Debate over APC primaries intensifies as the party weighs direct voting against consensus, signaling a reform-driven approach ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections.
As Nigeria’s 2027 general elections draw closer, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing renewed scrutiny over its internal nomination process, following conflicting reports about whether it has fully adopted direct primaries nationwide or retained its long-standing consensus option.
Recent claims circulating across some platforms suggested that the party had abolished consensus candidacy entirely and opted for direct primaries across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. However, available facts and multiple credible signals indicate that the APC has not formally eliminated consensus, but is instead maintaining a flexible approach that accommodates both methods.
A senior party official, speaking on condition of anonymity, clarified that the party has not taken any blanket decision to abolish consensus, explaining that the existing framework allows different options depending on local realities.
This position aligns with the provisions of Nigeria’s electoral framework and past party practices, which recognize direct, indirect, and consensus-based primaries. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has also consistently maintained that political parties are free to adopt any of the legally recognized primary methods, provided due process is followed, noting that its responsibility is to monitor compliance rather than dictate internal choices.
Within APC circles, there are indications that consensus remains a strategic tool, particularly in situations where party unity is at stake. A member of the party’s national working committee stated that consensus, when properly managed, helps reduce friction and post-primary disputes, which have historically weakened party cohesion.
At the same time, there is growing pressure from grassroots members for more inclusive participation, which explains the increased emphasis on direct primaries in some states. A party stakeholder observed that direct primaries give ordinary members a sense of ownership, and that energy can be critical heading into a major election cycle.
Political analysts argue that the mixed messaging reflects internal balancing rather than policy inconsistency. Analysts suggest that the APC is keeping its options open by using direct primaries where competitive legitimacy is needed, and consensus where stability is the priority.
As preparations intensify ahead of 2027, the party is expected to release clearer, state-specific guidelines that will ultimately determine how candidates emerge. For now, the evidence suggests that rather than abolishing consensus, the APC is navigating a hybrid model designed to manage both internal democracy and political pragmatism.
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