The All Progressives Congress is facing growing internal tensions across several states as its consensus arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections continues to generate resistance, competing interests, and political realignments within the party structure.
Findings by The PUNCH show that in some states, including Katsina, Borno, and Jigawa, party stakeholders have adopted the consensus option as a strategy to reduce intra-party conflict and promote unity ahead of the elections.
However, as gathered by our correspondent, in other states such as Ondo, Benue, Oyo and others, the party is heading for competitive primaries across key constituencies as aspirants insist on open contests to determine candidates.
Meanwhile, states like Yobe, Ogun, Sokoto, Plateau, Kwara and others are witnessing growing pushback, with several aspirants rejecting consensus arrangements and demanding a more transparent and competitive selection process.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Thursday, submitted the completed expression of interest and nomination forms of Bola Tinubu to the national leadership of the APC in Abuja.
The submission, held at the Shettima Hall of the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre, attracted top government officials and party stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, Shettima urged Nigerians across political, religious, and ethnic lines to support Tinubu’s 2027 bid, describing it as key to sustaining ongoing reforms and national development.
He stated, “On behalf of our great party, I urge all Nigerians, irrespective of differences in political affiliations, religious persuasions, private or social background, to support this nomination and, by the special grace of God, the candidacy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
Speaking at the event, the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, said the submission of the forms represents continuity as well as a consolidation of the administration’s ongoing reforms and development initiatives.
“Our National Executive Committee, which is the second-highest decision-making organ of the party, has already endorsed Mr President and we stand firmly by that decision,” he said.
He further stated that the APC National Working Committee has unanimously backed Tinubu for a second term, citing what he called the President’s “remarkable performance.”
“The governors have seen the positive impact of these reforms. Today, there is more money accruing to states and local governments, ”he added.
Ajibola Bashiru, the National Secretary, observed that the submission of the forms marks an important step toward Tinubu’s participation in the party primaries and his eventual bid for re-election in 2027.
On the mode of presidential primary, Bashiru said, “The party has adopted direct primary for the emergence of its presidential candidate. Whoever is willing to contest against President Tinubu can do so.”
