Fresh tensions have erupted within the All Progressives Congress following the disqualification of more than 150 aspirants during screening exercises ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The screening process, currently ongoing across several states, has triggered protests, petitions and threats of legal action from aggrieved party members.
States affected by the crisis include Kano, Taraba, Rivers, Benue, Kaduna, Jigawa, Ebonyi, Plateau, Kogi and Anambra.
Many aspirants accused party leaders of attempting to impose preferred candidates through controversial consensus arrangements.
In Taraba State, the endorsement of incumbent lawmakers sparked outrage among party supporters in Taraba North Senatorial District.
Several youth groups rejected the endorsement of Senator Shuaibu Isa Lau, accusing him of poor performance and lack of visible constituency projects.
A stakeholder from Karim Lamido Local Government Area, Paul Penuel, described the senator’s tenure as disappointing and urged the party to reconsider its decision.
Another group, Coalition of Concerned Youths and Voice of the Proletariat, also opposed the endorsement and warned the APC against ignoring the wishes of party members.
Party sources disclosed that some aspirants had already begun preparing petitions over alleged irregularities during the screening process.
In Kano State, more than 20 aspirants seeking Senate, House of Representatives and State Assembly tickets were reportedly screened out.
Among those affected were former Head of Service, Usman Bala, and former lawmaker, Sha’aban Sharada.
Despite reconciliation efforts, protests continued after some aspirants stepped down for former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau under a consensus arrangement.
A pressure group known as Coalition for Better Kano criticised the move and warned that loyal party members were being sidelined.
Efforts by party leaders to calm tensions reportedly suffered setbacks after some stakeholders boycotted reconciliation meetings.
In Jigawa State, the screening controversy led to the resignation of former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Isah Idris.
Idris later defected to the Peoples Democratic Party after he was reportedly disqualified and replaced by another aspirant.
Other politicians affected in the state included former Speaker Idris Garba and serving lawmaker Abubakar Sadiq.
Party insiders warned that failure to resolve the growing grievances could destabilise the APC ahead of the primaries.
In Benue State, about 40 House of Assembly aspirants were reportedly disqualified during screening in Makurdi.
Supporters of some affected aspirants accused the party of violating zoning arrangements and excluding certain communities from representation.
A supporter identified simply as Amos warned that the development could negatively affect the party during the elections.
In Kogi State, party members accused APC leaders of distributing nomination forms selectively to preferred aspirants.
A party chieftain, Chief Femi Olugbemi, alleged that democratic principles were no longer respected within the state chapter.
He claimed that aspirants with strong grassroots support were deliberately excluded from the process.
The controversy has further increased fears of defections and legal disputes within the party.
Meanwhile, the APC in Anambra State expelled about 30 members, including aspirants, over court cases filed against the party.
The state Publicity Secretary, Valentine Iyiegbu, said the affected members violated party rules by taking legal action against the APC.
He added that the party would only reconsider the expelled members if they withdrew their court cases.
In Kaduna State, controversy also followed efforts to adopt consensus candidates for National Assembly positions.
Former lawmaker Shehu Sani was reportedly favoured for Kaduna Central Senatorial District, a move rejected by some stakeholders.
Activist Yarima Shettima and former Speaker Yusuf Zailani opposed the arrangement and warned against imposing candidates on party members.
In Ebonyi State, an aspirant for Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, Chief Christian Nwali, resigned from the APC after losing out in the consensus process.
Nwali, who is believed to be an ally of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced his resignation with immediate effect.
The crisis also deepened in Rivers State after 65 aspirants were disqualified by the APC House of Assembly Screening Appeal Committee.
Chairman of the panel, Dr Abdul Mahmud, confirmed that only 33 aspirants were cleared for the primaries.
Mahmud disclosed that the panel received several petitions from disqualified aspirants challenging the screening outcome.
He criticised the party for failing to officially notify aspirants of their disqualification before the reports surfaced online.
According to him, many aspirants only discovered they had been screened out through social media posts.
In Plateau State, concerns also emerged over alleged irregularities during the screening exercise.
Some aspirants claimed they were verbally informed about their disqualification without receiving formal communication from the party.
Party insiders warned that unresolved grievances could reopen factional disputes within the state chapter.
The APC leadership in several states has since begun reconciliation efforts to prevent defections and anti-party activities ahead of the primaries.
Political analysts, however, warned that the growing crisis could threaten party unity if not properly managed before the 2027 elections.
They noted that the increasing use of consensus arrangements and controversial screening outcomes has exposed deep divisions within the ruling party.
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