Mixed reactions have trailed the outcome of the All Progressives Congress (APC) congresses which held on Tuesday across the states.

Our correspondents report that though most of the candidates emerged through consensus arrangements there are grievances trailing the conduct of the congress in many of the states.

Our correspondents report parallel congresses in some; allegations of imposition of candidates in others; conflicts between new and old members in states where the governors recently defected to the party and the importation of former opposition party members to take over the structure of the party in deference to the governors.

In Ondo State, the crisis rocking the state chapter took a dramatic turn as the party went ahead with its state congress despite a subsisting restraining order issued by a Federal High Court sitting in Akure, the state capital.

A former member of the House of Representatives, Kolawole Babatunde, on Tuesday emerged as the new Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State.

Babatunde, alongside 35 other members of the State Working Committee, emerged through consensus and affirmation at the state congress of the party held at the International Centre for Culture and Events in Akure, the state capital.

The court had earlier granted an interim injunction restraining the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), from conducting the congress pending the hearing and determination of a suit filed by aggrieved members who challenged the process leading to the exercise.

Uneasy calm in Benue

Uneasy calm have trailed the just concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) state congress separately held in Benue State following the emergence of two executives.

Our correspondent reports that 24-hours after the faction loyal to Governor Hyacinth Alia elected a new state executive headed by Benjamin Omale to pilot the affairs of the party for the next four years, the atmosphere remained peaceful in the state.

Similarly, those backed by Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who reaffirmed the Comrade Austin Agada-led state executive committee for another four years term following the party’s state congress held across the country on Tuesday, have also maintained decorum.

James Ornguga, the State Organising Secretary of the Omale-led executive has said there were no factions of the APC in the state as it was obvious that their exercise was conducted under the watch of its national secretariat’s committee.

In the same vein, State Organising Secretary of the Agada-led executive, Morgan Ihomun maintained that their exercise remained peaceful and orderly, saying it reflected unity within the Benue APC and loyalty to the party’s national leadership.

Guber aspirant disappointed in Nasarawa

A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and chairman of the Counter and Mobilization Committee of former IGP Mohammed Adamu Abubakar’s campaign organization, Isa Nathaniel, has expressed disappointment and surprise over the outcome of the APC state congress, which saw Aliyu Bello elected as the new state chairman through consensus.

Speaking to Daily Trust, Nathaniel who hails from Nasarawa North Senatorial District, stated that the people of the zone are not pleased with the outcome, as they had expected the chairmanship to go to their zone.

“We are surprised that most of the people of Nasarawa North Senatorial District are not pleased because all eyes were on the party, knowing fully well that it is our time, the people of Nasarawa North, to produce the state chairman of the party,” Nathaniel said.

A prominent member of APC from Lafia, Hassan Hamza, hailed the election of we Bello as the new state chairman of the party, saying it was the right decision for the party.

Hamza said the election of Bello from the southern zone was done in the interest of the party and the state, with input from all stakeholders, including Governor Abdullahi Sule.

Kaduna: Former exco member alleges discrimination

In Kaduna, a former State Executive Committee (Exco) member of the party expressed dissatisfaction over his removal and warned of possible challenges ahead of the party primaries.

The former official who prefers anonymity said he remains a member of the party despite being removed from his position, stressing that due process was not followed.

Consensus not democratic – Prof Fage

Professor Kamilu Sani Fage, political analyst and professor of Political Science at Bayero University Kano (BUK), has described the outcome of the just-concluded APC state congresses where most winners emerged through consensus rather than direct election, as troubling for Nigeria’s democratic process.

Speaking to Daily Trust, Professor Fage argued that consensus arrangements undermine democracy by silencing dissenting voices.

“You see, the issue of consensus, if you look at it closely, it’s not democratic. Some powerful figures bulldoze their way, making it appear as if everybody agrees. But democracy requires dissenting views. What we are seeing is a rat race to endorse the presidency,” he said.

Professor Fage also warned that the reliance on consensus could erode internal party democracy and affect the credibility of future elections.

‘What the law says’

A Kano-based lawyer, Barrister Kamilu Ahmad-Paki explained that political

parties are permitted to adopt consensus or indirect primaries instead of direct primaries.

Citing Section 88 of the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended), the legal luminary however said that it could only be adopted under strict conditions.

He said, “The conditions, based on the sections of the law said all candidates must give written consent to the consensus, candidates must agree to withdraw if one emerges as the consensus choice, written agreement must bar complaints or litigation after consensus is reached and all candidates must support the chosen candidate once consensus is sealed.”

According to him, if these conditions are met, APC’s adoption of consensus would stand legally without triggering disputes.

APC reacts

APC national publicity secretary, Felix Muoka while recating to the outcome of the congresses said it is normal to have such disagreements in such exercises.

He stated in a TV interview monitored by our correspondent that “It’s a massive system to manage. No system is entirely perfect. We are not and we have never told anyone that we’re perfect.

“We’re not. We’re citizens, we’re Nigerians, we’re human beings and we’re liable to our own errors. But however what is important here is that our party has delivered a congress that we can say has been largely peaceful and cohesive.”

Aliero asks supporters to remain calm

Following his absence and two other Senators from Kebbi North and South Senatorial Districts at the Congress of the APC held in Birnin kebbi on Tuesday, Senator Adamu Aliero has called on his supporters in kebbi Central to remain calm while the issue on the congress is resolved.

It would be recalled that the three senators representing Kebbi North,South and Central Senatorial District, Senator Aliero, Dr Abdullahi Yahaya and Musa Maidoki were absent at the APC Congress held at the FIFA stadium, Goru in Birnin kebbi on Tuesday. The Senator spoke through one legislative aides, Faruku Udulu while distributing 12,000 bags of rice to people of the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.

Doguwa returns as Kano APC chair

In Kano, Umar Haruna Doguwa has emerged as the Chairman of the Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), following a consensus arrangement adopted at the party’s State Congress held in Kano.

Doguwa’s emergence marks a return to the position 10 years after he previously served as state chairman of the party.

The congress took place at the Sani Abacha Indoor Stadium, Kano.

Peaceful in Jigawa

Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi, has expressed satisfaction over the successful conduct of the congress in the state, describing the exercise as peaceful, orderly and devoid of disputes. (Daily Trust)

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