The All Progressives Congress has unveiled 25 governorship candidates across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections, but the exercise has already exposed fresh cracks within the ruling party as governorship primaries in Kwara and Bauchi states were suddenly postponed amid rising tensions and political intrigues. The development has triggered intense reactions within APC circles, with party loyalists, aspirants and stakeholders expressing concerns over alleged attempts by powerful interests to influence the outcome of the primaries in the affected states.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, confirmed in a statement that the National Working Committee approved the postponement of the governorship primaries in Kwara and Bauchi to Friday, May 22, 2026, after consultations with stakeholders. The party also shifted the State House of Assembly primaries for Maradun I and Maradun II constituencies in Zamfara State to Sunday, May 24, insisting that the decision was taken to ensure a transparent, peaceful and credible process.
Despite the postponements, the ruling party successfully produced governorship candidates in 25 states, including Lagos, Kano, Oyo, Benue, Sokoto, Gombe, Yobe, Niger, Borno, Ebonyi, Abia, Jigawa, Taraba, Plateau, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa and Zamfara. The emergence of candidates in these strategic states is seen as a major step in the APC’s preparations for the 2027 elections as the party seeks to maintain dominance across the country and consolidate its political structures ahead of the national contest. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
However, the delay in Kwara and Bauchi has overshadowed what was expected to be a smooth unveiling process. In Kwara State especially, the postponement reportedly followed fierce political maneuvering over Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s preferred successor. Sources within the party indicated that intense negotiations were ongoing behind closed doors as competing factions struggled for control of the APC structure in the state. Supporters of some aspirants accused influential party figures of attempting to impose candidates, a situation that heightened fears of internal rebellion if the process is not carefully managed.
Political observers believe the unfolding drama in Kwara reflects the deeper succession battle currently threatening the unity of the APC in several states. Since the beginning of the primary season, allegations of favoritism, consensus arrangements and backdoor negotiations have continued to generate controversy within the ruling party. Analysts warn that unresolved grievances from the primaries could weaken the APC ahead of the general elections if aggrieved aspirants decide to defect or work against the party from within.
In Bauchi State, the postponement also sparked uncertainty among party members and supporters who had gathered in anticipation of the exercise. Although the APC leadership maintained that the delay was purely administrative and intended to ensure orderliness, many party faithful questioned why the exercise could not proceed alongside primaries in other states. The development fueled speculations about disagreements among stakeholders and fears of possible disputes over delegate lists and candidate selection.
The governorship primaries are coming at a politically sensitive period for the APC as opposition parties continue to intensify efforts to challenge the ruling party’s dominance ahead of 2027. Several states are already witnessing shifting alliances, defections and renewed political calculations. In Kano, for instance, a lawmaker recently dumped the APC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress after losing his return ticket, highlighting growing dissatisfaction among some party members over the conduct of the primaries.
Meanwhile, states with off-cycle governorship elections such as Kogi, Edo, Bayelsa, Anambra, Imo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo did not participate in the current governorship primary process. The APC is expected to focus on those states at different stages in line with their electoral calendars as preparations for future contests continue.
The unveiling of the 25 governorship candidates is nevertheless being celebrated by APC leaders as evidence of the party’s growing strength nationwide. Party insiders insist the APC remains united despite isolated disagreements and that ongoing consultations would help resolve disputes in states where tensions remain high. However, political analysts argue that how the APC handles the fallout from the delayed primaries in Kwara and Bauchi may ultimately determine whether the party enters the 2027 elections as a united political force or a deeply divided platform battling internal distrust.
