By Frontline Reporters
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is battling mounting internal unrest following the outcome of its governorship, National Assembly and state House of Assembly primaries, with fears of defections, legal battles and anti-party activities threatening party cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Investigations by Frontline Reporters revealed that while some aggrieved aspirants have already abandoned the party, many others are weighing their political options, including possible defections to rival platforms where they believe their ambitions stand a better chance.
Across several states, including Lagos, Delta, Zamfara, Kogi, Plateau and Osun, dissatisfied party members have rejected primary results, filed petitions and threatened legal action, raising concerns that the post-primary crisis could weaken the APC’s electoral fortunes.
54 Federal Lawmakers Lose Return Tickets
No fewer than 54 serving lawmakers, including ranking senators and members of the House of Representatives, failed to secure APC tickets during the National Assembly primaries held between May 16 and 18.
The exercises were marked by intense contests, disqualifications and allegations of manipulation by party officials.
Among senators who lost their bids were former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, Ned Nwoko, Gbenga Daniel, Danjuma Goje, Neda Imasuen, Diket Plang, Osita Izunaso, Emmanuel Udende, Titus Zam, Olubiyi Fadeyi, Saliu Mustapha and Isa Jibrin.
The party also disqualified Ipalibo Banigo, Garba Maidoki and Benson Agadaga from participating in the primaries.
In the House of Representatives, prominent casualties included Majority Leader Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, Nicholas Mutu, Mike Etaba, Eseosa Iyawe, Deputy Chief Whip Ibrahim Isiaka, Ismail Kayode, David Zachariya, Tijani Ozigi and Mansur Musa Jega.
Defections Signal Growing Discontent
The fallout from the primaries has already triggered a wave of defections and political realignments.
Former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege dumped the APC for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), while Senator Anthony Yaro defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after losing his return ticket.
Omo-Agege and former Delta State House of Assembly Speaker Victor Ochei have since secured waivers from the NDC to contest senatorial seats in Delta State.
Other notable exits include former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami, who joined the PDP after failing to clinch the APC governorship ticket in Gombe State, and former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu, who resigned following an unsuccessful governorship bid in Nasarawa State.
More Defections Loom
Party insiders told Frontline Reporters that several aggrieved politicians are consulting with supporters and political associates as they consider their next move.
A member of the House of Representatives from Ekiti State, Kolawole Akinlayo, described the primaries as fundamentally flawed.
“There was no election; results were simply written in Government House,” he alleged, adding that stakeholders were awaiting the outcome of internal review processes.
Lagos APC Crisis Deepens
In Lagos State, the primaries have further exposed cracks within the ruling party.
A senior APC leader, speaking anonymously, described the exercise as “madness” and cited the intervention of President Bola Tinubu’s daughter and Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, who reportedly expressed concerns over alleged manipulation of some results.
“Iyaloja is a significant political figure with enormous grassroots influence. Her concerns cannot simply be ignored,” the party chieftain said.
Another aspirant warned that unresolved disputes could worsen divisions within the Lagos APC.
“What we are witnessing is evidence of growing cracks within the progressive family in Lagos. Candidates who clearly won are seeing their victories questioned. That is dangerous for party unity,” he said.
The source linked the current tensions to the APC’s disappointing performance in Lagos during the 2023 presidential election.
“Many APC members felt alienated and frustrated. Those internal grievances contributed significantly to the opposition’s success in Lagos,” he added.
He further cautioned that unresolved bitterness among party members could have serious consequences in 2027.
“Those who leave the party may be a concern, but those who remain bitter within the party can be even more damaging. If caution is not applied, history could repeat itself.”
Meanwhile, members of the Alimosho Synergy Group have rejected the published primary results, insisting they do not reflect the actual votes cast.
The group’s coordinator, Idowu Martins, urged members to await the authentic results from the APC National Headquarters in Abuja.
Petitions and Court Cases Multiply
The APC is also facing a growing number of petitions and legal challenges across the country.
In Delta State, Senator Ned Nwoko rejected the outcome of the Delta North senatorial primary won by former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, describing the process as fraudulent and insisting he possesses evidence that he won the contest.
In Zamfara State, former governorship aspirant Dr. Sani Shinkafi has approached the Federal High Court in Gusau to challenge the emergence of Senator Sahabi Ya’u as the consensus candidate for Zamfara North Senatorial District.
According to Shinkafi, no valid consensus arrangement existed and he never consented to withdraw from the race.
Kogi, Plateau and Benue Aspirants Protest
In Kogi State, APC senatorial aspirant and party secretary in the United Kingdom, Momoh Obaro, petitioned the party’s appeal committee over alleged irregularities, violence and the participation of an unqualified candidate.
In Plateau State, at least 10 National Assembly aspirants stormed the APC secretariat in Jos to submit petitions challenging the conduct of the primaries.
Similarly, in Benue State, House of Representatives member Terseer Ugbor rejected the primary results in his constituency, claiming they did not reflect the votes cast. However, he ruled out leaving the APC.
“I have submitted my petition against the declaration of fake results. Whatever the party decides, I will remain committed and work for its success,” he said.
APC Dismisses Defection Threats
Efforts to obtain comments from APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka were unsuccessful.
However, the APC Chairman in Kwara State, Sunday Fagbemi, dismissed threats of defection by aggrieved aspirants, describing them as “empty threats.”
According to him, politics should be approached with a spirit of sportsmanship, noting that victory and defeat are inevitable aspects of democratic contests.
“When there are primaries, some people win and others lose. Nobody can win every contest,” he said.
Fagbemi urged dissatisfied members to explore the party’s internal conflict-resolution mechanisms rather than abandon the platform.
He also took a swipe at opposition parties, arguing that they remain plagued by internal divisions and organisational challenges.
“As far as I am concerned, there are two political forces in the country — the APC and every other party. The others are struggling with disunity and poor organisation,” he stated.
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