Internal Turmoil Grips APC in Key States Amid Rising Factionalism and Legal Disputes

Despite holding power at the federal level and in 23 states, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing increasing internal crises across multiple state chapters, threatening the party’s unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

From Lagos and Rivers to Benue, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom, the ruling party is battling factional disputes, leadership tussles, and allegations of imposition that have raised concerns within the party hierarchy. These internal conflicts have prompted interventions from the APC national leadership, as the party struggles to maintain its political dominance amid growing challenges from within.

Cracks Widen Despite High-Profile Defections

Although the APC has recently welcomed prominent opposition figures into its ranks, fresh anxiety looms over the potential defection of long-time party loyalists — particularly those with roots in the legacy parties such as the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

The recent resignation of former National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje has deepened leadership instability, particularly in Kano, while internal rifts in Lagos, Benue, and Rivers continue to escalate.

Lagos: Factions Clash Over Party Chairmanship

In Lagos, a power tussle between the two dominant blocs in the APC — the Justice Forum and the Mandate Group — has fueled a push to oust the state chairman, Cornelius Ojelabi. Critics allege he has favored one faction over others, particularly during the selection of candidates for the July 12 local government elections.

Protests erupted at the state assembly, with aggrieved party members accusing Ojelabi of candidate imposition and exclusion. A member of the influential Governor’s Advisory Council, Chief Muraina Taiwo, backed calls for Ojelabi’s removal, warning that continued bias could hurt the party’s chances in 2027.

Despite the chairman dismissing the protests as baseless, the crisis has exposed deepening fractures within the party’s structure in Lagos — a state long considered the stronghold of President Bola Tinubu.

Rivers: Dual Chairmanship Sparks Legal Showdown

In Rivers State, the APC is grappling with a protracted leadership conflict following the suspension of Emeka Beke by the party’s National Working Committee, which later recognized Tony Okocha as state chairman. However, Beke was reinstated by a court ruling, setting off a legal and political standoff.

Beke recently visited the newly appointed APC national chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, in Abuja, raising concerns over the continued recognition of Okocha despite the court’s decision. Tensions rose further after the APC conducted primaries for the upcoming August 30 local elections, with allegations that loyalists of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike — some of them PDP members — emerged as APC candidates.

Okocha’s camp insists there is no faction, citing his legitimate emergence through party congresses. But Beke’s supporters accuse the national leadership of ignoring court rulings and enabling Wike to undermine the party’s integrity in the state.

Benue: Governor, SGF Face Off in Deepening Rift

In Benue, APC is effectively split between Governor Hyacinth Alia and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume. Two rival leaderships have emerged — one loyal to Alia, the other to Akume — with court judgments favoring the SGF-backed faction, led by Austin Agada.

Although President Tinubu had called for reconciliation during a condolence visit in June, no substantial steps have been taken. The Alia-backed faction views the governor’s brief visit to Akume as a step forward, but Akume’s allies insist the governor has not demonstrated genuine commitment to reconciliation.

There are also speculations that former governors Samuel Ortom and Gabriel Suswam are backing opposing camps, further complicating the situation.

Akwa Ibom: Power Struggle Between Old and New Members

In Akwa Ibom, internal discord is emerging between long-standing APC members and recent defectors who joined the party alongside the state governor. The older bloc fears marginalization, especially amid talk of automatic tickets for the new entrants during upcoming party congresses.

Party insiders warn that favoring newcomers could trigger mass defections, noting that the party was supposed to undergo a merger, not a hostile takeover. They argue that excluding the original members from elective and party leadership positions would be politically damaging.