Endorsement Politics and Courtroom Battles Raise Questions Over APC Internal Democracy

AS the All Progressives Congress intensifies preparations for the 2027 elections, emerging disputes from party primaries across Nigeria are drawing renewed attention to longstanding concerns over internal democracy, candidate imposition and political power struggles within the ruling party.

Recent developments in Delta State — where APC leaders praised peaceful House of Representatives primaries even as protests erupted over alleged endorsement arrangements — have become the latest chapter in a broader national pattern of intra-party conflicts.

Political analysts say the issues surfacing in Delta resemble earlier disputes in Kano, Rivers, Zamfara, Ogun and Lagos states, where internal crises escalated into court battles, factional divisions and electoral setbacks.

Delta’s “Peaceful” Primaries Mask Underlying Tensions

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other party officials described the Delta APC primaries as peaceful, transparent and orderly.

The primaries produced candidates including Rt. Hon. Ndudi Elumelu in Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Hon. Ejiro Waive in Ughelli North/Ughelli South/Udu Federal Constituency and Hon. Jonathan Ukodhiko in Isoko Federal Constituency.

However, controversies emerged in Isoko North, where aspirants protested moves to endorse a sole candidate for the House of Assembly race.

The protest disrupted proceedings and highlighted growing dissatisfaction among aspirants who believe endorsement politics is increasingly replacing competitive primaries.

Observers say such tensions often reflect deeper struggles for control of party structures and access to political influence.

How APC’s Internal Crises Became a National Pattern

Over the years, APC primaries across Nigeria have repeatedly generated disputes involving delegates, consensus arrangements, zoning disagreements and allegations of manipulation.

Kano State

Kano has remained one of the APC’s most politically volatile states.

The rivalry between factions loyal to Abdullahi Ganduje and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso contributed to years of internal fragmentation before Kwankwaso eventually left the APC.

Several court cases emerged over party congresses, delegate legitimacy and leadership control.

Rivers State

In Rivers, prolonged legal battles between rival APC factions weakened the party’s ability to effectively challenge opponents during successive election cycles.

Disputes involving former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi and other party stakeholders created multiple parallel structures within the state chapter.

Zamfara State

Perhaps the most damaging example came in 2019 when the Supreme Court ruled that APC failed to conduct valid primaries in Zamfara State.

The judgment cost the party the governorship, National Assembly seats and state assembly positions despite APC candidates winning at the polls.

Lagos State

Lagos APC has also witnessed repeated accusations of candidate imposition and delegate manipulation, particularly during local government and legislative primaries.

Several aggrieved aspirants challenged outcomes through party appeals and court processes.

Timeline of Key APC Primary Disputes

2018–2019

• Parallel primaries emerge in Ogun, Rivers and Zamfara.
• Supreme Court nullifies APC victories in Zamfara over invalid primaries.

2020–2022

• Congress disputes erupt in Kano, Rivers and Akwa Ibom.
• Several aspirants challenge delegate selection procedures.

2023 Elections

• Internal grievances surface over presidential, governorship and legislative tickets.
• Multiple pre-election suits filed nationwide.

2025–2026

• Fresh tensions emerge ahead of the 2027 elections.
• Endorsement controversies and fears of candidate imposition intensify across state chapters.

The Role of Courts in Nigerian Party Politics

Legal analysts say Nigerian courts have become increasingly influential in shaping electoral outcomes because political parties often fail to resolve disputes internally.

Pre-election matters involving forged documents, delegate disputes, invalid congresses and exclusion from primaries now dominate court dockets before major elections.

Several judgments over the years have reinforced the principle that political parties must obey their constitutions and electoral guidelines during candidate selection.

Yet, analysts argue that many parties continue to prioritise political calculations over transparent democratic processes.

Consensus or Imposition?

Supporters of consensus candidacy argue that it reduces internal conflict, lowers campaign expenses and strengthens party unity.

Critics, however, insist that consensus often benefits powerful political blocs while marginalising grassroots members and younger aspirants.

In Delta and several other states, resistance to endorsement arrangements reflects growing frustration among aspirants who believe party elites are narrowing democratic space within internal contests.

Implications for the 2027 Elections

Political observers warn that unresolved internal disputes could affect APC’s cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.

Although the party continues to maintain strong structures nationally, analysts say internal fragmentation remains one of its greatest political vulnerabilities.

The outcome of ongoing disputes — whether resolved through reconciliation or litigation — may shape not only candidate emergence but also voter confidence in the party’s internal democratic processes.

For many within the APC, the challenge ahead is no longer simply winning elections, but managing the competing ambitions and internal pressures threatening party stability nationwide.