Ahead of Thursday’s governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress, resistance to consensus arrangements has intensified in at least 10 states, with several aspirants rejecting pressure to step down and insisting on testing their popularity at the polls.
The growing rebellion comes despite efforts by party leaders and governors to streamline the primaries through endorsements and negotiated agreements aimed at avoiding internal crises ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Findings showed that while some incumbent governors have secured smooth passage for second-term tickets, succession battles in states such as Kwara, Lagos, Oyo, Adamawa, Bauchi, Plateau, Gombe and Nasarawa remain fiercely contested.
The APC is expected to conduct governorship primaries in 28 states on Thursday, with direct primaries to be adopted where consensus arrangements fail.
In Kwara State, the battle for succession has become intense after Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq endorsed Ambassador Yahaya Seriki as his preferred successor.
Despite the endorsement, several aspirants reportedly refused to withdraw from the race, insisting that the governorship ticket should emerge through an open contest.
A party source said many aspirants believed they had invested too much politically and financially to surrender their ambitions for a consensus arrangement.
Kwara currently has one of the highest numbers of APC governorship aspirants, including former Senate Leader Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Muhammed Belgore (SAN), Salihu Mustapha and other top contenders.
In Lagos State, political alignments intensified around Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat after aspirant Samuel Ajose stepped down and declared support for him.
Former PDP governorship candidate Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, had earlier withdrawn from the race and endorsed Hamzat following consultations with party leaders.
However, businessman and politician Lanre Jim-Kamal is still reportedly in the race.
In Plateau State, retired military officer Yilcini Bida dismissed reports that he had stepped down, insisting he remained fully in the contest and was prepared to challenge Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the primaries.
Meanwhile, consensus arrangements have succeeded in some states where governors and sole aspirants have secured overwhelming support from party structures.
Among those who emerged as consensus candidates are Governors Sheriff Oborevwori, Abba Yusuf, Peter Mbah, Umar Namadi, Dikko Radda and Nasir Idris.
Party insiders said the large number of aspirants in several states reflected unresolved zoning issues, succession calculations and dissatisfaction among stakeholders over attempts to impose preferred candidates.
A source at the APC national secretariat said while consensus remained the preferred option of the leadership, resistance from aspirants could trigger fierce primaries and deepen internal divisions within the party.
