APC FACES BACKLASH OVER SUBSTITUTION OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY PRIMARY WINNERS AHEAD OF 2027 ELECTIONS. (PHOTO).

 APC Faces Backlash Over Substitution of National Assembly Primary Winners Ahead of 2027 Elections

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has come under heavy criticism following its decision to alter the list of candidates who emerged from its National Assembly primaries, raising fresh concerns about internal democracy and the credibility of the party’s candidate selection process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) mocked the APC for substituting the names of some primary winners with others, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) described the move as reckless, and the Labour Party (LP) condemned it as undemocratic. The APC, however, told the opposition to mind its own business and focus on the crises rocking their respective parties, insisting that the changes reflected fairness and the wishes of its members.

Last week, the APC directed its state chapters to release the list of candidates for the 2027 elections and issued Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination forms for completion and submission. The development triggered mixed reactions, with some aspirants who were declared winners alleging they had been replaced after the May Primary Election Appeal Commission reviewed petitions from the primaries.

Reports indicate that the APC National Working Committee (NWC) overturned the victories of several senatorial candidates and restored six serving senators in nine states based on the recommendations of its appeal committee. The revised list affected senatorial primaries in Kogi, Abia, Benue, Taraba, Ondo, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, and Ebonyi states.

Among those restored were Senators Sunday Karimi (Kogi West), Emmanuel Udende (Benue North-East), Titus Zam (Benue North-West), Shuaibu Isa Lau (Taraba North), Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central), and Olajide Ipinsagba (Ondo North). In Abia South, Prince Paul Ikonne, a former Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, replaced Edinburgh Erondu.

One notable casualty was former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, whose victory in the Benue North-East primary was nullified in favour of incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende. The changes have sparked internal disagreements and legal concerns in several states.

Reacting to the development, the PDP described the APC’s action as evidence of a deepening internal crisis, confusion, and lack of transparency. PDP National Publicity Secretary Jungudo Mohammed told newsmen that his party would capitalise on the situation to reclaim power.

“With the change of the candidate list, there is confusion in the APC. Let them continue to remain in confusion. It is our joy to see that they remain in confusion so that we can take advantage of that and take over power,” Mohammed said. He added that the PDP remained open to welcoming politicians who felt unfairly treated by their parties, citing recent joiners like Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo and Prof. Isa Pantami.

The Labour Party condemned the substitutions as an aberration and a mockery of the Electoral Act. LP National Publicity Secretary Ken Asogwa said his party had consistently respected primary outcomes and did not replace winners with non-participants. He recalled similar controversies before the 2023 elections and criticised the lack of repercussions for such actions.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) warned that the crisis could trigger internal discontent that might cost the APC in 2027. ADC National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi told newsmen that the substitutions had left many APC members bitter and aggrieved. He stressed that the ADC would not replace duly elected primary winners except in cases of voluntary withdrawal, highlighting its use of direct, competitive primaries.

The SDP described the development as undemocratic but maintained it was an internal affair of the APC. SDP National Publicity Secretary Rufus Aiyenigba said his party would not dignify the APC’s “recklessness” with extensive comments, focusing instead on providing alternative solutions to Nigeria’s problems ahead of 2027.

However, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, defended the APC’s right to handle its internal affairs. He cited Supreme Court positions affirming parties’ authority to nominate candidates through their mechanisms, including appeal processes, and noted similar approaches by other parties like the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The NDC also backed the principle of party substitutions. Its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, told newsmen that Section 84 of the Electoral Act allows parties flexibility in candidate selection, whether through direct primaries or consensus. He denied allegations of imposition within the NDC and said the party was addressing grievances to prevent members from leaving.

Defending the APC’s decision, the party’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, said the changes followed due process through the appeal mechanism and reflected fairness, justice, and the wishes of members. He dismissed the opposition as fractured platforms and urged them to address their own problems.

“It shows fairness and justice. It shows the willingness of our party to go by the wishes of the people,” Ibrahim stated, adding that the APC remained committed to democratic principles and carrying members along.

The revised candidate list and ongoing disputes have created uncertainty over the APC’s nominations as INEC has warned it would reject candidates who did not emerge from properly monitored primaries.