Public affairs analyst Dayo Akintobi has expressed concern over the growing tensions within the All Progressives Congress following controversies surrounding the party’s ongoing primaries across the country.
Akintobi spoke during an interview from 2:58 on Channels Television’s Morning Brief programme on Monday, May 18, 2026, while reacting to reports of fierce contests among APC aspirants, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory senatorial race.
Responding to a question on whether the developments were a source of concern for the APC, Akintobi said the warning signs had been evident even before the primaries commenced.
“Well, yes without a doubt there’s got to be some concern. Because even in the run-up to the primaries we could already see that it was going to be contentious,” he said.
The analyst noted that disagreements within the ruling party had largely revolved around the issue of “consensus versus imposition,” arguing that the process adopted in several instances appeared inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“As you know, the 2026 Electoral Act gave only two ways of conducting primaries either through consensus or through direct primaries. And it gives specific instructions on how the consensus will play out,” Akintobi stated.
He, however, alleged that the APC’s handling of the process had left many aspirants dissatisfied. “But the way it’s been happening in the APC has been a bit contrary to what electoral act dictates. And has left a lot of aspirants with a bitter taste in their mouths,” he added.
According to him, influential figures within the party had allegedly determined who eventually emerged as candidates, without securing the consent of other aspirants involved in the race.
“Because the powers that be within the APC have been the ones who have been selecting who the ultimate ticket holder will be would be, without the acquiescence of the other aspirants,” he said.
Akintobi further explained that the situation had triggered resistance among some aspirants, many of whom refused to step down for candidates believed to have been endorsed by the party leadership.
“So you see a lot of people refusing to step down, refusing to endorse the candidate that is anointed by the party and insist on going for a bruising direct primary,” he said.
He concluded that the internal disagreements had created tension within the party ahead of the elections, adding that the conflicts eventually manifested during the primaries conducted in different parts of the country.
“So going into the election there was already strife. There was already tension going into the primaries. And we saw that play out in different places across the country,” Akintobi stated….Read_More…