Opposition is mounting within the All Progressives Congress (APC) as aspirants across several states reject the party’s proposed consensus mode of primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
What party leaders initially presented as a unifying mechanism is now facing widespread resistance. Many aspirants insist that only open, competitive primaries can guarantee fairness and compliance with the Electoral Act, 2026.
Section 87 of the Act sets strict conditions for consensus. All cleared aspirants must give written consent to withdraw and endorse a single candidate. Where such consent is absent, parties must revert to direct primaries.
Yobe, Nasarawa And Benue Push Back
In Yobe State, Governor Mai Mala Buni and other leaders endorsed former SSG Wali as consensus candidate. However, Kashim Musa Tumsah, former Inspector‑General Usman Alkali Baba, and Senator Ibrahim Bomai rejected the arrangement.
Tumsah warned that consensus “does not mean one or two people sitting in a room selecting whoever they want as the party’s candidate.” Baba added: “If I believed in any consensus, I wouldn’t be here. I have not attended any consensus meeting, nor have I agreed to support anyone.”
In Nasarawa, Governor Abdullahi Sule reportedly backed Senator Aliyu Wadada. But former Inspector‑General Mohammed Adamu and Dr Fatima Abdullahi dismissed the plan.
Adamu said: “We are not considering the issue of consensus because we are in this contest to win.” Abdullahi added: “We will be comfortable with direct primaries… we have over six aspirants, so automatically we are going for direct primaries.”
Benue State has also seen resistance. Dr Mathias Byuan rejected mediation efforts, saying: “I bought a form, and the governor and I will test the grounds. If he is popular, let him win. If I’m popular, I will win.”
Resistance Across States
Adamawa aspirants like Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas insisted consensus must not replace democratic competition. “If we agree among ourselves, fine. If we do not agree, we go for a contest,” he said.
In Gombe, Senator Danjuma Goje and Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali described consensus as “undemocratic, arbitrary, and inconsistent” with the Act. Former ministers Isa Pantami and Saidu Alkali vowed to challenge the process.
Similar disputes have emerged in Bauchi, Kwara, Zamfara, Kano, Oyo, and Sokoto, where aspirants continue to purchase nomination forms despite consensus announcements.
Meanwhile, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele defended consensus, saying: “The law is rigid; even a single dissenting voice can nullify a consensus agreement and trigger a full direct primary.”
At the national level, the APC has confirmed direct primaries for its presidential ticket. National Secretary Dr Ajibola Basiru said any aspirant, including President Bola Tinubu, will be free to contest.
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