Ruling Party Rejects Calls for Review, Moves to Submit Candidates to INEC Amid Rising Internal Tensions
By John Ishakuk
ABUJA, Nigeria — June 14, 2026
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has firmly ruled out any review of the results of its recently concluded primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections, despite growing discontent among dozens of aspirants who have alleged manipulation, imposition and procedural irregularities during the selection process.
The decision signals the party leadership’s determination to move forward with its candidate nomination process while potentially setting the stage for fresh internal disputes, defections and legal battles that could shape the political landscape ahead of the next general elections.
Investigations by A1NEWS International indicate that the APC National Secretariat has substantially concluded the collation and validation of primary election results and is preparing to upload the names of successful candidates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal within the stipulated timeframe.
The move effectively closes the window for further internal appeals by aggrieved aspirants who have continued to challenge the outcomes of the primaries in several states.
APC Leadership Rejects Calls for Fresh Review
Senior party officials familiar with the process disclosed that the APC has no intention of reopening or revisiting the results already submitted by various state chapters and primary election committees.
A principal official of the party, who spoke on condition of anonymity, insisted that the timelines provided for primary elections and post-primary appeals had elapsed and that the party was now focused on meeting INEC’s nomination deadlines.
According to the official, the APC is awaiting access credentials from INEC before uploading the names of victorious candidates.
“We are not reviewing the results of the primaries. Everything has been concluded,” the official reportedly stated.
The position has been corroborated by members of the National Working Committee (NWC), who maintain that the overwhelming majority of petitions received by the party lacked merit and did not warrant any alteration of the declared results.
INEC Deadlines Increase Pressure
The party’s decision comes against the backdrop of critical timelines established by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
INEC is expected to release access codes to its nomination portal on June 26, while political parties are required to complete submissions of candidates’ particulars before the July 11 deadline.
Political observers note that these timelines have significantly reduced the possibility of prolonged internal reviews, placing pressure on political parties to finalise their candidate lists.
For the APC, any delay could create administrative complications and potentially weaken preparations for the 2027 electoral contest.
More Than 50 Federal Lawmakers Lose Return Tickets
The primaries produced several political casualties, with no fewer than 54 serving members of the National Assembly reportedly failing to secure return tickets.
Among those affected are ranking senators and House of Representatives members whose defeats have generated protests and petitions in several states.
The fallout has been particularly intense in Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Kogi, Zamfara, Plateau and Osun states, where dissatisfied aspirants have accused party leaders of imposing preferred candidates and undermining internal democracy.
Several of the affected politicians have threatened legal action while demanding fresh primaries in their respective constituencies.
Appeal Panels Yield Few Changes
According to party insiders, the various appeal panels established by the APC to review complaints from aggrieved aspirants made little impact on the final outcomes.
Officials argue that many of the petitions focused on issues that should have been resolved before the primaries were conducted.
Among the complaints reportedly raised were allegations concerning zoning arrangements, eligibility disputes and questions regarding the membership status of some aspirants who recently defected from opposition parties.
Party leaders insist that such issues do not necessarily invalidate the primary election process.
Sources within the APC maintain that less than two per cent of all petitions filed resulted in any significant adjustment to the original outcomes.
Delta Primary Dispute: Ned Nwoko Challenges Okowa
One of the most closely watched disputes emerged from Delta State, where Senator Ned Nwoko is reportedly contesting the outcome of the APC senatorial primary won by former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Sources familiar with the petition claim that Nwoko’s camp is questioning Okowa’s eligibility on the grounds that the former governor allegedly did not formally complete all necessary procedures following his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Okowa joined the APC alongside Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in April, a political realignment that significantly altered the state’s political dynamics.
The dispute has become a major test of how the APC intends to handle controversies involving high-profile political defectors.
Rivers Crisis Deepens Over Kingsley Chinda’s Emergence
In Rivers State, fresh controversy has emerged over the emergence of Kingsley Chinda as the APC governorship candidate.
Some party members have reportedly challenged his candidacy based on questions surrounding his political transition and membership status.
However, APC officials insist that once an individual’s name appears in the party’s official register, that person is considered a legitimate member eligible to contest under the party’s platform.
Party leaders have described questions regarding membership registration dates and previous political affiliations as internal matters that do not affect the validity of the primary process.
Tinubu Yet to Intervene, APC Officials Insist
Amid speculation that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may intervene to calm tensions within the party, senior APC officials have dismissed such reports.
Members of the National Working Committee insist that neither the President nor officials from the Presidency have directed the party leadership to review any primary results.
According to one APC official, any presidential intervention would likely have occurred before the conduct of the primaries rather than after the declaration of results.
The official specifically dismissed reports suggesting that the President was unhappy with outcomes in Lagos State, maintaining that all candidates who emerged from the state’s primaries remain valid winners.
Aggrieved Aspirants Look to Tinubu for Last-Minute Intervention
Despite the party’s official position, some dissatisfied aspirants remain hopeful that President Tinubu will personally examine complaints before the final submission of candidates to INEC.
Several party members in Lagos State argued that influential political actors may be shielding the President from the true extent of dissatisfaction among grassroots members.
One aspirant alleged that internal power struggles and caucus politics influenced the outcome of several contests, creating resentment among party loyalists.
Others warned that unresolved grievances could weaken party cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.
Fear of Defections and Internal Sabotage
Political analysts believe the APC leadership faces a delicate balancing act.
While the party seeks to project stability and finality regarding its primaries, unresolved disputes could trigger defections or passive resistance from dissatisfied members.
Some aspirants have warned that aggrieved party faithful may choose to either leave the APC or remain within the party while quietly supporting opposition candidates.
Such scenarios have historically proven costly in Nigerian elections, where internal party conflicts often influence voting behaviour and electoral outcomes.
Observers note that maintaining unity within the ruling party may become increasingly important as economic challenges, security concerns and governance issues continue to dominate national discourse ahead of 2027.
Internal Democracy Under Fresh Scrutiny
The controversy surrounding the APC primaries has once again reignited broader conversations about internal democracy within Nigerian political parties.
Civil society groups and electoral reform advocates have repeatedly argued that transparent candidate selection processes are essential to strengthening democratic institutions.
Critics contend that allegations of imposition, exclusion and manipulation weaken public confidence not only in political parties but also in the broader electoral system.
Supporters of the APC leadership, however, insist that no political process is entirely free of disputes and that the party has followed established procedures for resolving grievances.
With INEC’s submission deadline fast approaching, the APC appears determined to close the chapter on its contentious primaries and focus on preparations for the 2027 general elections. However, the lingering dissatisfaction among several aspirants and party stakeholders suggests that the political fallout may be far from over.
As aggrieved members weigh their next moves and party leaders push ahead with candidate nominations, the ruling party’s ability to manage internal tensions could prove decisive in shaping its electoral fortunes in 2027.
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