By Seyi Odewale
Fresh tensions have erupted within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following disputed National Assembly primaries, intensifying internal power struggles ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Findings by our correspondent revealed that the crisis, affecting several APC-controlled states, revolves around allegations of candidate imposition, manipulation of primary processes and the marginalisation of federal lawmakers believed to enjoy the backing of the Presidency.
Party insiders disclosed that influential figures linked to the Presidential Villa had quietly supported the return of some first-term lawmakers considered loyal to President Bola Tinubu and supportive of his administration’s policies in the National Assembly.
However, several governors were said to have resisted the move and instead pushed to install loyalists in strategic legislative positions across their states.
One of the states at the centre of the controversy is Cross River, where Governor Bassey Otu is alleged to have overseen sweeping changes during the APC primaries that resulted in the displacement of several serving House of Representatives members.
Those reportedly affected include Reps Bassey Akiba of Calabar Municipality/Odukpani, Emil Inyang of Akamkpa/Biase, Dr Alex Egbona of Yakurr/Abi, Mike Etaba of Obubra/Etung and Godwin Offiono of Ogoja/Yala federal constituencies.
At the senatorial level, the emergence of former Commissioner for Special Duties, Oden Ewa, as APC candidate for Cross River Central Senatorial District also generated controversy within the party.
Sources alleged that Senator Eteng Jonah Williams was edged out of the contest despite his incumbency and perceived closeness to the Presidency.
Aggrieved stakeholders maintained that neither transparent direct primaries nor credible consensus arrangements were conducted before the candidates emerged.
“In many places, there were no real primaries,” a senior APC source told our correspondent.
“Election materials were allegedly hijacked, committee members isolated and names of preferred candidates simply written and announced.”
The development has sparked outrage among party loyalists, with growing fears that the fallout could weaken the APC ahead of the 2027 polls.
Investigations further revealed that similar complaints emerged from Kaduna, Delta and Ebonyi states, where governors were also accused of sidelining incumbent lawmakers believed to be sympathetic to the Presidency.
The controversy has reportedly heightened tension among members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), governors, and officials associated with the Presidential Monitoring Committee, which is said to be coordinated by President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Sources at the APC national secretariat disclosed that governors have intensified lobbying efforts to ensure their preferred candidates make the final list submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
But supporters of the Presidency argued that the large-scale displacement of lawmakers could destabilise the National Assembly and weaken legislative backing for the Tinubu administration.
Reacting to the controversy, a party stakeholder, Comrade Okon Asuquo, appealed to the Presidency and APC leadership to intervene in favour of some affected lawmakers.
“Please, we want the Presidency and the party leadership to protect some of the affected incumbents,” he said.
“They have served the state and the party diligently and should be considered for automatic tickets.”
