Opposition is mounting within the All Progressives Congress (APC) as increasing numbers of aspirants and stakeholders across several states have rejected the party’s proposed consensus mode of primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.

What was initially presented by party leaders as a unifying mechanism to reduce internal contestation is now facing widespread resistance, with multiple aspirants insisting that only open, competitive primaries can guarantee fairness and compliance with the Electoral Act, 2026.

The growing pushback suggests that the APC may ultimately be forced to conduct full direct primaries in several states, including Yobe, Benue, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Gombe, Kwara, Oyo, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano, Bauchi and others, where consensus arrangements have been announced or are being considered.

The Electoral Act, 2026, which provides the legal framework for the 2027 general elections, allows political parties to adopt either consensus or direct primaries.

However, Section 87 of the Act clearly sets strict conditions for consensus arrangements, stating that all cleared aspirants must give written consent indicating voluntary withdrawal from the race and endorsement of a single candidate. Where such consent is not obtained, parties are required to revert to direct primaries.

As the APC concludes the sale and submission of nomination forms, it is becoming increasingly evident that consensus arrangements are struggling to hold, even in states where influential party leaders have attempted to impose them.

Yobe State: Consensus Faces Open Rejection

In Yobe State, the APC leadership under Governor Mai Mala Buni had adopted a consensus arrangement, reportedly endorsing former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Wali, as the party’s governorship candidate.

The endorsement was made at a meeting in Abuja attended by Governor Buni, the Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam, and other critical stakeholders.

However, the arrangement has been strongly opposed by other aspirants, including Kashim Musa Tumsah, former Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba, and Senator Ibrahim Bomai, all of whom have purchased and submitted nomination forms.

Tumsah argued that consensus must strictly comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, warning against elite-driven selection processes.

He stated that consensus “does not mean one or two people sitting in a room selecting whoever they want as the party’s candidate.”

Similarly, former Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba rejected any suggestion that he had agreed to step down or endorse a consensus arrangement.

“If I believed in any consensus, I wouldn’t be here. I have not attended any consensus meeting, nor have I agreed to support anyone,” he said.

The development has effectively thrown the Yobe APC governorship race open, with indications that the party may be forced into direct primaries.

Nasarawa State: Parallel Aspirations Emerge

In Nasarawa State, Senator Aliyu Wadada has reportedly emerged as the preferred consensus candidate of Governor Abdullahi Sule.

However, the arrangement is facing significant opposition from other aspirants, including former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu and Dr Fatima Abdullahi.

Adamu, through the Director General of his campaign organisation, rejected the consensus arrangement outright, insisting on a competitive process.

He said: “We are not considering the issue of consensus because we are in this contest to win the forthcoming governorship primary election of the APC and the 2027 governorship election.”

Dr Fatima Abdullahi also expressed a strong preference for direct primaries, arguing that the current political reality in the state makes consensus impractical.

“We will be comfortable with the direct primaries, which is what my state is adopting, because as you can see, we have over six aspirants currently in the state that have bought and some have submitted their forms. So automatically we are going for direct primaries,” she said.

Benue State: Resistance to Political Mediation

In Benue State, efforts by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, to encourage a consensus arrangement involving Governor Hyacinth Alia and other political office holders have also generated controversy.

The move is being resisted by other aspirants, including Dr Mathias Byuan and Dr Jeffrey Kuraun, who remain in the race for the APC governorship ticket.

Byuan dismissed the consensus arrangement, arguing that it does not reflect democratic principles.

He said: “This is the wish of the leader of the party who wants to reconcile people. But the Electoral Act says something different.

“We have to go to the field. I bought a form, and the governor and I will test the grounds. If he is popular, let him win. If I’m popular, I will win, and that is what we asked of the party, and Mr President has said people should go and test their popularity.”

His remarks underscore growing concerns that internal party negotiations may undermine grassroots participation.

Adamawa State: Preference for Open Contest

In Adamawa State, governorship aspirants are also resisting consensus arrangements in favour of direct primaries.

Former House of Representatives spokesperson, Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, said while consensus may be considered, it should not replace democratic competition.

“Our leaders will give us the opportunity to contest. If we are called for consensus, that does not mean we will not participate in the process. If we agree among ourselves, fine. If we do not agree, we go for a contest,” he said.

Another aspirant, Dr Bakari Girei, also expressed discomfort with consensus arrangements, warning that such moves could amount to imposition if not carefully managed.

Gombe State: Legal and Political Disputes

In Gombe State, Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje rejected the consensus arrangement adopted by the APC state chapter.

The rejection was contained in a statement issued by his aide, Saidu Muazu Kumo, which noted that the process was not inclusive.

Goje, a former two-term governor of the state, stated that the alleged consensus meeting involved only the State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, and a limited number of aspirants, excluding others who are duly recognised within the party.

Similarly, Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali described the emergence of Jamilu Ishiyaku Gwamna as the consensus candidate as “undemocratic, arbitrary, and inconsistent” with the Electoral Act, 2026.

He argued that Sections 84(1) and 87(1) of the Act require transparent primaries and written consent of all aspirants before any consensus arrangement can be valid.

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Pantami, and former Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, have also vowed to challenge the process.

Bauchi State: Demand for Credible Candidates

In Bauchi State, governorship aspirants, including former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, have expressed preference for a fair and credible process.

Tuggar said he is open to either consensus or direct primaries, provided the process remains transparent and democratic.

“I hope that the process will be free and fair. And I hope, regardless of what the party chooses, whether direct or consensus, as long as the process is free and fair,” he said.

He added that the ultimate goal is to ensure that credible candidates emerge.

“It is to ensure that we put forward people with credibility as candidates, people who command respect and genuine followership,” he said.

Kwara State: Aspirants Oppose Alleged Imposition

In Kwara State, several aspirants have reportedly ignored attempts to impose a consensus candidate by purchasing nomination forms.

Among them are Senator Saliu Mustapha, Senator representing Kwara Central, Prof Wale Sulaiman, and Senator Umar Suleiman Sadiq.

The aspirants are insisting on participating in open primaries rather than accepting any pre-arranged consensus.

Zamfara State: Partial Consensus, Strong Resistance

In Zamfara State, the APC has adopted a consensus arrangement for some positions, including the governorship, where Governor Dauda Lawal is reportedly the sole candidate.

However, resistance persists in other contests, particularly the Zamfara North Senatorial District.

Aspirants, including former Governor Mahmuda Shinkafi, Senator Sahabi Ya’u, APC stalwart Dr Sani Shinkafi, and former Minister Tijjani Yahaya, have all entered the race.

Shinkafi said he rejects any arrangement that denies aspirants a fair contest.

He stated: “We have all agreed to allow Governor Dauda Lawal to stand as the only governorship candidate of our great party, the APC, but apart from him, all positions must be contested for.”

Dr Sani Shinkafi also rejected consensus arrangements, insisting on direct primaries.

He said, “As far as I am concerned, I am not ready for consensus. I am not ready to step down. I want to exercise my right as provided by the Electoral Act. Therefore, we must go for direct primaries. Whoever wins carries the day.”

He further described the current arrangement as unjust, adding that political exclusion could destabilise party unity.

Kano State: Youth Resistance Emerges

In Kano State, several stakeholders, including youth groups, have rejected consensus arrangements in some constituencies.

A group known as the Coalition for Better Kano also opposed reported plans to allocate the KanoCentral Senatorial ticket to former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau.

Oyo State: Growing Political Tension

In Oyo State, tension continues to rise among APC governorship aspirants despite ongoing talks on a possible consensus arrangement.

Many aspirants have already purchased nomination forms, including Senator Sharafadeen Alli, Adebayo Adelabu, Akeem Agbaje, Dr Ayo Adesina, Ayodele Alao, Prince Kola Asanike, Muyiwa Gbadegesin, Rauf Olaniyan and Dr Moshood Abiola.

Senator Sharafadeen Alli is said to enjoy strong support within the party structure, particularly across Ibadan and Ibarapa political blocs.

However, other aspirants insist on direct primaries, arguing that consensus should not be used to sideline competition.

Sokoto State: Divided Front

In Sokoto State, divisions have emerged following the party’s adoption of consensus arrangements ahead of the 2027 elections.

The APC is reportedly backing consensus candidates for key positions, including Governor Ahmed Aliyu and Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

However, indications suggest that direct primaries may still be used for legislative seats in the State House of Assembly and the National Assembly.

APC Leadership Defends Consensus

Despite growing opposition, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele defended the consensus provision in the Electoral Act, dismissing concerns about imposition.

He said the system is designed to prevent “under-the-table” arrangements and ensure transparency.

“The law is rigid; even a single dissenting voice can nullify a consensus agreement and trigger a full direct primary. In any case, there will always be primaries,” he said.

He added that even consensus candidates must still pass through ward-level endorsement.

“There’s nothing that can be done under the table, whether you are doing direct primaries or consensus,” he said.

Presidential Ticket: Direct Primaries Confirmed

Meanwhile, the APC National Working Committee has adopted direct primaries to select its presidential candidate.

The APC national secretary, Dr Ajibola Basiru, confirmed that any aspirant, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will be free to contest the presidential ticket.

1. Resistance Spreads

APC aspirants across several states are rejecting consensus primaries, insisting competitive contests remain the fairest democratic path for candidates nationwide.

2. Electoral Act Conditions

The Electoral Act, 2026, requires written consent from all aspirants before consensus arrangements within political parties become legally valid.

3. Yobe and Nasarawa Disputes

In Yobe and Nasarawa, major aspirants rejected imposed candidates, insisting they never agreed to withdraw from races voluntarily.

4. Benue, Gombe Tensions

Benue and Gombe aspirants described consensus arrangements as undemocratic, warning that exclusionary processes could weaken party unity before elections nationwide.

5. Direct Primaries Likely

Growing resistance may force APC leadership to conduct direct primaries across several states despite continued defence of consensus arrangements nationwide.