The All Progressives Congress (APC) has moved closer to completing its preparations for the 2027 general elections after resolving major disputes arising from its governorship primaries and submitting the details of 27 governorship candidates and their running mates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The ruling party, however, still has one outstanding governorship ticket to finalise, with stakeholders from a North-East state expected to meet in Abuja to settle disagreements over the choice of a deputy governorship candidate.
According to party sources, the delay is linked to the need to replace a serving deputy governor who has already exhausted the constitutionally permitted two terms in office.
The development follows weeks of internal consultations aimed at addressing grievances generated by the party’s governorship primaries in several states, including Kwara, Oyo, Adamawa and Bauchi.
Despite protests, appeals and defections that followed some of the contests, the APC leadership has now successfully uploaded the names of its candidates and their running mates, signalling the party’s intention to close ranks ahead of the 2027 elections.
Kwara crisis resolved after Danladi’s emergence
In Kwara State, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi Salihu, emerged as the APC governorship candidate amid opposition from several prominent aspirants.
His emergence, reportedly backed by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, sparked resistance from party heavyweights, including Senators Salihu Mustapha, Oyelola Ashiru and Umar Sadiq Suleiman, who also sought the ticket.
The outcome generated discontent across the state’s three senatorial districts, with some party members questioning the process.
However, party leaders have reportedly succeeded in reconciling aggrieved stakeholders, paving the way for Danladi’s candidacy to be formally submitted to INEC.
Bauchi primary battle triggers defections
The APC also faced turbulence in Bauchi State after former governor Mohammed Abubakar secured the party’s governorship ticket.
His victory was contested by several influential contenders, including Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, Bala Wunti, Nura Manu Soro and Senator Shehu Umar Buba.
The fallout from the primary led to significant political realignments, with Senator Buba leaving the APC to emerge as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate.
The crisis deepened further when APC Deputy Chairman in Bauchi, Ibrahim Misau, alongside several ward and local government officials, defected and pledged support for Buba.
Despite the upheaval, the APC has retained confidence in Abubakar’s candidacy and proceeded with his nomination.
Adamawa APC leaders reunite behind Galadima
In Adamawa State, signs of reconciliation have emerged following divisions over the emergence of Ahmed Tijani Galadima, former Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), as the party’s governorship candidate.
Galadima’s emergence reportedly enjoyed the backing of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, while Governor Ahmadu Fintiri was said to have preferred a different aspirant.
Although the primary initially created tension within the party, recent political events have suggested a truce, with Fintiri and Galadima appearing together publicly and projecting a united front.
Oyo APC ends dispute over Alli’s candidacy
The APC also appears to have settled internal disagreements in Oyo State following a prolonged dispute over the governorship ticket.
Former Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, had challenged the emergence of Senator Sharafadeen Alli, insisting that the primary election was flawed and promising to pursue redress through the party’s internal mechanisms.
Even after Alli received his certificate of return and announced Adesoji Adedeji as his running mate, resistance from some aspirants continued.
Party insiders, however, disclosed that the differences have now been resolved, allowing the APC to submit the names of both Alli and Adedeji to INEC.
One governorship ticket still pending
A member of the APC vetting committee revealed that the party is on the verge of concluding the nomination process nationwide.
According to the official, the only unresolved issue concerns the selection of a deputy governorship candidate in one North-East state.
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The source expressed optimism that a stakeholders’ meeting scheduled in Abuja would produce a final resolution and enable the party to complete its submissions before INEC’s deadline.
Beyond governorship races, the APC has reportedly uploaded approximately 60 per cent of its candidates for state House of Assembly elections across the country.
Political parties have until August 8 to submit the names of their governorship and state assembly candidates to INEC.
Notable APC governorship candidates submitted to INEC
Among the governorship candidates already processed by the party are:
Obafemi Hamzat (Lagos)
Solomon Adeola (Ogun)
Kingsley Chinda (Rivers)
Eric Opah (Abia)
Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi)
Mustapha Gubio (Borno)
Jamilu Gwamna (Gombe)
Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa)
Baba Malam Wali (Yobe)
Hyacinth Alia (Benue)
Bassey Otu (Cross River)
Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta)
Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi)
Peter Mbah (Enugu)
Umar Namadi (Jigawa)
Abba Yusuf (Kano)
Dikko Radda (Katsina)
Umar Bago (Niger)
Nasir Idris (Kebbi)
Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau)
Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom)
Dauda Lawal (Zamfara)
Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto)
With most of its internal disputes now resolved and candidate submissions nearing completion, the APC is positioning itself for an early start to the 2027 governorship campaigns as political activities intensify across the country.