By NIyi Jacobs
A fresh wave of political tension is sweeping through the All Progressives Congress (APC) as recent defections into the party spark a deepening internal crisis ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At the heart of the unrest is an intensifying struggle for control between newly defected governors—many believed to be aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—and long-standing party loyalists who have built the APC structure over the years. The clash is largely centered on who controls party machinery at the state level and, ultimately, who secures party tickets for the المقبلة elections.
Insiders within the party say the influx of high-profile defectors has unsettled existing power arrangements, with new entrants reportedly pushing to install loyalists into key leadership positions across state chapters. This move has been met with stiff resistance from established members, who argue that they are being sidelined despite their years of loyalty and contribution to the party’s growth.
The situation is particularly tense in states such as Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers, Plateau, Bayelsa, and Enugu, where parallel meetings, factional alignments, and disputes over party leadership have become increasingly common. In some instances, party stakeholders have warned that the imposition of candidates or the granting of automatic tickets to defectors could trigger wider unrest.
A party chieftain in Akwa Ibom described the development as a dangerous divide, noting that the APC in the state is now split into two competing blocs. He cautioned that any attempt to favor one group over the other could destabilize the party ahead of the The growing friction is also casting uncertainty over the political future of the defected governors themselves, as resistance from entrenched party structures may complicate their chances of clinching party nominations.
Meanwhile, the APC national leadership is said to be engaging in behind-the-scenes consultations aimed at managing the crisis and preventing a full-blown fallout. However, party insiders warn that unless a clear and fair framework for power-sharing and candidate selection is established, the situation could escalate further.
With political maneuvering for 2027 already underway, analysts believe the outcome of this internal struggle will play a decisive role in shaping the APC’s unity, electoral strength, and overall prospects in the next general elections
