Political Battle Shifts to Abuja as APC Senatorial Aspirants Fight to Retain, Reclaim Party Tickets

Fresh political tension is brewing within the ranks of the ruling All Progressives Congress as aggrieved senatorial aspirants intensify moves to overturn outcomes of the party’s controversial primaries, forcing the battle for tickets away from the states and into Abuja, the nation’s political power centre and headquarters of the party.

Investigations revealed that several aspirants who lost during the primaries are dissatisfied with the conduct of the exercises, alleging manipulation, imposition, irregular delegate lists and interference by powerful political interests.

While some have openly rejected the results announced in their states, others are quietly mobilising legal and political pressure aimed at compelling the national leadership of the party to review the outcomes.

The crisis has become so widespread that the leadership of the APC reportedly directed that no state chapter should make unilateral announcements or final declarations on certain disputed senatorial contests pending further consultations at the national level.

As a result, Abuja has now become the new battleground where rival camps are lobbying party leaders, members of the National Working Committee and influential power brokers in desperate bids either to reclaim lost tickets or defend victories already secured.

In Delta North Senatorial District, the political contest has assumed a dramatic dimension as former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and incumbent senator, Ned Nwoko, are reportedly locked in a fierce battle of strategy and influence over the APC ticket.

Sources within the party disclosed that the contest has polarised stakeholders in the district, with both camps claiming legitimacy and insisting that the process favoured vested interests.

While loyalists of one faction argue that the primary outcome reflected the will of delegates, the opposing side insists that the exercise was compromised and failed to meet acceptable democratic standards.

The disagreement has since escalated beyond Delta State, with supporters of both camps storming Abuja in what insiders describe as a coordinated effort to sway the party’s national leadership.

Political observers believe the Delta North contest could become one of the defining internal battles within the APC ahead of the general elections, especially given the stature and influence of the personalities involved.

The crisis is equally intense in Delta Central where former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, and Senator Ede Dafinone are reportedly engaged in what party insiders described as a “fight for political survival.”

Supporters of both camps have continued to challenge aspects of the primary process, with allegations of irregularities dominating discussions among party faithful.

Those aligned with Omo-Agege insist that political structures loyal to the former deputy senate president remain dominant in the district and should not be undermined through what they termed “administrative manipulations.”

On the other hand, loyalists of Dafinone maintain that the senator enjoys the confidence of party delegates and grassroots members, arguing that attempts to invalidate the outcome amount to political intimidation.

The battle has now shifted fully to Abuja where both sides are said to be engaging senior party officials in marathon consultations aimed at protecting their interests before final ratification of candidates.

Findings indicate that similar disputes are unfolding in several other states where unsuccessful aspirants are refusing to accept defeat.

In many of the affected states, petitions challenging the conduct of the primaries have flooded the national secretariat of the APC. Some aspirants are demanding outright cancellation of the exercises while others are calling for fresh primaries.

Party insiders disclosed that the volume of complaints received at the national headquarters has created anxiety within the APC leadership, especially amid fears that unresolved disputes could trigger defections, litigations and anti-party activities ahead of the elections.

A source familiar with developments said the party leadership was making frantic efforts to manage the crisis quietly in order to avoid further embarrassment.

“There are serious battles going on behind closed doors. Many aspirants believe they were shortchanged. Those who lost are fighting to retrieve their tickets while those declared winners are fighting even harder to retain them,” the source disclosed.

With state chapters increasingly sidelined in the resolution process, Abuja has effectively emerged as the final battlefield where political influence, lobbying and strategic alliances may ultimately determine the fate of several senatorial tickets.

Hotels around the federal capital are reportedly filled with party chieftains, lawyers, political negotiators and loyalists of competing aspirants, all seeking access to influential figures within the party hierarchy.

Observers say the situation reflects deeper cracks within the APC’s internal democratic process and may test the capacity of the party leadership to manage competing interests without further deepening divisions.

For now, uncertainty continues to hang over several senatorial contests as aspirants await final decisions from the national leadership of the party.

What remains clear, however, is that the struggle for APC tickets is far from over, it has merely shifted from the states to Abuja, where the real political war is now being fought behind closed doors.