APC Faces Fresh Crisis as Candidate List Sparks Lawsuits, Defections Ahead of 2027
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is battling a fresh wave of internal crises after the release of its final list of candidates for the 2027 general election, with aggrieved aspirants challenging the outcome through court cases, petitions and defections.
Instead of ending the party’s nomination process, the publication of the candidate list has triggered widespread dissatisfaction in several states, raising concerns over the APC’s unity ahead of the polls.
Reports indicate that the party received more than 700 petitions following its nationwide primaries. After reviewing the complaints, the National Working Committee (NWC), led by National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, upheld many results but approved changes in some states before forwarding the final list to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Although the APC maintained that the adjustments were made to correct genuine irregularities and comply with the Electoral Act, many affected aspirants have rejected the decisions, insisting they were validly nominated during the primaries.
In Benue State, Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved aspirants sued the APC and INEC at the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging that the party unlawfully substituted their names despite their emergence through duly conducted primaries. The court has ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the case.
Similar disputes have erupted in Ondo, Kogi, Abia, Oyo, Delta, Lagos, Ogun, Kwara, Kaduna, Niger, Taraba and Ebonyi states, where several aspirants have either approached the courts or petitioned the party leadership over alleged irregularities in the nomination process.
In Delta State, former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege dumped the APC for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after rejecting the outcome of the Delta Central Senatorial primary, while in Niger State, several former political office holders also defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over dissatisfaction with the primaries.
Political analysts have warned that the growing number of lawsuits, petitions and defections could weaken the APC’s campaign structure, as aggrieved aspirants often control influential political networks capable of affecting election outcomes.
They also recalled the party’s experience in Zamfara and Rivers states in 2019, where internal disputes over primaries ultimately denied the APC major electoral victories despite its popularity.
Former Special Adviser on Civil Society Organisations to ex-APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi, urged dissatisfied members to allow the party to complete its internal processes before heading to court.
According to him, premature litigation could complicate reconciliation efforts and deepen divisions within the ruling party.
He stressed that every primary election produces winners and losers and called on aspirants who failed to secure tickets to remain loyal to the APC rather than engage in actions capable of weakening the party before the 2027 elections.
Legal experts, however, noted that the Electoral Act gives aspirants the right to challenge primary election outcomes in court if they believe the party violated its constitution or electoral laws.
With several cases already before the courts, observers say the APC now faces the difficult task of balancing internal reconciliation with legal battles as it prepares for the 2027 general election.
Many believe the party’s ability to resolve the disputes peacefully and restore confidence among its members could play a crucial role in determining its electoral fortunes in the coming polls.
Author
About The Author
