The All Progressives Congress (APC) recently concluded a contentious series of primary elections across Nigeria, encompassing governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and State Assembly contests, all leading up to the 2027 general elections. This period was characterized by intense political maneuvering, internal tensions, and a mix of triumphant victories and unexpected defeats for aspirants. The initial schedule for these primaries saw some adjustments, particularly for the House of Representatives elections, due to internal disagreements regarding the preferred method of conducting the exercise.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, participating in the APC presidential primary at his Ikoyi-Obalende Ward L2 in Lagos, lauded the nationwide primaries as a robust demonstration of internal democracy. He underscored the importance of grassroots participation and transparent processes, expressing satisfaction with the conduct across various states, from ward to local government levels. However, this positive assessment contrasted sharply with widespread reports of irregularities, manipulations, and alleged attempts to disenfranchise certain aspirants. To address these grievances, the party established a Governorship Primary Appeal Committee in each of the 28 states where gubernatorial elections were held, tasked with hearing and resolving complaints or forwarding them to the national secretariat.

A notable and often painful subplot of these primaries involved members of President Tinubu’s cabinet who resigned to pursue elective offices, adhering to a presidential directive. This decision proved to be a high-stakes gamble for many, as only two out of five prominent former ministers—Nkeiruka Onyejeocha (Abia) and Yusuf Sununu (Kebbi)—successfully secured APC tickets. The others faced significant setbacks and political uncertainty. Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power, suffered a crushing defeat in the Oyo State governorship primary to Senator Sarafadeen Alli, a loss he attributed to widespread irregularities, despite earlier claims of presidential encouragement. Saidu Alkali, the former Transportation Minister, also lost the Gombe governorship primary to Jamilu Gwamna, boycotting the process due to alleged lack of fairness. Similarly, Yusuf Tuggar, former Foreign Affairs Minister, lost the Bauchi governorship ticket to former Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar, securing 26,001 votes against Abubakar's 57,517.

Across various states, the governorship primaries yielded diverse outcomes. In Borno State, Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum presented Engr. Mustapha Gubio, the party's sole endorsed gubernatorial candidate, to President Tinubu. Kwara State saw Salihu Yakubu Danladi, the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, emerge victorious in the governorship primary with 94,990 votes, defeating 14 other aspirants. This followed a period of political tension fueled by reports of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's alleged preference for Ambassador Yahaya Seriki, leading to a temporary suspension of the primary. In Adamawa, Ahmad Tijjani Galadima, former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Trust Department Fund (PTDF), won the governorship primary with 414,444 votes. Taraba State's incumbent Governor Agbu Kefas secured the APC governorship candidacy with a total of 166,357 votes, though his win was marred by allegations of irregularities from the campaign organization of former Minister Muazu Sambo Jaji. In Kano, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, alongside Senators Barau Jibrin and Kawu Sumaila, secured their tickets through consensus arrangements after defecting to the APC. Other notable winners via consensus included Alhassan Ado Doguwa, Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe, and Abdulmumin Jibrin, while Farouk Lawan and Hafizu Kawu were among the prominent losers. Baba Malam Wali, a former Secretary to the Yobe State Government (SSG), emerged as the governorship candidate in Yobe through a consensus arrangement, a victory seen as reinforcing the call for a power shift to the Yobe North senatorial district. Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia achieved a landslide victory in the governorship primary, polling 367,786 votes. In Nasarawa, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Ahmed Wadada won the gubernatorial primary with 195,285 votes, reportedly enjoying the backing of Governor Abdullahi Sule. Jamilu Gwamna became the governorship candidate for Gombe, and Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom secured his governorship ticket unopposed as a consensus candidate.

The senatorial primaries also produced significant upsets and returns. In Benue State, former Governor Gabriel Suswam made a strong political comeback by defeating incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende in the Benue North East (Zone A) senatorial primary. In Benue North West (Zone B), incumbent Senator Titus Zam suffered a crushing defeat to Teseer Benjamin Aber. Dr. Francis Agbo emerged victorious for Benue South. Gombe saw Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje lose his bid for a fifth term in the Senate to DCP Mohammed Ahmed (Rtd). In Yobe, former Senate President Ahmed Lawan secured his ticket for a sixth term in the National Assembly, having served since 1999. Kebbi State witnessed both sitting Senator Musa Maidoki and immediate past Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah lose their bids to Jafar Muhammad Gajere. For Kogi State, former Governor Yahaya Bello won the ticket for Kogi Central, Sunday Karimi secured Kogi West, and Joseph Erico defeated incumbent Senator Jibrin Isah (Echocho) for Kogi East, with Echocho subsequently petitioning the party's national working committee over alleged irregularities. In Akwa Ibom, Senate President Godswill Akpabio secured a return ticket for a third term, alongside Senators Aniekan Bassey and Ekong Sampson who also won as unopposed consensus candidates. Cross River's Senator Eteng Jonas Williams lost to Oden Ewa, while Senators Jarigbe Jarigbe and Asuquo Ekpenyong secured their tickets. Ekiti State saw Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Fasuyi Cyril, and Senator Yemi Adaramodu win their respective tickets. In Bauchi, Yakubu Abdullahi emerged as the senatorial candidate for the Southern district.

At the House of Representatives level, notable outcomes included Muhammad Daha Umar Faruk, son of the Emir of Daura, securing the Baure/Zango Federal Constituency ticket via a consensus arrangement in Katsina. Yusuf Buhari, son of former Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari, won the Daura/Sandamu/Mai’adua Federal Constituency through a direct primary election. In Benue, six incumbent House of Representatives members lost their tickets, while Regina Akume, wife of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), and Blessing Onuh, daughter of former Senate President David Mark, secured victories. In Yobe, former Minister Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim, the longest-serving House of Representatives member from the state, lost her bid to Nasiru Hassan Yusuf. Most incumbent House of Representatives members in Kano secured their return tickets through consensus. Ekiti State saw three House of Representatives members lose their primaries, including former Deputy Speaker Jamiu Hakeem Ayodeji, who was defeated by Boluwaji Fayose, son of former Governor Ayo Fayose. Several first-time and incumbent House members in Cross River also lost their tickets.

For the presidential primary, the APC opted for a direct primary mode of election after failing to reach a consensus for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the sole candidate. Business tycoon Stanley Osifo also obtained the presidential form to contest. President Tinubu participated in his ward primary in Lagos, where he secured an overwhelming 4,996 votes against Osifo's zero, thereby winning his ward primary. Pius Anyim, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, was named chairman of the presidential primary election committee.

In conclusion, the APC primaries demonstrated the complex and often unpredictable nature of internal party democracy. While President Tinubu celebrated the process as a testament to transparency and grassroots participation, the widespread complaints, significant upsets, and the political struggles of several cabinet members and long-serving legislators underscored deep-seated internal divisions. The party now faces the critical task of fostering unity and addressing the grievances of dissatisfied aspirants to ensure cohesion as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.