BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS
Petitions, protests, legal threats and accusations of candidate imposition have continued to trail the screening of aspirants by the ruling All Progressives Congress across several states ahead of the 2027 general elections, exposing growing divisions within the party over consensus arrangements and widespread disqualifications.
Investigations by Frontline Reporters revealed that aggrieved aspirants in states including Taraba, Kano, Jigawa, Anambra, Benue, Kogi, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Rivers and Plateau are mobilising petitions and considering legal action over the outcome of the screening exercises.
The screening process, which forms part of the APC’s nationwide preparations for party primaries, has generated controversy in many states, with several aspirants accusing party leaders of manipulation, procedural irregularities and attempts to impose preferred candidates without adequate consultation.
In Taraba State, the endorsement of some incumbent lawmakers after the screening exercise sparked outrage, especially in Taraba North Senatorial District where youth groups and stakeholders rejected the endorsement of Senator Shuaibu Isa Lau. Critics accused the lawmaker of poor performance and warned that imposing unpopular candidates could alienate voters ahead of the elections.
Party sources disclosed that some aggrieved aspirants in the state had already begun preparing petitions challenging the screening outcome, while others were considering protests and legal action if the appeal process failed to address their grievances.
In Kano State, over 20 aspirants seeking Senate, House of Representatives and State Assembly tickets were reportedly screened out despite earlier consensus arrangements. Although some aspirants later stepped down for former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau following reconciliation efforts, protests and criticisms continued to trail the process, with some stakeholders warning against sacrificing loyalty for political convenience.
Jigawa State also witnessed fresh cracks within the party after former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Isah Idris, resigned from the APC following his disqualification. Idris subsequently defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, while other prominent aspirants edged out during the exercise also expressed dissatisfaction with the process.
In Benue State, about 40 aspirants were reportedly disqualified during the screening of House of Assembly hopefuls in Makurdi, triggering complaints over alleged violations of zoning arrangements. Supporters of affected aspirants warned that the development could hurt the party’s electoral fortunes if unresolved.
Kogi State recorded protests and allegations of authoritarianism as some party members accused the leadership of selectively distributing nomination forms to preferred aspirants. Critics alleged that aspirants with strong grassroots support were deliberately sidelined, raising fears of possible defections and internal disputes.
In Anambra State, the APC expelled about 30 members, including aspirants for Senate and House of Representatives seats, over legal actions instituted against the party. Party officials maintained that the decision was in line with the party constitution and insisted that affected members could only be reconsidered if they withdrew their court cases.
The crisis also spread to Kaduna State, where controversy erupted over alleged attempts to impose consensus candidates for National Assembly positions. Some aspirants and stakeholders openly rejected the arrangement, insisting that party members should be allowed to determine candidates through transparent primaries.
In Ebonyi State, some disqualified aspirants also protested the outcome of the screening exercise. One of the affected aspirants, Chief Christian Nwali, resigned from the APC in protest after losing out in the party’s consensus arrangement.
Rivers State recorded one of the highest numbers of disqualifications, with no fewer than 65 aspirants reportedly screened out by the APC House of Assembly Screening Appeal Committee. The committee confirmed that only 33 aspirants were cleared ahead of the primaries, while several petitions challenging the process had already been received.
Chairman of the appeal panel, Dr Abdul Mahmud, disclosed that many aggrieved aspirants complained that they only discovered their disqualification through social media without formal communication from the party. He advised the APC leadership to improve communication with aspirants in future exercises.
In Plateau State, anxiety mounted as party sources disclosed that several House of Assembly aspirants were screened out ahead of the official release of results. Some aspirants reportedly accused the screening panels of irregularities and lack of transparency, while others prepared petitions challenging their exclusion.
Meanwhile, the APC in Imo State said the list of cleared House of Assembly aspirants would be released on Wednesday after the screening of 106 aspirants by the party’s screening committee.
In Abia, Gombe and Zamfara states, screening exercises were still ongoing as of Tuesday evening, although party officials acknowledged that disagreements and disputes could emerge once the final list of cleared aspirants is released.
Amid the growing tensions, reconciliation efforts are ongoing in several states as party leaders move to prevent possible defections and anti-party activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political analysts, however, warned that the increasing reliance on consensus candidacies, controversial screenings and mass disqualifications could deepen internal divisions within the APC if grievances are not properly managed before the primaries.
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