APC: Consensus or Contention?

When the new Electoral Act was signed into law, many Nigerians, especially ordinary citizens and grassroots party members, believed the country was finally entering a new democratic era. The abolition of indirect primaries was widely celebrated as a major step toward sanitizing Nigeria’s electoral process. For years, the delegate system had been criticized as a […]

When the new Electoral Act was signed into law, many Nigerians, especially ordinary citizens and grassroots party members, believed the country was finally entering a new democratic era. The abolition of indirect primaries was widely celebrated as a major step toward sanitizing Nigeria’s electoral process. For years, the delegate system had been criticized as a marketplace where the highest bidder often secured party tickets while genuine party loyalists and ordinary members had little or no voice in determining who flew the party’s flag.

Under the old system, governors and powerful stakeholders wielded enormous influence, handpicking candidates who would protect their political interests rather than represent the will of the people. The new law was therefore seen as a direct blow to “delegate politics” and a victory for internal democracy.

At the heart of the new framework were two alternatives: direct primaries or consensus candidacy.

However, what many political parties, especially the APC in several states, now describe as “consensus” appears increasingly different from the democratic spirit Nigerians had hoped for. In reality, what is being presented as consensus is, in many cases, outright political anointment. Preferred candidates are being imposed by influential figures while dissenting voices are pressured into silence.

The consequences are already becoming evident. Instead of unity, these decisions are breeding resentment, disagreement, and rancor among aspirants and party loyalists. If not carefully managed, this growing culture of imposition may become politically disastrous for the APC ahead of the next elections.

Yobe State presents a clear example of this unfolding crisis.

The alleged anointed candidate for the gubernatorial position is the former Secretary to the State Government. While some stakeholders have openly endorsed him, the decision has not been fully accepted by many party loyalists and several aspirants still in the race. Although the former Senate President has reportedly accepted the arrangement and withdrawn, at least six other aspirants have obtained and submitted nomination forms, insisting that what transpired cannot genuinely be described as consensus.

To them, it is political exclusion disguised as party unity.

Some aspirants have openly argued that justice and fairness demand the conduct of transparent primary elections where party members, not a few influential stakeholders, determine the party’s flag bearer.

The challenge extends beyond the governorship race.

Across Yobe’s three senatorial districts and six federal constituencies, concerns are steadily mounting over alleged endorsements and imposed candidacies.

In Yobe East, where Governor Mai Mala Buni hails from, the governor’s emergence as the consensus candidate for the senatorial seat has generated little controversy. Given his political antecedents, influence, and popularity within the zone, many consider the decision understandable and politically strategic.

Similarly, in the Damaturu, Gujba, Gulani, and Tarmuwa Federal Constituency, Hon. Khadija Waziri Ibrahim appears set to retain the APC ticket despite increasing calls from some constituents for fresh representation. Critics argue that the party leadership has ignored growing dissatisfaction within the constituency.

On the other hand, Hon. Lawan Shettima of the Bursari, Geidam, and Yunusari Federal Constituency appears to enjoy strong grassroots support, making opposition to his endorsement relatively minimal.

The real political storm, however, is gathering in Yobe South Senatorial District.

With the current senator joining the gubernatorial race, the senate seat has become vacant and fiercely contested. Rumors that a former Minister of Power has been endorsed for the position have triggered widespread dissatisfaction across the zone. Many constituents reportedly view him as politically disconnected from the grassroots and lacking the popularity required to retain the seat for the APC.

The situation has already produced serious political consequences.

Senator Mohammed Hassan, widely regarded by many as one of the most influential and popular politicians in the zone, has defected to the NDC after reportedly feeling sidelined in the APC’s internal arrangements.

This development is particularly dangerous for the ruling party because Yobe South has historically been the opposition’s strongest base. At one point, the opposition controlled the Senate seat, House of Representatives positions, and state assembly seats within the zone. APC only managed to reclaim those positions during the last election after intense political battles and narrow victories.

Nowhere is the situation more delicate than in the Nangere/Potiskum Federal Constituency.

The constituency is currently represented by Hon. Fatima Talba, whose victory in the last election remained highly controversial. She now faces the possibility of confronting a stronger and more energized opposition movement led by Engineer Abubakar Waziri, a young and increasingly popular figure whose grassroots appeal continues to grow.

Political observers believe that if the APC fails to field highly credible and broadly accepted candidates in the zone, it risks losing not just individual seats but potentially the entire district to the opposition.

The mathematics appears increasingly worrying for the ruling party.

Many analysts believe Senator Mohammed Hassan stands a strong chance of defeating the rumored APC anointed candidate for the senate seat. Likewise, there are serious doubts about whether the current House of Representatives member can withstand the growing popularity of Engineer Abubakar Waziri.

The message from many constituents is becoming unmistakably clear: credibility, popularity, and grassroots acceptance matter more than political endorsements.

Elsewhere in Yobe South, the Fune/Fika Federal Constituency appears relatively stable. The current representative remains popular after previously winning the seat under an opposition platform before defecting to the APC.

In Yobe North, home to the former Senate President, political tensions are comparatively moderate. While the former Senate President continues to enjoy widespread respect because of his political legacy and long-standing influence, concerns persist regarding the endorsement of some candidates, particularly in the Machina, Nguru, Yusufari, and Karasuwa Federal Constituency represented by Hon.Tijjani Zanna Zakariyya, whose popularity remains contested in some quarters.

Similarly, Hon. Hassan Alminjas of the Bade/Jakusko Federal Constituency is reportedly facing increasing pressure to retain the confidence of his constituents. The political equation in the Bade/Jakusko Federal Constituency is equally becoming increasingly complicated for the APC. Beyond the growing dissatisfaction surrounding the current representation, the emergence of Hon. Sani Ahmed Kaitafi of the ADC presents a serious electoral threat to the ruling party. Kaitafi is steadily gaining attention and grassroots momentum within the constituency, with many observers describing him as a formidable challenger capable of capitalizing on any internal division within the APC. Political analysts warn that should the party proceed with Hon. Hassan Alminjas as its flag bearer without addressing the concerns of party loyalists and constituents, the opposition may very well seize the opportunity and win the seat. In a constituency where voter sentiment appears to be shifting rapidly, the APC can hardly afford complacency.

Taken together, these developments paint a troubling picture for the APC in Yobe State.

The growing dissatisfaction among governorship aspirants, the controversy surrounding alleged endorsements, and the visible discontent across several constituencies suggest a party gradually drifting away from internal democracy at a critical political moment.

If the APC leadership truly seeks unity and electoral success, then the solution may not lie in political imposition disguised as consensus. Rather, it may require a return to genuine democratic principles by allowing free, fair, and transparent primary elections without intimidation or undue influence.

Because in politics, imposed unity rarely lasts. Genuine consensus can only exist where fairness, inclusion, and credibility are allowed to prevail.

Usman Ibrahim write from Daily Observers Nigeria