No Handouts, No Handshakes: APC Aspirants in 10 States Blow Up Consensus Deals Ahead of Primaries

As the All Progressives Congress prepares for its governorship primaries on Thursday, May 21, a fierce internal revolt is brewing. In at least ten states, angry aspirants have rejected pressure from party leaders to accept consensus arrangements, insisting on an open contest to test their popularity.

The pushback undermines efforts by governors and party executives to streamline the primaries through backroom endorsements a strategy designed to prevent internal fractures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While consensus candidates have emerged smoothly in 11 states, including Kano, Delta, and Sokoto, succession battles are raging in Kwara, Gombe, Oyo, Adamawa, Bauchi, Plateau, Lagos, Nasarawa, Rivers, and Yobe.

Nationwide, 101 governorship aspirants purchased nomination forms, with the APC raking in approximately N5.05 billion (N10 million for expression of interest and N40 million for nomination).

Direct primaries will now be held where consensus fails, with appeals scheduled for May 24.

In Kwara State, the situation is particularly explosive. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has endorsed Ambassador Yahaya Seriki, prompting some grassroots leaders and the Speaker of the House to withdraw in his favor.

But heavyweight aspirants including former Senate Leader Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Muhammed Belgore, and Salihu Mustapha have flatly rejected calls to step aside.

A senior party official in Ilorin confirmed that many believe the ticket must be won through a democratic contest, not a coronation.

Other states tell a similar story. Oyo has 11 aspirants; Adamawa has 10; Bauchi features eight, including former Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar.

In Plateau, retired military officer Yilcini Bida dismissed rumors he had stepped down for the incumbent, vowing to challenge for the ticket.

In Lagos, Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has gained endorsements, but businessman Lanre Jim Kamal has refused to bow out, continuing his campaign despite pressure.

An APC national secretariat source admitted the tightrope walk between internal democracy and political stability.

"Many aspirants feel they have invested too much political and financial capital to simply withdraw," the source said. The result? Intense electoral battles expected on Thursday.