Transparency and Intelligence Watch, an advocacy group, has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against alleged moves by some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to tamper with the outcome of the party’s recent direct primaries.
The group specifically urged the President to resist pressure to reinstate 54 serving National Assembly members who failed to secure tickets during the primaries held nationwide last month.
It warned that any attempt to override the will of party members could have far-reaching political consequences ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The position of the group was made known on Monday, June 1, 2026, during a press conference held at Polak Hotels in Ondo, addressed by its President, Barrister Joel Adelakin, and Secretary, Princess Margaret Ikechukwu.
Recall that 54 serving members of the National Assembly including those that defected to the ruling party did not scale through the recent direct primaries held across the country.
Adelakin described those allegedly advising the President to reverse the outcome as “political enemies,” stressing that the primaries reflected the grassroots’ preferences.
According to him, “all elections are local,” and the choices made by party members at the primaries must be respected to sustain the APC’s credibility.
He warned that imposing candidates who were rejected at the primaries could weaken the party’s electoral strength and hand undue advantage to opposition parties in 2027. The group further claimed that such a move could provoke protest votes against the President during the general elections.
The advocacy body also alleged growing discontent among APC stakeholders, including governors in the South-West, over what it described as attempts to undermine the democratic process within the party.
It added that even key figures within the Presidency were reportedly uneasy about the situation.
Citing examples from several states, including Lagos, Ondo, Benue, Ekiti, Delta and Borno, the group insisted that replacing duly elected candidates with unsuccessful incumbents would trigger political backlash.
It maintained that party faithful who participated in the primaries would resist any imposition.
He went on, “In Benue state, only four Reps members who have continued to visit Benue State and identifying with the people of the State by preaching the gospel of President Bola Tinubu and his administration despite the security challenges in the state were genuinely returned while others who have failed to come home under the excuse that President Tinubu hasn’t been giving them personal security and funds for Constituency projects were voted out at the direct primaries.
“Imagine, Rt. Hon. Regina Akume who is close eighty years has been visiting Gboko/Tarka every fortnight to identify with her subjects. The same thing applies to Rt. Hon. Solomon Wombo who despite the heavy insecurity in Sankera would still visit all the local governments under his territory every two weeks just to identify with them. The same thing for Blessing Onuh and Ojotu Ojema of Ohinmi/Otukpo and Apa/Agatu federal Constituencies.
They have always been connected with their people, and their performances made the voters to return them at the last direct primaries.
“Still on Benue, the likes of Senator Titus Zam and Emmanuel Udende weren’t not returned by voters who voted them out at the direct primaries as a result of their disconnection with their constituents and poor representation. How does anyone think that they won’t affect Tinubu with their fate if at last they are forced on the party as candidates?
“In case of House of Representatives in Benue, apart from Philip Agbese who ran to Labour Party immediately he was aware that he wouldn’t be returned as a result of his massive failure, Sekav Iortyom, Sesoo Gboko and Terser Ugbor, Dickson Tarkigir weren’t rejected by voters at the direct primaries because they have failed their constituents.
“Their people have always complained that they don’t come home. They prefer to stay in Abuja and claim that it’s all President Bola Tinubu’s fault by not giving them personal security and funds for Constituency projects. If these fellows are imposed on the party, our survey shows that President Tinubu will lose the election in Benue.
Similarly, it pointed to tensions in Ogun State, alleging that local resistance could arise if preferred candidates are substituted. In Ondo State, the group called on the President to allow the declared winners, including Dr. Taiwo Fasoranti, to stand, insisting that the integrity of the process must be preserved.
The group concluded by urging Tinubu to uphold internal democracy within the APC, warning that any deviation from the people’s mandate could erode public trust and jeopardise the party’s chances in future elections.
SEE Full Details ➜