By DANJUMA NAFUNJI
As political manoeuvring within Nigeria’s ruling party gathers momentum, the All Progressives Congress (APC) finds itself balancing fierce internal competition with the delicate task of preserving unity. While party leaders celebrate the high level of participation in its primary elections as evidence of growing popularity, observers are watching closely to see whether the exercise strengthens cohesion or deepens existing rivalries ahead of future electoral contests.
The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has described the party’s recent primary election process as one of the most competitive internal political contests in Nigeria’s democratic history. He insisted that the exercise demonstrates the growing strength and popularity of the party across the country.
Speaking amid heightened political activity and intense competition among aspirants seeking various elective positions, the APC chairman maintained that the large number of contestants participating in the primaries reflects their confidence in the party’s structure and its prospects in future elections.
According to him, the contest attracted unprecedented interest from party members, resulting in vigorous campaigns and increased political engagement in several states of the federation.
The chairman noted that competition remains a healthy component of democracy and should not be viewed as a sign of division within the party. Rather, he argued that the willingness of numerous aspirants to test their popularity through party mechanisms demonstrates the vibrancy of the APC and the confidence members have in its internal democratic processes.
Political observers closely monitored developments surrounding the primaries, especially in states where multiple high-profile aspirants vied for a single ticket.
In many of these contests, party leaders were compelled to engage in extensive consultations aimed at preventing disputes and ensuring that outcomes would be accepted by participants and their supporters.
Commitment to internal democracy
The APC leadership repeatedly emphasised the importance of adhering to the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines during the conduct of the primaries. Party officials insisted that all aspirants must be given a fair opportunity to participate, while delegates and members were expected to exercise their voting rights freely and responsibly.
Yilwatda stated that the party remained committed to transparency and fairness throughout the exercise. He explained that where consensus arrangements proved impossible, democratic procedures should prevail in determining the candidates who would fly the party’s flag in future elections.
According to him, the APC’s priority was to ensure that every legitimate aspirant received equal treatment under the party’s rules.
Across several states, party stakeholders continued to hold meetings designed to foster unity, especially after the primaries. These consultations involved governors, lawmakers, former office-holders, traditional political leaders, youth representatives and women’s groups.
The objective, according to party insiders, was to minimise friction and preserve cohesion regardless of the outcomes produced by the electoral process.
Analysts say internal contests often serve as the first major test of a political party’s organisational capacity. Successful management of such contests can strengthen public confidence, while poorly handled primaries may generate disputes capable of affecting performance during general elections.
The APC chairman expressed satisfaction with reports received from various states, noting that many primary elections were conducted peacefully despite intense competition. He praised party officials, security agencies and electoral committees for their efforts in ensuring orderly exercises in different parts of the country.
He further stated that the party’s leadership remained determined to build on lessons learned from previous electoral cycles. According to him, mechanisms had been strengthened to improve co-ordination, logistics and communication among stakeholders participating in the primaries.
Consensus, competition, controversy
The issue of consensus candidacy has continued to generate debate within political circles. While some stakeholders argue that consensus helps reduce tension and campaign expenses, others maintain that open contests provide greater legitimacy and strengthen internal democracy.
APC officials have indicated that consensus arrangements can only be adopted where aspirants voluntarily agree and where the process complies with the party’s constitutional provisions.
Political commentators note that direct primaries, indirect primaries and consensus arrangements each present unique advantages and challenges.
Consequently, political parties often select methods they believe are most suitable to prevailing circumstances in various states and constituencies.
In recent weeks, reports of disagreements emerging from some primary contests circulated in sections of the media.
However, APC leaders insist that such disagreements are not unusual in a competitive political environment and should not automatically be interpreted as signs of crisis. The party leadership says established channels exist for addressing complaints and appeals from dissatisfied aspirants.
Yilwatda, however, assured members that grievances arising from the process would be handled through appropriate mechanisms, stressing that reconciliation remains a central objective of the party. He added that no effort would be spared in bringing together victorious candidates and unsuccessful contestants after the primaries.
According to party officials, reconciliation committees may be deployed where necessary to engage aggrieved stakeholders and preserve unity ahead of future electoral contests. Such committees have historically played significant roles in healing divisions and rebuilding trust among party members following highly competitive primaries.
The APC chairman also dismissed reports suggesting that the party’s National Working Committee had taken steps to nullify primary election results nationwide. Party leaders described such reports as inaccurate and urged members to rely on official communications issued through recognised channels.
They maintained that validly conducted primary elections remain binding unless credible evidence of irregularities emerges through established review procedures.
Reconciliation ahead future battles
This clarification was viewed by many observers as an attempt to calm tensions among aspirants and supporters who had expressed concerns regarding conflicting information circulating on social media platforms and other unofficial channels.
Political analysts believe that the APC’s ability to successfully manage post-primary reconciliation efforts could significantly influence its preparedness for future electoral battles.
Nigeria’s political history contains numerous examples in which internal disputes weakened parties before major elections, making reconciliation a strategic priority for party leaders.
The ruling party continues to face pressure from members who expect a transparent and inclusive process capable of producing credible candidates.
Many stakeholders argue that strong internal democracy enhances public confidence and strengthens a party’s moral authority when advocating democratic principles at the national level.
As the primaries are now over, attention remains focused on how party leaders will balance competing interests while preserving unity among diverse political tendencies within the APC. The challenge is particularly significant given the broad coalition of political actors that make up the party’s national structure.
For now, the APC leadership maintains that the primaries have largely demonstrated the resilience of the party and the enthusiasm of its members.
The chairman’s message has consistently centred on competition, fairness, unity and reconciliation—principles he says will guide the party as it prepares for future political contests across Nigeria.
With political activity expected to intensify in the coming months, stakeholders across the country will continue to monitor developments within the ruling party. Whether the primaries ultimately strengthen internal cohesion or generate fresh political challenges will depend largely on the effectiveness of reconciliation efforts and the willingness of party members to place collective interests above personal ambitions.
For millions of Nigerians observing the process, the APC primaries represent more than an internal party affair. They offer an important indication of how one of the country’s dominant political organisations intends to manage competition, resolve disputes and position itself for the next phase of Nigeria’s democratic journey.