Fresh concerns have emerged within the ruling All Progressives Congress following the conclusion of the party’s State and National Assembly primaries, as the North-Central APC Forum claimed that a large number of members are dissatisfied with the exercise.
The Forum alleged that more than half of APC members across the country are unhappy with how the primaries were conducted. It said the process was plagued by irregularities, confusion, and allegations of manipulation in several states.
In a statement issued by the Forum’s Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, the group said recent events had confirmed earlier warnings it raised before the primaries began.
According to the Forum, complaints have continued to pour in from aspirants and party stakeholders who participated in the exercise. It said many members believe the process was influenced by money and personal interests rather than fairness and internal democracy.
The group accused some national officers of the APC of allegedly commercialising the primaries. It claimed that several aspirants who failed to meet certain demands from party power brokers were either screened out or denied a fair process.
The statement further alleged that the composition of primary election committees in many states was based on loyalty and personal relationships instead of competence. According to the Forum, this contributed to conflicting results and disputes recorded in some constituencies and senatorial districts.
It noted that in several locations, aggrieved aspirants rejected the outcome of the primaries and threatened legal action against the party.
“From what we have gathered, 50 percent of party members across the country are not happy with the conduct of the APC primary elections. They are not happy with the national chairman,” the statement read.
The Forum said the development could deepen internal cracks within the party if urgent steps are not taken by the national leadership.
It warned that unresolved grievances from the primaries may affect the unity of the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections. The group urged party leaders to immediately intervene and address complaints raised by members across the country.
The Forum also reminded party officials of the directive by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that party primaries should be transparent, peaceful, and credible.
It stressed that failure to manage the growing tension within the party could trigger avoidable crises in the coming months.
The North-Central APC Forum had earlier raised concerns before the primaries commenced, alleging that some party officials were demanding money from aspirants seeking tickets. The group linked the alleged development to changes made to the timetable for the House of Representatives primaries.