…Tinubu was said to have declared that APC governors are the supreme leaders of the party in their respective states.
ABUJA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times| Across Nigeria, lawmakers, party chieftains, and influential political figures are already mapping out strategies as tensions rise within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
What was reportedly intended as a strategic move by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen party cohesion may now be triggering widespread unrest. Tinubu was said to have declared that APC governors are the supreme leaders of the party in their respective states, granting them exclusive authority to determine who secures party tickets for various offices.
The move, believed to be aimed at streamlining decision-making and enforcing discipline ahead of the 2027 elections, is instead being viewed by many as a destabilising policy. Across the country’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the ripple effects are already evident.
Members of the National Assembly, including long-serving lawmakers, now fear their political futures lie entirely in the hands of governors, some of whom may see them as rivals or feel no obligation to support them.
“Nobody hands over his destiny to another man,” a senior House of Representatives member said anonymously. “If the governor wants to give my seat to his son or his errand boy, does Tinubu expect me to fold my arms and go home? I will find another way. And many of us will find that way together.”
According to multiple sources within the party, the scale of potential fallout could surpass anything seen in recent electoral cycles.
Feedback from insiders within the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC), the National Assembly in Abuja, and various state capitals suggests growing unrest. Lawmakers, many with strong grassroots support, have been holding discreet consultations on what steps to take if denied party backing.
At least three major political movements are reportedly taking shape:
The first involves APC lawmakers from the South West, Tinubu’s political base, who fear governors may impose loyalists over incumbent legislators. These lawmakers are already exploring alliances with smaller parties and even elements within the Peoples Democratic Party, seeking ways to defect without losing their seats under constitutional provisions.
In the North West and North-Central regions, lawmakers are asserting their independence, claiming they have built political structures strong enough to withstand any governor’s opposition. Some have already initiated talks with the New Nigeria Peoples Party and the Social Democratic Party, both of which are positioning to attract disaffected APC members.
The third bloc consists of lawmakers in states where governors recently joined the APC or face internal challenges. These legislators, who were party members long before the governors’ arrival, feel sidelined and aggrieved.
A party source revealed that between 40 and 50 House members are seriously considering their options. “If even half of them leave, the APC risks handing the opposition a ready-made team of experienced politicians with strong grassroots networks,” the source said.
Beyond defections, legal challenges are emerging as a key strategy. The Electoral Act now recognises direct primaries and consensus arrangements, giving aggrieved members legal grounds to challenge manipulated delegate-based primaries.
Legal experts note that courts have become increasingly willing to scrutinise party primaries. “The era of governors simply writing names is more legally vulnerable now,” a senior advocate said. “The law has empowered aggrieved members, and they are ready to use it.”
This raises the possibility of widespread litigation after the 2027 primaries, potentially leaving the APC juggling election campaigns alongside numerous court battles. In some cases, court orders could even prevent party candidates from contesting, giving opposition parties an advantage.
While some governors reportedly see the directive as a tool to consolidate power, others recognise the risks. Overusing such authority could weaken party unity and damage their chances of re-election or succession planning.
“The smart governors will negotiate,” a former party official said. “Those who try to completely sideline lawmakers may trigger chaos that outlasts them.”
As President Tinubu prepares for a second-term bid in 2027, the stability of the APC will be crucial. A divided party with weakened legislative representation and unresolved legal disputes could face a far more challenging political landscape.
Meanwhile, opposition parties, including the Labour Party, are closely monitoring developments, aiming to capitalise on any cracks within the ruling party by جذب defectors and strengthening their own positions.
“This directive is the APC’s biggest internal threat since its formation,” a former party chieftain remarked. “Even the most skilled politicians can miscalculate.”
A National Assembly member from the North-Central region hinted that some defections may already be finalised. “Some of them are not just in talks,” he said quietly. “Some have concluded.”
A state party chairman in the South-South summed up the situation: “We are chasing unity and creating division. That is the honest truth.”
However, reacting to the claims, media aide to the APC National Chairman, Abimbola Tooki, denied any knowledge of such a directive.
“Where did the president issue such a directive? I hope you’ve reviewed the widely reported outcomes of that meeting, which did not include any of the issues you’ve raised,” he said.
Efforts to get a response from the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, were unsuccessful as he did not reply to messages sent to his active mobile line at the time of filing this report.
