If you have been following APC news in 2026, you have probably seen two words dominating the headlines—consensus and direct primaries. The party is currently in the middle of its candidate selection process for the 2027 elections, and the tension is real. The APC initially pushed for consensus in many states to reduce internal fighting, but that plan has hit serious opposition. The result? A messy, high-stakes battle that will determine who flies the party’s flag in the next general elections.
What the Electoral Act 2026 Says
Before we dive into the drama, it is important to understand the legal framework. The Electoral Act, 2026, which provides the rules for the 2027 general elections, allows political parties to adopt either consensus or direct primaries. However, there is a catch. Section 87 of the Act clearly states that consensus can only work if all cleared aspirants give their written consent indicating that they are voluntarily withdrawing and endorsing a single candidate. If even one aspirant refuses to step down, the party must revert to direct primaries.
This provision gives individual aspirants effective veto power. Party leaders cannot simply impose a consensus candidate if even one person says no. As Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele explained, the system is designed to prevent under-the-table arrangements—even a single dissenting voice can nullify a consensus agreement and trigger a full direct primary.
How the 2026 Primaries Are Playing Out
The APC began 2026 with a push for consensus in several states, believing it would reduce internal contestation and present a united front for the 2027 elections. But the plan has largely failed. Across at least twelve states, aspirants have rejected consensus arrangements, insisting on open, competitive primaries.
In Yobe State, Governor Mai Mala Buni reportedly endorsed former Secretary to the State Government, Wali, as the consensus governorship candidate. But other aspirants, including Kashim Musa Tumsah, former Inspector-General Usman Alkali Baba, and Senator Ibrahim Bomai, all purchased and submitted nomination forms. Tumsah argued that consensus must comply with the Electoral Act and warned against elite-driven selection processes that exclude others. Usman Alkali Baba was even more direct: “If I believed in any consensus, I wouldn’t be here.”
In Nasarawa State, Senator Aliyu Wadada emerged as Governor Abdullahi Sule’s preferred consensus candidate. But former Inspector-General Mohammed Adamu rejected the arrangement outright, saying: “We are not considering the issue of consensus because we are in this contest to win.” Similarly, Dr Fatima Abdullahi expressed a strong preference for direct primaries, arguing that consensus is impractical given that over six aspirants have already bought forms.
Benue State has also seen resistance. Efforts by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, to encourage consensus involving Governor Hyacinth Alia have been rejected by other aspirants like Dr Mathias Byuan. Byuan argued: “The Electoral Act says something different. We have to go to the field. I bought a form, and the governor and I will test the grounds. If he is popular, let him win. If I’m popular, I will win.”
In Gombe State, Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje rejected the consensus arrangement, calling it non-inclusive. His colleague, Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali, described the emergence of a consensus candidate as undemocratic and inconsistent with the Electoral Act. Former Minister of Communications, Prof Isa Pantami, also vowed to challenge the process. Similar resistance has been reported in Adamawa, Kwara, Bauchi, Sokoto, Zamfara, Oyo, and Kano states.
APC Leadership Responds
Despite the growing opposition, APC leaders have defended consensus where it works. In Borno State, Governor Babagana Zulum backed consensus as the preferred method for selecting candidates, stressing that it strengthens party unity. He noted that where consensus fails, the party would resort to direct primaries. He also announced that aspirants who voluntarily withdraw would be considered for appointments at state and federal levels to manage grievances.
APC chieftain Farouk Aliyu acknowledged that some aspirants will be disappointed but said the party has a mechanism to manage broken hearts through dialogue, promises, and possible appointments. He stated: “Where the hearts are broken, we’ll try to mend them with good words, promises, also appointments and so on.”
However, for the presidential ticket, the APC National Working Committee has already confirmed that direct primaries will be used. This means President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other aspirants will have to face registered party members across all 8,809 wards.
The Shift to Direct Primaries
By mid-May 2026, it became clear that consensus had largely collapsed. The APC ditched the consensus arrangement and began direct primaries nationwide from Friday, May 15, to pick candidates for the 2027 elections. The move triggered Section 87(2) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires a return to direct primaries where consensus fails.
This marks a major shift. For the first time since 2015, the ruling party is placing its fate in the hands of registered members at the ward level. The direct primaries are scheduled across all 8,809 wards, making this one of the most expansive intra-party ballots the APC has conducted. The party tried direct primaries in Osun and Ekiti in 2018 with mixed results—less delegate manipulation but logistical nightmares, allegations of vote buying, and parallel primaries in some areas. Scaling that to the entire country is a different proposition entirely.
What This Means for Party Members
For ordinary APC members, the shift to direct primaries means your vote actually matters. The leverage now shifts away from governors and power brokers to registered members at the ward level. Incumbents with genuine grassroots support stand to gain because they can mobilise ward by ward without relying on state governors. But the process also creates risks—allegations of vote buying, parallel primaries, and post-primary litigation could weaken the party before the general elections.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between consensus and direct primaries in the APC?
Consensus means all aspirants agree to endorse one candidate without holding a primary election. Direct primaries involve all registered APC members voting to choose the party’s candidate. The Electoral Act 2026 requires written consent from every aspirant for a consensus arrangement to be valid.
2. Why did the APC’s consensus plan fail in many states?
The consensus plan failed because aspirants in states like Yobe, Nasarawa, Benue, Gombe, and others refused to step down. Under the Electoral Act, if even one aspirant does not agree to consensus, the party must conduct direct primaries.
3. When are the APC primaries taking place?
The direct primaries began on May 15, 2026, and are taking place across all 8,809 wards nationwide. The presidential primaries are scheduled for May 23, 2026.
4. What happens to aspirants who lose in the primaries?
APC leaders have said they have mechanisms to manage grievances, including dialogue, promises, and possible appointments. Governor Zulum of Borno State also announced that aspirants who voluntarily withdraw from contests would be considered for appointments.
5. Can the party leadership impose a consensus candidate if aspirants disagree?
No. The Electoral Act 2026 is clear—consensus requires the written consent of every cleared aspirant. If any aspirant refuses to step down, the party must conduct direct primaries.
