The All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently grappling with significant internal discord following the submission of a revised list of National Assembly candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Aggrieved party members have initiated legal challenges, while various stakeholders are calling for fresh candidate selection as the 2027 general elections approach.
Former senator Ayo Arise has taken the party to court to contest the results of the Ekiti North senatorial primary, claiming he secured a legitimate victory. Arise stated that his legal move is intended to uphold democratic standards and ensure strict adherence to electoral guidelines, noting that he was not surprised by his omission from the final list. Meanwhile, in Ondo State, community leaders in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo have demanded a replacement for their current federal constituency representative, citing a lack of development and insufficient federal presence. They have publicly backed Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi for the position.
These tensions arise as the APC leadership, through National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, submitted modifications to their candidate list across several states, including Benue, Kogi, and Kwara. These changes followed recommendations from the Primary Election Appeal Committee. APC chieftain Cletus Obun warned that substituting candidates outside of monitored primary results could jeopardize the party’s legal standing, citing past precedents in Zamfara State.
Obun also urged the party to establish a reconciliation committee to address grievances among veteran members, cautioning that unresolved internal disputes could undermine the party ahead of the 2027 election cycle. In response to these concerns, party officials characterized the situation as an internal matter currently being resolved behind closed doors.
