APC battles widening cracks over candidate selection ahead of 2027

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is grappling with internal strife ahead of the 2027 elections, as disputes over candidate selection and allegations of manipulation fuel defections and protests across key states. In Katsina State, House of Representatives member Abubakar Yahaya Kusada condemned the party’s consensus process, calling it biased after his colleague, Sani Lawal, defected following a failed bid for a consensus ticket. Lawal’s departure follows that of Shehu Tafoki, another lawmaker who switched to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over similar grievances. Kusada warned that further defections could weaken APC’s electoral prospects unless the process is reformed. Aggrieved APC members in Katsina have expressed dissatisfaction with the consensus arrangement, with some threatening to defect if their concerns are ignored. Kusada, who was replaced by Mustapha Kanti Bello—a son of late Senator Kanti Bello—urged the party to address perceived favoritism toward well-connected candidates. Meanwhile, APC members in Ogun State’s Abeokuta South Local Government protested the denial of membership cards, accusing leaders of blocking registration to disenfranchise them ahead of primaries. Protesters also alleged plans to impose candidates, escalating tensions as the party prepares for 2027 contests. In Oyo State, the APC chapter signaled a shift from consensus to direct primaries, while National Chairman Abdullahi Aliyu ruled out excluding any aspirant from party elections. The chairman also cautioned against violence, emphasizing unity ahead of the upcoming polls. The unrest reflects broader instability within APC, with states like Katsina and Ogun experiencing defections and protests over perceived manipulation. The party’s ability to maintain cohesion will be critical in determining its performance in the 2027 elections.