
In Plateau State, one of the aspirants, retired military officer Yilcini Bida, dismissed reports suggesting he had stepped down for Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
Meanwhile, some of the first-term governors who defected to the APC from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are widely regarded as consensus candidates within the party. They include Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Abba Yusuf (Kano), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom).
However, BusinessDay reports that one of the major issues shaping the primaries is the rising allegation of candidates imposition by outgoing governors and entrenched party leaders.
Aspirants in several states have accused powerful interests of manipulating delegates’ lists and screening processes to favour preferred contenders, leading to protests, parallel meetings, and threats of legal action in some cases.
Another major fault line is the mode of primaries. While the APC leadership has encouraged consensus arrangements to reduce rancour and litigation, many aspirants insist on direct primaries, arguing that consensus is increasingly being used as a tool for imposition rather than agreement.
Security concerns have also heightened in politically sensitive states following reports of clashes among supporters of rival camps. There are fears that disputes over voting procedures, and result announcements could trigger violence in some areas.
Observers are also watching how the party navigates zoning arrangements, ethnic balancing, and power-sharing considerations, particularly in states where such factors remain politically sensitive.
Fubara knows fate today
Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers State governor, is expected to know his fate today amid growing uncertainty over his future within the ruling party.
Fubara had appeared before the screening panel after other governorship aspirants from Rivers State were screened ahead of today’s primaries. He, however, declined to speak with journalists after the exercise in Abuja.
The uncertainty surrounding his ambition has been heightened by the position of his political mentor and predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who has repeatedly insisted that Fubara would not secure a second term in 2027.
The situation became more intriguing following Wike’s recent meeting with Nentawe Yilwatda, the APC National Chairman, in Abuja. Wike and Fubara have remained locked in a prolonged political battle over the control of the state’s political structure, governance, and resources despite being members of different parties.
Wike is a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) but is serving in the APC-led government as Minister for the FCT, and wields so much influence in both parties.
Those contesting against Fubara are Kingsley Chinda, Dax George-Kelly and Tonye Cole.