Fresh tension has erupted within the ruling All Progressives Congress as petitions protests legal threats and accusations of candidate imposition continue to trail the party’s screening of aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections
The crisis has spread across several states including Taraba Kano Jigawa Anambra Benue Kogi Kaduna Ebonyi Rivers Plateau Abia Gombe and Zamfara exposing growing divisions within the party over consensus arrangements and the disqualification of aspirants
Findings showed that many aggrieved aspirants are preparing petitions and possible court actions over the outcome of the screening exercises while others are threatening protests and anti party activities if their grievances are ignored
The screening exercise is part of the APC’s nationwide effort to reduce the number of contestants before the primaries but the process has already generated widespread controversy in several states
In Taraba State the endorsement of serving lawmakers after the screening exercise sparked outrage especially in Taraba North Senatorial District where youth groups and stakeholders openly rejected the endorsement of Senator Shuaibu Isa Lau
A stakeholder from Karim Lamido Local Government Area Paul Penuel described the senator’s performance as “a complete failure” saying there was “no record of impactful projects no policy footprint and nothing measurable” to justify another term
Another constituent Dickson Kwinde warned against repeating what he called a costly political mistake
“A mistake like this must never be repeated The people of Taraba North cannot continue to be taken for granted”
The Coalition of Concerned Youths and Voice of the Proletariat in Karim Lamido also rejected the senator’s endorsement
“We categorically state that we do not support Senator Shuaibu Isa Lau for any position As far as we are concerned he has nothing to show for his years in office and does not deserve another mandate”
Party insiders revealed that several aspirants have started preparing petitions over alleged irregularities manipulation by political godfathers and attempts to impose consensus candidates without proper consultation
Some aspirants are also considering protests and legal action if the appeal process fails to address their complaints
In Kano State more than 20 aspirants seeking Senate House of Representatives and State Assembly tickets were screened out despite earlier consensus arrangements
Among those affected were former Head of Service Usman Bala former lawmaker Sha’aban Sharada Muhammad Zango Danyaro Yakasai Abbas Abbas Shehu Driver and AA Zaura in the Kano Central Senatorial race
The APC Publicity Secretary in the state Auwal Soja however confirmed that six aspirants later stepped down for former governor Ibrahim Shekarau after reconciliation meetings
“The six aspirants stepped down for Shekarau in the interest of unity and peace in Kano State”
Despite the agreement protests continued as a group known as Coalition for Better Kano criticised the endorsement of Shekarau insisting loyalty should not be sacrificed for political convenience
“The principles of political justice demand that loyalty must be rewarded To bypass a foot soldier that stood firm for the party in favour of a newcomer no matter how prominent would send the wrong message”
Efforts by Governor Abba Yusuf to calm the crisis reportedly suffered setbacks after some stakeholders boycotted reconciliation meetings