The All Progressives Congress (APC) may be facing a significant internal crisis following the outcome of its primary elections at the governorship, national, and state houses of assembly levels. Although the ruling party has not yet released the final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections, some influential leaders have begun to express discontent. Ahead of the 2027 polls, the APC has started experiencing defections, including resignations from former speakers of state Houses of Assembly, due to the primaries.
Background of the Primaries
The 2027 general election is approaching, and political parties are preparing for the forthcoming poll. Nigeria is witnessing alignment and realignment ahead of the elections scheduled for January and February 2027, according to the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The ruling APC took the lead by conducting its primaries, but the outcome appears to have triggered an implosion within the party.
Resignations of Former Speakers
While the APC has yet to release its final list of candidates, some influential members, including federal and state lawmakers, have started resigning and defecting to other parties to pursue their ambitions. At least three former speakers of different state Houses of Assembly have resigned from the APC as a result of the primaries. They have joined opposition parties to actualize their 2027 aspirations after failing to secure their desired positions within the APC.
- Victor Ochei: The former speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly announced his resignation from the APC in a letter addressed to the party chairman at Ward 4 in Onicha Olona, Aniocha Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday, May 28, 2026. The resignation was effective immediately. Ochei thanked the ruling party for its support and cooperation during his time in the party.
- Idris Garba Kareka: The former speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly and serving lawmaker representing the Jahun State Constituency has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Kareka announced his defection on Tuesday, June 2, at a political rally in Jahun town, where he formally joined the PDP and declared his intention to seek re-election as the lawmaker representing the constituency in the Jigawa assembly.
- Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh: The former speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly first gained attention after resigning from his position in August 2025, citing the best interest of the state. During the APC primary for Gboko West in May 2026, Dajoh withdrew from the race, citing irregularities, imposition, and lack of transparency. He left the APC for the PDP on the same day.
Impact on APC's Prospects
The APC could face a major threat in the 2027 general elections due to the loss of bigwigs who failed to secure nominations in the party's primaries and have defected to other parties. At least two prominent sitting senators who could not return to the Senate because of the primaries have joined the opposition. Additionally, the APC has lost a prominent former deputy Senate president to the opposition after he lost at the party's primaries.
