Disadvantages of What Tinubu Told APC Governors Behind Closed Doors.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu Democracy Newsline Northern Bureau Chief
April 25, 2026
The closed-door meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC governors may appear strategic on the surface, but beneath it lies a number of serious disadvantages that could destabilize the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
By rejecting imposed consensus and promoting direct primaries, the President has unintentionally opened the floodgates for intense internal rivalries. Instead of unity, APC may witness widespread factionalism, as governors, senators, and aspirants battle for control. This could fracture party structures across states.
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Investigation conducted by Democracy Newsline Newspaper gathered that when aspirants feel cheated or sidelined during direct primaries, they often resort to anti-party actions. This includes secretly supporting opposition candidates or sabotaging party campaigns. Such behavior weakens electoral strength and damages party credibility.
The tension between governors and sitting senators—especially those seeking to retain their seats—creates a fertile ground for defections. Aggrieved politicians who lose out in primaries may move to opposition parties, strengthening rivals while weakening APC from within.
While direct primaries promote fairness, they also expose incumbent officeholders to serious challenges. Governors, senators, and House members may lose their tickets to new aspirants. This could result in the party losing experienced politicians and established political machinery.
Conducting direct primaries nationwide is costly and complex. It requires massive coordination, funding, and security. Poorly managed primaries could lead to disputes, court cases, and even cancellation of results—further destabilizing the party.
The struggle between governors aiming for Senate seats and incumbent senators defending their positions may escalate into open political warfare. This power tussle can divide party loyalists and weaken APC’s overall cohesion at both state and national levels.
All these internal conflicts—if not carefully managed—could significantly reduce APC’s chances in the 2027 elections. A divided party often struggles against a united opposition, making the “fire on the mountain” scenario very real.
Although the President warned against indiscipline, enforcing it may prove difficult. Powerful political figures at state levels may ignore directives, leading to inconsistent application of rules and further erosion of party authority.
Direct primaries often lead to allegations of manipulation and irregularities. This could result in numerous court cases, delaying candidate confirmations and distracting the party from preparing for the general elections.
While the intention behind the President’s directive may be to promote fairness and internal democracy, the approach carries significant risks. If not carefully managed, it could trigger internal chaos, weaken party unity, and ultimately cost APC victory in 2027.
In essence, what was meant to strengthen the party may instead expose deep cracks—turning strategy into a potential political liability.
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, APRIL 26TH 2026)
