The North-Central APC Forum has rejected the idea of requiring sitting governors to participate in primaries ahead of the 2027 elections, stating that they are essential assets to the party.
The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has formally opposed calls for sitting governors to face primary elections in the lead-up to the 2027 elections. This position was articulated in a statement signed by the Forum's Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, emphasizing that the governors are seen as the 'biggest assets' of the party. Thus, the Forum argues that it would be inappropriate and damaging to the party's integrity to subject these key figures to the uncertainty of a primary election.
The National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, had indicated that there would be no automatic tickets for incumbents, which the North-Central Forum has directly countered. Highlighting a historical precedent, the Forum reminded party leaders that since Nigeria adopted democratic governance in 1999, it has been customary for sitting presidents and governors seeking re-election to do so without contesting in primaries, pointing out that such practices are essential for maintaining party unity and stability.
The APC Forum warns that enforcing primary elections could result in significant destabilization within the party, potentially creating fractures that would allow opposition parties to capitalize on any intra-party divisions. They assert that to compel sitting governors to fight for their party tickets would not only disrespect the office they hold but also compromise the APC's chances in upcoming elections, especially against a backdrop of competitive political maneuvering in Nigeria's evolving electoral landscape.
