ABUJA, Nigeria — A severe leadership crisis is shaking the upper echelons of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) just as the party begins its nationwide primary elections for the 2027 general elections. The widening internal rift has forced President Bola Tinubu to issue a stern, personally signed warning to party members against infighting and “do-or-die” politics.
Factions Clash Over Control
Sources within the APC National Secretariat reveal that deep structural divisions over delegate lists and candidate imposition have created a factional battleground. A growing confrontation is pitting members of the National Working Committee (NWC) against several powerful state governors.
The governors accuse Abuja of attempting to bypass local party structures to favor specific legislative aspirants. This administrative warfare is what triggered the last-minute, 24-hour postponement of the House of Representatives primaries to Saturday, May 16, 2026, despite public claims of “logistical adjustments.”
Tinubu Intervenes to Prevent Implosion
Recognizing that the internal power struggle threatens the party’s stability, President Tinubu urged aspirants, leaders, and delegates to maintain peace, uphold internal democracy, and embrace sportsmanship. He explicitly warned that these bitter internal fights would only benefit the opposition.
“Our primary elections must not become theaters of war,” Tinubu stated, as party insiders admit that the current friction could lead to chaotic parallel primaries if left unchecked.
High-Stakes Timeline
With the House primaries delayed and the Senate exercises scheduled for Monday, May 18, security has been heavily beefed up at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja and various state headquarters. Party administrators are working under intense pressure to resolve the leadership deadlock before voting begins across federal constituencies this weekend.
