Disputed Primaries: APC Moves To Avert Court Battles

Says some members may have a reason to be dissatisfied

In an apparent move to avoid litigation that could destabilise it ahead of the 2027 general election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has appealed to aggrieved aspirants from the recently held primaries not to pursue court action against the party.

While APC has not made a public statement to plead with the concerned aspirants, there are indications that the party is doing so in a subtle manner.

APC sent shockwaves through the political sphere when the list of its candidates submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the 2027 general election became public.

The list of candidates for Senate and House of Representatives seats was contained in a letter jointly signed by the APC national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and the national secretary, Dr Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru.

The list, covering seven senatorial districts and 19 House of Representatives constituencies across the nine states of Kogi, Abia, Benue, Taraba, Ondo, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna and Ebonyi, was issued following the conclusion of the work of the party’s appeals committee, which addressed complaints arising from the primary elections.

Consequently, 26 high-profile aspirants, including former governors and members of the National Assembly who had emerged as candidates in the primaries, were replaced by new flag-bearers in the affected constituencies.

In the letter to INEC, the APC said the replacements followed the recommendations of the party’s Primary Election Appeals Committee, adding that the exercise complied with the Electoral Act 2026 and INEC guidelines.

Prominent among those dropped are Sen. Gabriel Suswam (Benue North East), who was replaced by Sen. Emmanuel Udende; a retired Assistant Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs, Benjamin Aber (Benue North West), who was replaced by Sen. Titus Zam; and Aro Samuel Bamidele, who was replaced by Sen. Sunday Karimi, the serving senator representing Kogi West.

Similarly, Prince Paul Ikonne replaced Edinburgh Uchenna Erondu in Abia South; Shuaibu Isa Lau replaced Mohammed Kabir Bello in Taraba North; Adeniyi Adegbonmire replaced Taiwo Fasoranti in Ondo Central; and Olajide Ipinsagba replaced Gbenga Elegbeleye in Ondo North.

In the House of Representatives, Benue recorded several changes. In Makurdi/Guma, Hon. Dickson Tarkighir replaced Ikper Chris Terfa; in Vandeikya/Konshisha, Hon. Sesoo Ikpagher replaced Livinus Tsar Adzor; in Kwande/Ushongo, Hon. Terser Ugbor replaced Kohol Shedrach Iornem; in Buruku, Hon. Sekav Iyortyom replaced Gideon Inyom; while in Gwer East/Gwer West, Hon. Austin Asema Achado replaced Nongo David.

For the Gashaka/Kurmi/Sardauna Federal Constituency of Taraba State, Peter Abel Diah replaced Sanusi Mohammed Galadima.

In Suleja/Tafa/Gurara (Niger), Abubakar Lado Abdullahi replaced Adamu Tanko. In Lavun/Edati/Mokwa (Niger), Adamu Suleiman replaced Adamu Usman.

In Ekiti/Irepodun/Oke-Ero (Kwara), Raheem Tunji Olawuyi replaced Olasumbo Florence Oyeyemi, while in Edu/Patigi/Moro (Kwara), Mohammed Mamman replaced Bello Tauheed Abubakar.

Ondo State recorded a major shake-up in Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, where Donald Ojogo replaced Akingboye Leke.

In Idanre, Festus Olarewaju replaced Rasaq Obe; in Owo/Ose, Oluwatimehin Akintomide replaced Kayode Ijalana; in Okitipupa/Irele, Okunjinmi John Odimayo replaced Olumuyiwa Daramola; in Ondo West/Ondo East, Michel Olamidotun Akintomide replaced Abiola Makinde; while in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo/Odigbo, Festus Ayodele Adefiranye replaced Oyerinmade Matthew.

Also, in Kaduna North, Abdulazeez Kaka replaced Samaila Abdu Suleiman; in Ukwa East/Ukwa West (Abia), Samuel Okezie replaced Chris Nkwonta; while in Afikpo North/Edda (Ebonyi), Ekumankama Joseph Nkama replaced Hon. Iduma Igariwey Enwo, Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Appropriations Committee.

After the appeals reports were considered and the revised list forwarded to INEC, the APC concluded its internal nomination process.

APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, who gave this indication during a recent chat with journalists, said the party’s priority then was to ensure that all its candidates completed their INEC nomination forms for upload to the electoral umpire’s portal.

Morka disclosed that the party received over 700 petitions from aggrieved contestants who felt shortchanged by the internal electoral process across various constituencies.

The APC spokesperson further explained that the party painstakingly reviewed every petition, a process that led to changes in some of the candidates who had earlier emerged from the primaries.

“For those aggrieved, we took our time to undertake a very thorough review of all the petitions that came after the primaries. Over 700 petitions were received and properly vetted.

“Some were successful, and some were not. Successful petitions led to corrections in some constituencies. Those who were not successful were not retained; those who were earlier declared were.

“In a few cases, there were upsets based on the outcome of the petitions, and decisions were made on them,” he said.

Indicating that the review process had been concluded, Morka added, “We have gone past that. So the people today filling the forms are those who emerged originally without challenge, and those who emerged from the appeal process. This is the final position of the review.”

With the APC taking this position, the affected aspirants appear to have no option but to approach the courts for redress.

Although none had reportedly done so as of press time, discontent has continued to grow among party members and supporters.

For instance, party stalwarts in Kogi West Senatorial District have petitioned the national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, alleging the illegal substitution of the senatorial primary winner, Samuel Aro, with Senator Sunday Karimi.

The petition, signed on behalf of the Kogi West zonal chairman, Emmanuel Aledare; the APC Deputy State Chairman, Aliyu Salihu; and the State Youth Leader, Buhari Lokoja, described the reported replacement as illegal and capable of undermining party unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

However, to forestall court action, Morka noted that the party was activating its internal conflict-resolution mechanism to address the concerns of aggrieved aspirants.

“The party’s internal conflict resolution mechanism is being deployed, and we are making tremendous progress,” he stated.

Morka reiterated the party’s position this week during an interview on ARISE NEWS, where he admitted that some aspirants were dissatisfied with the outcome of the primaries but said the party was working to assuage their grievances.

“When they don’t win, naturally, some people definitely have a reason to be dissatisfied. And this is why we took our time to go through these appeal processes to make sure that there was no case we didn’t give the time of day to review thoroughly,” he said.

Morka further disclosed that the party had begun engaging aggrieved aspirants to reassure them that the process was transparent and not driven by personal interests.

“What we say to them is that not everyone can be a flag bearer. Our engagements are already underway to reach individuals like this, to reassure them that this is not personal. Nothing has been done arbitrarily. Nobody has just been favoured with tickets,” he added.

While the party has not issued an open statement calling on those affected not to initiate court cases, there are indications that it is appealing to them in the background.

A prominent APC chieftain, who does not want to be mentioned, told LEADERSHIP Weekend: “Of course, the party is reaching out to some of those affected through our leaders in their states. We want them to see reasons they should not take the option of litigation, which will not be healthy at this critical stage, as we have to unite ahead of the 2027 general election.”

Another party stalwart, who also pleaded anonymity, said that, as the ruling party, the APC was considering placating the aggrieved aspirants with appointments in government or by including them in the 2027 election campaigns.

“The party is not just telling them to forget everything. The party controls the central government and the majority of the states. Those who are affected could be compensated with appointments into government establishments and campaign councils,” the APC kingpin noted.

Two APC chieftains in Oyo State, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin and Prof. Taoreed Adedoja, assured members that “no aggrieved aspirant would be left behind in the ongoing reconciliation efforts.”

The duo, while delivering their acceptance speeches as chairman and co-chairman of the Oyo APC Reconciliation Committee in Ibadan, lauded the Moses Adeyemo-led State Executive Committee for the initiative, describing it as a step in the right direction.

Adeyemo urged committee members to deploy their goodwill, wisdom and wealth of experience to resolve grievances arising from the party’s recent congresses and primaries, ensuring the APC approaches the forthcoming elections as a united and formidable political family.

“We are not oblivious of the fact that the outcome of the last congresses, which produced executive committee members for the party at all levels, as well as the recent primaries which produced candidates for the 2027 elections, left in their wake some grievances among certain members and stakeholders, but we do not want this to snowball into an intractable crisis capable of undermining our chances at the polls.

“On our part, we are ready to dialogue with the aggrieved members and see what we can do to assuage their feelings.

“It is understood that agitations are loud because the APC remains the party to beat in any election in the country, but we do not want to take anything for granted at this moment since we have our eyes on delivering one million votes to President Bola Tinubu and also returning to the Agodi Government House next year,” Adeyemo said.

EXPLAINER

1. Why APC Is Reconciling

The APC has intensified reconciliation efforts after replacing 26 candidates, hoping to calm tensions and prevent internal disputes from escalating before the 2027 general election.

2. What Triggered The Crisis

The controversy followed the party’s review of over 700 petitions from dissatisfied aspirants, leading to the substitution of several candidates across Senate and House of Representatives contests.

3. Fear Of Court Battles

 The party is concerned that litigation by aggrieved aspirants could prolong internal crises, distract its leadership and undermine preparations for the 2027 elections.

4. How APC Is Responding

Rather than encouraging public confrontation, APC leaders are relying on internal conflict-resolution mechanisms, consultations, and reconciliation efforts to persuade dissatisfied members to remain loyal.

5. What Is At Stake

The ruling party believes maintaining unity is critical to protecting its electoral strength, avoiding prolonged legal distractions and presenting a cohesive front ahead of the 2027 general election.