The All Progressives Congress is currently facing intense internal heat and public scrutiny following a controversial decision to alter the list of candidates who originally won the party’s National Assembly primaries. With the 2027 general elections drawing closer, the sudden shift has reignited a fierce national debate regarding the credibility of the ruling party’s internal democracy and the transparency of its candidate selection process.
In the newly adjusted lineup, the party high command restored the tickets of six serving senators who had faced challenges in the primaries. Among those reinstated are Sunday Karimi representing Kogi West, Emmanuel Udende of Benue North-East, and Titus Zam from Benue North-West. The list also brought back Shuaibu Isa Lau of Taraba North, alongside Ondo State lawmakers Adeniyi Adegbonmire and Olajide Ipinsagba. Meanwhile, in Abia South, the party replaced Edinburgh Erondu with Prince Paul Ikonne.
Reports reveal that the main opposition parties have capitalized on the development to launch heavy criticisms against the ruling party. The Peoples Democratic Party openly mocked the APC for swapping the names of actual primary winners, while the Social Democratic Party labeled the adjustments as reckless. Adding its voice to the backlash, the Labour Party strongly condemned the decision, describing it as a total disregard for democratic principles.
Faced with growing opposition anger, the ruling party fired back, telling rival political platforms to mind their own business and concentrate on resolving the various internal crises tearing their own houses apart. Defending the alterations, the APC leadership insisted that the changes were not arbitrary but were actually made to ensure fairness and reflect the true wishes of the party’s grassroots members.
