By Clement John
ABUJA- Divergent strategies have emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of its governorship primaries for the 2027 elections, with Rivers State opting for a full direct primary system while Niger State is adopting a hybrid arrangement combining consensus-building with direct voting where necessary.
The positions became clearer on Wednesday as aspirants converged on Abuja to submit their expression of interest and nomination forms at the party’s national secretariat.
In Niger State, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, who is seeking re-election, described the process as a demonstration of internal democracy, commending President Bola Tinubu for ensuring adherence to due process within the party.
Bago said all aspirants would complete documentation, submit forms, and undergo screening before the primaries, stressing that no category of members would be exempted.
He also revealed that his nomination form was financed through contributions from local farmers in Niger State, which he described as a strong show of grassroots support.
“People who live from hand to mouth, because of some of the policies of this government, have been able to have more resources now on their own,” he said.
“They contributed money some gave 1,000, some 2,000 and raised over ₦150 million. About ₦50 million was used to buy the form.”
On the mode of primaries, the governor said the party would first pursue consensus-building across the state, with direct primaries serving as a fallback option.
“We are trying to build consensus across the state, but where consensus cannot be built, then we’ll go for direct primaries,” he said.
In Rivers State, however, APC governorship aspirant Tonye Patrick Cole insisted that only direct primaries would be used, saying no consensus arrangement exists in the state.
Cole, a former governorship candidate of the party in 2023, submitted his nomination forms in Abuja and maintained that the political situation in Rivers State does not support a consensus process.
“The consensus process in Rivers State does not exist. The only process that exists in Rivers State today is the direct primary,” he said.
He argued that consensus requires collective agreement among aspirants, which he said had not taken place.
Cole also dismissed concerns over the political weight of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who recently joined the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisting that all aspirants were on equal footing.
“There is no threat. I am not less than him, he is not higher than me. We are standing on equal pedestal,” he said.
He expressed confidence in his chances, describing himself as the aspirant best positioned to unite the party in Rivers State and consolidate its base.
“The best man will win,” he added.
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