APC CANDIDATE LIST SPARKS LAWSUITS, FRESH INTERNAL CRISIS
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By: Fasasi Hammad
Fresh tensions have emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the submission of its revised National Assembly candidates’ list to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with aggrieved aspirants heading to court, stakeholders demanding new representation, and party leaders warning of growing discontent ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Despite the controversy, the APC has maintained that the matter remains an internal party issue that will be resolved through its established mechanisms.
Former senator representing Ekiti North, Ayo Arise, revealed that he had instituted legal action to challenge the outcome of the party’s senatorial primary in his district, insisting that he emerged as the legitimate winner.
Arise explained that he approached the court immediately after the primary election because he was aware of the timelines prescribed by the Electoral Act. According to him, the move was not motivated by personal ambition but by a desire to ensure that political parties adhere to their rules and uphold democratic values.
He argued that several aspirants were encouraged to wait for pronouncements from the party’s national leadership despite clear provisions in the APC guidelines outlining how the primary process should be concluded.
Expressing confidence in the judiciary, Arise said he believes the court will restore his candidacy because, in his view, he won the primary convincingly.
In Ondo State, stakeholders from Okeigbo in Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Local Government Area have called for a new representative for the Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency ahead of 2027, citing dissatisfaction with the quality of representation and development in the area.
The demand was conveyed in a statement issued on behalf of the stakeholders by APC chieftain Fayemisi Tosin, who said frustration among residents had intensified due to what they described as inadequate federal presence and poor constituency performance.
According to the group, issues such as poor infrastructure, youth unemployment, a lack of impactful constituency projects and the deteriorating condition of the Okeigbo-Ifetedo Bridge connecting Ondo and Osun states have fuelled calls for change.
The stakeholders consequently endorsed Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi, who contested the party’s House of Representatives primary, and urged the APC leadership to recognise her as the rightful candidate.
The unrest follows extensive revisions to the APC’s National Assembly candidates’ list, which saw the replacement of several aspirants, including former Benue State governor Gabriel Suswam and former House of Representatives member Gbenga Elegbeleye, after appeals arising from the party’s primaries.
The changes were communicated to INEC through a letter jointly signed by APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and National Secretary Ajibola Basiru.
According to the party, the substitutions were approved by the National Working Committee after reviewing recommendations submitted by the Primary Election Appeal Committee.
In addition to Senate candidates, the APC also replaced 19 House of Representatives candidates across Benue, Kogi, Ondo, Taraba, Niger, Kwara, Kaduna, Abia and Ebonyi states, with Benue recording the highest number of changes.
Commenting on the controversy, APC chieftain Cletus Obun cautioned against any attempt to substitute candidates who did not emerge through valid primaries monitored by INEC.
He referenced the party’s experience in Zamfara State, where court rulings nullified APC victories after candidates were found not to have emerged through lawful primaries.
Obun argued that introducing candidates who did not participate in the primaries could amount to sabotage and expose the party to avoidable legal challenges.
He also questioned how some aspirants previously deemed ineligible were later included on the revised list, calling on the party to provide clear explanations.
Although he disclosed that he personally lost out during the appeal process in Cross River State, Obun said he remained committed to the APC despite feeling disappointed by the outcome.
He urged the party leadership to establish a reconciliation committee to address growing grievances among long-standing members, warning that unresolved tensions could pose significant challenges for the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Responding to concerns, APC National Chairman’s spokesman, Abimbola Tooki, said the issues raised were part of the party’s internal processes and would be handled internally.
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