The All Progressives Congress says it has finalized its list of candidates for the 2027 general elections and will not reopen the recently concluded primaries for review. The decision comes despite a wave of petitions and protests from aggrieved aspirants in several states who are contesting the outcome of the party’s internal polls.
Party officials argue that the primaries were conducted under approved guidelines and supervised by party and INEC observers. According to APC leadership, reopening the process would create uncertainty, delay preparations for 2027, and set a precedent that could undermine future internal elections. They insist that due process was followed, even where results were disputed.
The protests have been loud in multiple states, with dozens of aspirants alleging irregularities ranging from missing delegates’ lists to results announced in venues different from approved centers. Some supporters staged demonstrations at party secretariats, demanding cancellation and fresh elections. For them, the stakes are political careers and the party’s credibility at the grassroots.
APC’s National Working Committee, however, ruled that petitions will be treated as complaints rather than grounds for fresh primaries. The party says it will engage aggrieved members through reconciliation committees and offer roles in campaigns and governance if elected. The message: the candidate list stands, but party unity remains the goal.
The decision has implications for APC’s 2027 strategy. With candidates now known, the party can shift focus to voter mobilization, manifesto development, and alliance-building. But political analysts note that unresolved grievances can weaken turnout and fuel defections. How APC manages dissent inside its ranks may determine whether the list becomes a strength or a fault line.
Electoral law gives parties wide latitude to regulate internal affairs, but INEC will still vet candidates and handle nomination forms when the timetable is released. Courts also remain an option for aspirants who believe due process was breached. Several party members are expected to test that route in the coming weeks.
As 2027 approaches, APC is betting that finality will bring stability. Aggrieved aspirants are betting that pressure will force concessions. The next few months will show whether reconciliation or litigation shapes the party’s path to the polls. One thing is clear: the list is out, the arguments are not over.
