Crisis Within: APC’s Internal Struggles and the Road to 2027
Despite its dominant hold on national power and control of 23 Nigerian states, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is grappling with growing internal unrest that threatens its chances in the 2027 general elections. The ruling party is caught in the grip of deep-rooted factional disputes, leadership battles, accusations of imposition, and ideological disunity across several state chapters. These tensions, if unresolved, could spell political disaster.
From Lagos to Rivers, Bayelsa to Delta, Benue, and Akwa Ibom, signs of internal disarray are evident. These conflicts have become so widespread that the APC national leadership has had to step in, aiming to douse the flames of discontent and preserve party unity.
Ironically, while the APC has welcomed defectors from opposition ranks—including governors and influential politicians—the influx has sometimes intensified the internal rivalries, rather than bridged them. Long-time APC loyalists, especially those from the legacy blocs of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), now feel increasingly sidelined.
Amid whispers of more defections, the departure of former Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje has only added fuel to the fire. Kano, Benue, and Lagos are now epicenters of tension. Speculations are also rife about cracks in the top hierarchy, particularly between President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima—though the party continues to present a united public front.
Still, APC’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, maintains that the party is not in crisis. He insists all issues are being handled internally, thanks to a strong reconciliation framework supported by party stalwarts. However, behind closed doors, sources within the party admit that senior figures—described as “kingmakers”—are racing against time to mend broken fences before the 2027 elections.
Lagos: Cracks Beneath the Surface
Even in Lagos—the political fortress of President Tinubu—the party is torn. Earlier this year, a surprising internal rebellion shook the State House of Assembly, where 39 out of 40 lawmakers are APC members. Speaker Mudashiru Obasa was temporarily ousted by his colleagues, only to be reinstated after national leaders intervened. That episode laid bare the simmering division between two camps: the Justice Forum and the Mandate Group.
Recently, protestors within the party demanded the removal of Lagos APC Chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi. They cited allegations of bias and imposition during the controversial May 2025 primaries that preceded the July 12 local government elections. Protesters claimed Ojelabi favored one faction over others, monopolizing council positions.
While Ojelabi brushed off these claims as baseless and unworthy of concern, his critics, including GAC elder Chief Muraina Taiwo, insist he must be replaced. According to Taiwo, Ojelabi’s loyalty to the Justice Forum has marginalized other groups. He alleged that 57 out of 57 councillor seats were seized by Justice Forum candidates, leaving the Mandate Group sidelined. “If they don’t change things before 2027, the consequences will be severe,” he warned.
The aftershocks of these grievances were felt in Agege, where the Mandate Group clashed with Speaker Obasa’s loyalists over primary results. A spokesperson from the opposing faction accused Obasa of hijacking the power structure for over a decade. With growing demands for Ojelabi’s ousting, the crisis in Lagos APC is far from resolution.
Rivers State: Who Holds the Mantle?
In Rivers, a fierce leadership contest has torn the party apart. The local government elections slated for August 30 have only worsened the rift. Trouble began after former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi lost the 2023 presidential primary to Tinubu. Since then, the Rivers APC has been split between the Amaechi-backed Emeke Beke and Tony Okocha, who enjoys backing from the APC National Working Committee (NWC).
Although a court reinstated Beke as state chairman in 2024, the national leadership has continued to recognize Okocha, disregarding the judicial ruling. Beke recently took his protest to the new APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, urging him to restore justice. Days later, however, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka reaffirmed Okocha’s position as the recognized leader.
The Beke camp sees the hand of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike behind their woes. Wike, once a PDP strongman, is accused of wielding undue influence to install his loyalists across both APC and PDP structures in Rivers. According to Beke’s Chief of Staff, Chizi Enyi, the so-called APC candidates in the upcoming election are largely Wike’s allies from the PDP.
Although they vow to remain in the APC for now, legal actions are mounting. Meanwhile, Okocha’s camp denies the existence of any faction, asserting that the current leadership emerged through a transparent process. They also claim the Beke-led executive was rightly sacked for anti-party activities.
Benue: Between Loyalty and Legacy
Benue’s APC remains sharply divided between Governor Hyacinth Alia and Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). This tug-of-war has created two parallel structures: one loyal to the governor, the other to the SGF.
President Tinubu’s earlier attempt to mediate during a condolence visit yielded limited results. While there were signs of rapprochement—such as Alia’s visit to Akume’s residence—the underlying divisions persist. The caretaker committee, led by Benjamin Omale and loyal to the governor, claims unity is within reach. But Daniel Ihomun, spokesperson for the Akume-aligned faction, disagrees.
According to Ihomun, a state High Court ruling had earlier invalidated the governor’s caretaker committee, and no superior court has overturned it. He dismissed the reconciliation gestures as “window dressing,” pointing out that no stakeholders’ meeting has occurred to heal the divide.
Adding complexity are rumors that former PDP Governor Samuel Ortom and ex-ADC Governor Gabriel Suswam have taken sides—supporting Akume and Alia respectively—further fracturing the party’s foundation.
Akwa Ibom: Merging or Hostile Takeover?
In Akwa Ibom, tensions are rising between new defectors and long-standing APC loyalists. Party insiders warn of a major split if the recent arrivals are granted automatic tickets and control of upcoming congresses.
According to one chieftain, the defectors behave as if they acquired the party rather than joined it. If their ambition to dominate party leadership is not curtailed, the older members may exit en masse—threatening the party’s stability before 2027.
Bayelsa: Clash of Titans
Bayelsa APC is no stranger to crisis. Tensions flared after several local government chapters suspended Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and other key figures for alleged anti-party activities. Their alleged crime? Collaborating with Governor Diri’s PDP government under the guise of political inclusivity.
Though the state working committee later tried to place the suspensions “in abeyance,” the affected chapters pursued legal action. A deeper rift lies between Lokpobiri and former Governor Timipre Sylva over who should lead the party. While Lokpobiri, a federal minister, is the most senior APC figure in the state, Sylva’s faction insists he retains grassroots influence.
Efforts to clarify the leadership have been unsuccessful, with neither State Chairman Dr. Dennis Otiotio nor party spokespeople reachable.
Delta: Tensions After Defection
The April 2025 defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and several PDP heavyweights into the APC created internal chaos in Delta. While welcomed by the national leadership, it unsettled local power blocs, particularly those loyal to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
Omo-Agege, who had earlier resisted the governor’s overtures, eventually endorsed the move. Yet the shift in power dynamics has weakened his influence. The entrance of Oborevwori has effectively made him the new leader of the Delta APC, a move many old members view as a betrayal.
The Coalition of Deeply Concerned APC Stakeholders in Delta, led by Chief Emma Ejiofor, sent a strongly worded letter to President Tinubu warning that the integration of defectors was haphazard and could cost the APC dearly in 2027.
The CPC Bloc: Staying the Course
Amid talk of splintering, the CPC bloc—formed by loyalists of former President Muhammadu Buhari—remains intact, according to Prof. Adebayo Shittu, former Minister of Communications. APC’s Bala Ibrahim backed this sentiment, affirming that northern loyalists like former Nasarawa Governor Al-Makura remain central to the party’s vision.
A Watchful Opposition and APC’s Response
Political analyst Jide Ojo cautioned that the APC must not dismiss the opposition. While defections to APC continue, he notes that the coalition against the ruling party remains active, especially under the influence of Atiku Abubakar and other veteran politicians.
Still, Ojo differentiates 2027 from the 2015 scenario. He argues that unlike the 2014-15 mass defection that toppled PDP, no APC governor has defected yet, making a repeat less likely. He concedes the APC is not without flaws but notes that its broad-based appeal could still give it the edge.
Edo and Gombe: Models of Unity
Amid the storm, APC chapters in Edo and Gombe provide rare examples of unity. In Edo, defections have strengthened the APC. The party now controls 20 seats in the House of Assembly, and even Speaker Blessing Agbebaku defected and retained his post.
State chairman Jarrett Tenebe stated confidently, “There is no old or new APC. We are one family.”
Likewise, in Gombe, party leaders such as Sabo Zanna have dismissed reports of division, reaffirming their loyalty to Tinubu and Shettima, and their resolve to win 2027.
A Party at a Crossroads
The APC’s journey toward 2027 will depend on its ability to quell internal rebellion, manage defectors wisely, and preserve cohesion in its strongholds. While certain states show promise, the growing crisis across others threatens to derail its ambitions.
As Nigeria watches closely, the ruling party must decide: will it evolve and consolidate, or fracture under the weight of its own internal battles?