APC Defends Direct Primaries Amid Growing Internal Tensions

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, has described the party’s ongoing nationwide primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections as the “most competitive” in Nigeria’s political history.

Yilwatda made the remarks on Wednesday after meeting with Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the President’s residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, where he briefed him on the progress of the primaries across the country.

According to the APC chairman, the large number of aspirants contesting for elective offices under the party’s platform reflects the growing acceptance and influence of the ruling party nationwide.

“In simple demand and supply, we have limited positions and thousands of aspirants across the country. It shows how APC has penetrated communities across Nigeria and how many Nigerians now see the party as their first political choice,” he said.

Yilwatda commended party members and aspirants for what he described as a disciplined and largely peaceful exercise, noting that the primaries had recorded minimal complaints and fewer violent incidents compared to previous election cycles.

He revealed that President Tinubu was particularly impressed with the logistics deployed for the direct primaries and the relatively calm atmosphere surrounding the exercise.

“This is the first time we are deploying nationwide direct primaries on this scale, almost like a general election. The President is impressed with the logistics and the reduced level of conflict recorded so far,” he stated.

The APC chairman also said Tinubu had provided the National Working Committee with both moral and institutional support to ensure strict compliance with party regulations.

Addressing concerns over disagreements in some states, Yilwatda insisted that the party’s guidelines on consensus and direct primaries were clear and had been properly followed.

He explained that consensus arrangements only take effect after aspirants voluntarily sign formal agreements, adding that direct primaries are conducted wherever consensus fails.

Yilwatda acknowledged that grievances are inevitable after party primaries but said the APC had already established internal conflict resolution mechanisms to address disputes and reconcile aggrieved members ahead of the 2027 elections.

The APC primaries, which began on May 15, are expected to produce candidates for all elective offices ahead of the general elections. Governorship primaries are scheduled for Thursday, while the party’s presidential primary will hold on May 23.

The process, however, has faced criticism in some states, with complaints over delayed release of final lists of cleared aspirants and disagreements over the mode of primaries.