The North-Central All Progressives Congress Forum has opposed proposals requiring sitting governors seeking re-election to participate in party primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the forum described incumbent governors as the party’s strongest political assets, arguing that subjecting them to primaries would be counterproductive.
The position contrasts with recent remarks credited to the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who reportedly stated that there would be no automatic tickets for governors and other officeholders seeking a second term.
Responding to this stance, the forum maintained that since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, presidents and governors seeking re-election have traditionally secured their party tickets without contest.
“It will amount to grave disrespect to the Office of the Governor. The biggest assets of the party are the President and the state governors,” the forum said.
“Allowing party members to contest against them in primaries not only undermines their office but also threatens the stability of the party.”
The forum warned that compelling incumbent governors to face internal contests could weaken the APC and hand strategic advantage to opposition parties during the general elections.
“Opening up governorship tickets where there are sitting governors will breed division, bad blood and internal crisis,” the statement noted.
“Some individuals may participate in primaries not to win but to destabilise the party.”
Citing precedent, the forum recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari and several APC governors seeking re-election in 2019 were returned unopposed.
“If that approach worked in the past, there is no justification for changing it now,” the forum argued.
However, the group clarified that party primaries remain necessary in states where governors have completed their tenure and are no longer eligible to contest.
“Where a governor has served out his term and a new administration is expected, primaries are appropriate—but not for a sitting governor seeking a second term,” the statement said.
The forum also rejected calls for the APC’s National Working Committee to withhold party structures from incumbent governors ahead of congresses.
While a former Deputy National Chairman of the APC, Yekini Nabena, had warned that handing over party structures to governors could alienate grassroots members, the forum disagreed.
“Governors are the leaders of the party in their respective states, and the party structure naturally rests with them,” it said.
“Any attempt to alter this arrangement will be resisted and could plunge the party into crisis.”
The forum urged the APC leadership to avoid actions capable of destabilising the party as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify.
