According to a report by PUNCH on Monday 31 August 2026, the release of the 2027 governorship candidates’ list by the Independent National Electoral Commission has renewed internal tensions within the All Progressives Congress as several states struggle with post-primary disputes.
INEC recently published the candidates and their running mates in Form EC9, confirming those presented by political parties for next year’s elections; However, the publication has highlighted unresolved grievances among APC aspirants who rejected the outcomes of the party’s May primaries.
The party has responded by intensifying reconciliation efforts; APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said reconciliation committees had been established to engage aggrieved members and prevent internal disagreements from weakening the party ahead of the elections.
Several states remain affected. In Yobe, Mustapha Maihaja is challenging the APC governorship primary in court, alleging irregularities; In Nasarawa, former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu has defected to the SDP, while another aspirant, Prof. Mohammed Haruna, rejected the primary outcome.
Benue is facing disputes over candidate substitutions, while Adamawa has recorded allegations of candidate imposition and defections; Similar disagreements have emerged in Kebbi, Sokoto, Kwara, Imo and Ebonyi.
In Kwara, the APC is battling the fallout from its governorship primary and the defection of Senator Saliu Mustapha to the PDP; In Imo, Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and former Governor Rochas Okorocha are challenging senatorial tickets in court.
Ebonyi is also dealing with a dispute over the Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency, while Bayelsa and Edo appear relatively calmer despite some internal tensions.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the APC faces the challenge of reconciling aggrieved members, preventing further defections and presenting a united front against opposition parties.
COURTESY: INITIATIVESTV
