By Hassan Bisiriyu
As Nigeria edges closer to the 2027 general elections, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is grappling with deepening internal divisions across several state chapters, threatening its organizational unity and dominance despite holding power at the federal level and in 23 states.
From Lagos to Rivers, and from Benue to Delta, cracks are widening within the party’s structures, fueled by unresolved leadership disputes, factional rivalries, and accusations of imposition of candidates. The internal unrest has forced the party’s national leadership into a series of interventions aimed at quelling rising tensions and stabilizing its base ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested election cycle.
While the APC recently gained momentum from high-profile defections by opposition figures — including sitting governors — fresh concerns are surfacing about the potential exit of long-standing party members, particularly those who originally aligned with legacy parties such as the defunct All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). These developments are occurring against the backdrop of a reawakened opposition coalition spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The recent resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje as national chairman further compounded the APC’s leadership challenges, especially in Kano State, where political rivalries have intensified. In states like Rivers, Benue, and Lagos, factional disputes have effectively stalled internal party processes and local-level governance coordination.
Speculation has also emerged over an alleged strain in the relationship between President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. Although both leaders have made public efforts to maintain a united front, the appointment of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as the new national chairman has done little to silence rumours of internal discontent.
Despite this, party officials have downplayed the situation. A senior official stated that the tensions within the APC were “not a crisis,” describing them instead as “internal disagreements typical of any large political organization” and assuring that party structures and senior figures were actively working to reconcile aggrieved factions.
Insiders revealed that key power brokers — often referred to as party kingmakers — have been quietly mediating in several states to prevent defections and restore unity. “These are long-standing political heavyweights who are committed to preserving the APC’s relevance. They’ve been engaging leaders and factions across state chapters to foster peace,” said a source familiar with the mediation efforts.
In Lagos, the APC is battling significant internal discord despite its strong grip on state institutions. Earlier this year, the state House of Assembly, dominated by APC lawmakers, faced a near-collapse in leadership, as a faction attempted to unseat Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. The move was only reversed after top-level interventions, including from the national leadership.
The Lagos crisis revealed deeper issues within the state chapter, with persistent rivalry between two dominant political blocs: the Justice Forum and the Mandate Group. Recently, protests erupted at the state House of Assembly over alleged marginalization and the imposition of local government candidates by the state party chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi.
Ojelabi has dismissed the allegations, describing the protesters as fringe elements with limited influence. However, calls for his removal have grown louder, including from senior figures within the powerful Governor’s Advisory Council — the apex political decision-making body in Lagos — who accuse the chairman of favouring one faction at the expense of broader party unity.
As 2027 draws closer, analysts say the APC’s ability to manage these internal fissures may determine not only its electoral fortunes but also the stability of governance at both state and federal levels. While the party continues to project confidence, the growing calls for reconciliation and restructuring suggest that all is not well beneath the surface.
