APC Primaries: Tinubu Issues Stern Warning Against Rancour, Do-Or-Die Politics

Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to prioritise unity, fairness and sportsmanship as the party commences its nationwide primary elections ahead of the 2027 general elections. However, even before the first ballots are cast, the exercise has been marked by a last-minute schedule change, growing resistance to consensus arrangements in several states, and allegations of intimidation in at least one senatorial district. In a personally signed statement released on Thursday, President Tinubu described the primaries as “a referendum on our unity, resilience and strength as a party” and “an opportunity to renew the bond and ideals that we share.” The President noted that the APC, which he co-founded on “the firm principles of progressive politics, consensus democracy, and personal devotion and sacrifice,” is now entering its fourth election cycle.

In a development that emerged shortly after the President’s statement, the APC National Secretariat announced the postponement of the House of Representatives primary election, initially scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2026. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, confirmed in a late Thursday statement that the exercise will now hold on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The party did not provide an official reason for the adjustment. However, multiple reports indicate that logistical challenges and ongoing disagreements over consensus arrangements in various states contributed to the decision. The revised timetable is as follows: House of Representatives on Saturday, May 16, 2026; Senate on Monday, May 18, 2026; State House of Assembly on Wednesday, May 20, 2026; Governorship on Thursday, May 21, 2026; and the Presidential primary on Saturday, May 23, 2026. The party confirmed that all other previously announced dates remain unchanged.

READ ALSO:

• Why Peter Obi May Struggle to Retain South-East Support in 2027 – Okonkwo
• Court Remands Islamic Cleric for Allegedly Raping 14-Year-Old Girl in Ondo
• Shakira, Burna Boy Unveil Official 2026 FIFA World Cup Anthem

President Tinubu acknowledged ongoing consultations among party leaders aimed at producing consensus candidates in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and the APC constitution. He described the consensus option as “commendable” and one that would help “in reducing rancour and bad blood among party members.” Noting the “impressive progress” made in consensus arrangements, the President encouraged party members to “make the most of this window to ensure a seamless process and a more unified party.” However, he cautioned the party’s National Working Committee, governors and state chapter executives against the imposition of favoured candidates, insisting on a level playing field for all aspirants.

Despite the President’s endorsement of consensus, reports indicate that the arrangement is facing widespread rejection across multiple states, potentially forcing the party to conduct direct primaries in several regions. In Yobe State, a consensus arrangement reportedly endorsed by Governor Mai Mala Buni and former Senate President Ahmed Lawan has been strongly opposed by other governorship aspirants, including Kashim Musa Tumsah, former Inspector-General of Police Usman Alkali Baba, and Senator Ibrahim Bomai. Tumsah insisted that consensus must strictly comply with Section 87 of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires the written consent of all cleared aspirants for a consensus candidate to emerge. “Consensus does not mean one or two people sitting in a room to select whoever they want as the party’s candidate,” Tumsah declared. Similar resistance has been reported in Benue, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Gombe, Kwara, Oyo, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano, and Bauchi states, where aspirants have rejected proposed consensus arrangements and are insisting on direct primaries. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has defended the consensus provision, noting that “the law is rigid; even a single dissenting voice can nullify a consensus agreement and trigger a full direct primary.”

Where consensus arrangements fail, President Tinubu urged all participants to approach the primaries with maturity and discipline. “Election is an essential ingredient of democracy. Where consensus fails, I urge us all to go into the primaries as brothers and sisters,” he stated. The President warned that the party could not afford “rancorous conduct or the debasement of our democracy and party unity,” adding that all participants “must keep the peace and be ready to play as sportsmen and women in the overall interest of the party and our country.” Offering counsel to both winners and losers, Tinubu said: “In every contest, there will be a winner and a loser. I urge the winners not to gloat in victory and the losers to show sportsmanship by taking things in their stride and preparing for another time.” He further warned against a return to “the do-or-die politics that we have put behind us,” stressing that “politics should never be a zero-sum game.” The President called on winners and party leaders at all levels to reach out to those who did not succeed “with olive branches” and to prioritise reconciliation to strengthen internal cohesion. He noted that losers who feel aggrieved have the opportunity to appeal to the party’s committees set up for redress. In a pointed warning to party members, President Tinubu stated: “Our opponents are waiting for us to be against each other; we should disappoint them. The ultimate winners are those who don’t choose to wreck the boat but rather work to prepare for another round.”

President Tinubu issued a clear directive to the party leadership, governors and other leaders to ensure fairness throughout the primary process. “You must rise above sentiment to offer all aspirants a level playing field that guarantees participation without let or hindrance,” he directed. He added: “While only one person will win for every seat contested, we should give eventual losers the satisfaction of a fair contest.”

The President made a special appeal for greater inclusion of women and youth in politics, urging delegates and leaders to give them special consideration during the primaries. “The inclusion of women and youth is dear to my heart. I appeal to voters in the primaries and leaders at all levels to give special consideration to our women and youth in the contest,” he said, adding that the APC “cannot afford to relegate the two significant demographics of our population.” This appeal aligns with similar commitments made by state governors. In Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodimma recently assured that women and youths would receive priority consideration during the primaries in line with United Nations recommendations advocating broader inclusion in governance, while clarifying that such concessions would not come at the expense of male aspirants.

President Tinubu also directed the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies deployed for the primaries to remain professional and avoid acting as interlopers during the exercise. “The Police and other security agencies must remain professional and avoid acting as interlopers during this exercise. Your duties strictly centre on ensuring peaceful exercise. Nothing more,” he stated. This directive comes amid concerns raised in Ogun East Senatorial District, where aggrieved party members have petitioned President Tinubu, the APC National Chairman, and the Inspector General of Police over alleged harassment, intimidation, and voter suppression ahead of the senatorial primary scheduled for Monday, May 18, 2026. The petitioners accused Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Ogun State APC leadership of orchestrating the alleged intimidation of supporters of Otunba Gbenga Daniel across the nine local government areas of the district. They have called for urgent intervention to prevent a “full-blown crisis” and demanded adequate security presence before, during, and after the primary election.

Meanwhile, the national leadership of the party has cleared all aspirants who purchased expression of interest and nomination forms for the House of Representatives in Lagos, Rivers, Enugu, Ekiti, and other states to participate in the primary election. A party official involved in the screening process confirmed that “no aspirant was disqualified,” describing the approach as “all-inclusive” despite intense lobbying and pressure from political opponents. President Tinubu concluded his statement by wishing all aspirants and party members success and expressing optimism that the eventual candidates would work together to secure victory for the APC in the general elections. “I look forward to working with the victorious aspirants for the success of our great party in the general election,” he said.

APC Primaries: Tinubu Issues Stern Warning Against Rancour, Do-Or-Die Politics

Why Peter Obi May Struggle to Retain South-East Support in 2027 – Okonkwo

Former Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council spokesman, Kenneth Okonkwo, has said former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi may find it difficult to maintain overwhelming support in the South-East ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Okonkwo, who recently aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, where he criticised the popular “Obi or nothing” slogan associated with some supporters of the former Anambra State governor.

According to him, the slogan contradicts the Igbo cultural philosophy of collective advancement known as “Somadina,” which promotes communal progress rather than individual political dominance.

“Have you not heard of the slogan Obi or nothing? First of all, that slogan is an abomination culturally in Igbo land,” Okonkwo stated during the programme.

Explaining further, the lawyer and actor-turned-politician said the Igbo ideology of “Somadina” emphasises shared success and cooperation.

“Somadina means that I will not be the only person that will thrive. I will not be the only person that will succeed,” he said.

READ ALSO:

• Court Remands Islamic Cleric for Allegedly Raping 14-Year-Old Girl in Ondo
• Shakira, Burna Boy Unveil Official 2026 FIFA World Cup Anthem
• Tinubu: Nigerian Youths Could Vote Me Out If I Fail to Fix Economy

Okonkwo referenced the political relationship between late nationalist Nnamdi Azikiwe and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme during the 1979 elections, noting that Igbo political leaders traditionally embraced alliances and coalition-building across party lines.

According to him, Azikiwe understood that South-East votes alone would not be enough to secure presidential victory and therefore maintained strategic relationships with politicians from other regions.

“Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe knew that the votes of Ndi Igbo alone would not make him president,” Okonkwo said.

He added that Azikiwe respected Ekwueme’s decision to remain in another political party at the time, stressing that post-election alliances later secured key political offices for the South-East, including the vice presidency and the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“And somebody here is telling me Obi or nothing? That is an abomination in Igbo land,” he added.

The ADC chieftain also reacted to the recent political movement involving Peter Obi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, who reportedly left opposition coalition talks within the ADC and joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Okonkwo alleged that both politicians avoided participating in party primaries and abandoned coalition efforts aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

“And the reason they went there is because they are scared of participating in primary election,” he claimed.

According to him, Obi and Kwankwaso had initially supported coalition talks as the best strategy to unseat the ruling government before eventually withdrawing from the arrangement.

“They said coalition is the best and the only method to send Tinubu packing by their own words. And on their own, without any reason, they left for NDC. Is that not being a con man?” he asked.

Responding to questions on political defections and coalition disagreements, Okonkwo argued that Obi willingly joined the alliance despite allegedly knowing about existing internal issues.

“And you didn’t know that such association is not aligning before you entered and you didn’t have any reason for going except that he wants power,” he said.

The former Labour Party campaign spokesman also criticised some supporters of Obi, describing them as “toxic followers” and “street urchins,” while admitting he once belonged to the Obidient movement.

“I was. Why did I leave?” he said.

Okonkwo explained that he supported Obi during the 2023 presidential election mainly because he wanted a South-East candidate to emerge as president.

However, he said his opinion changed after the election outcome and subsequent legal battle challenging the results.

“After winning the election, what happened? He could not secure his own victory,” Okonkwo stated.

The lawyer further disclosed that he spent nearly 240 days in court and about two years campaigning because he believed the Labour Party had won the election.

Political observers say the comments highlight growing tensions within Nigeria’s opposition politics as parties intensify consultations, defections and coalition talks ahead of the next general elections.

Despite the criticism, Peter Obi continues to enjoy strong support among many youths and urban voters through the Obidient Movement, particularly in the South-East and parts of southern Nigeria.

Why Peter Obi May Struggle to Retain South-East Support in 2027 – Okonkwo

Foluke Daramola Joins 2027 Reps Race, Picks APC Nomination Forms

Popular Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Foluke Daramola, has officially declared her intention to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The actress recently obtained the nomination and expression of interest forms of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest for the Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency I seat in Lagos State.

The development was announced through a series of posts shared on her social media platforms, where she displayed the APC forms and formally unveiled her political ambition. The actress said her decision to join the race was motivated by her passion for public service, grassroots development and community empowerment.

According to her, the aim is to provide quality representation for residents of Oshodi-Isolo while promoting programmes that will improve the welfare of youths, women and workers in the constituency.

READ ALSO:

• INTERPOL Extradites Nigerian ‘Yahoo Boy’ to US Over $1.5m Romance Scam
• Tinubu Secures $600m Deal To Upgrade Apapa Port
• How Oil Mafia Tried To Stop My $20bn Refinery Project — Dangote

In one of her campaign messages, Daramola wrote:

“As your servant and potential aspirant for the House of Representatives, Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency 1, I, Hon. Foluke Daramola-Salako, lift you up in prayers: May Almighty God open doors of opportunities for us all and keep us safe. Together, we will build a stronger, better Oshodi.”

The actress also stressed the importance of accountable leadership and inclusive governance, noting that the constituency deserves more opportunities for growth and sustainable development.

Her declaration has generated reactions across social media, with supporters and political observers describing her move as another example of the increasing participation of entertainers in Nigerian politics ahead of the 2027 elections.

Reports indicate that the APC recently commenced the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms to aspirants seeking elective positions across the country. The House of Representatives election is expected to witness intense competition in several constituencies, including Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency I.

Before venturing into politics, Daramola built a successful career in the Nigerian movie industry, starring in numerous Yoruba and English-language films over the years. She is widely known for her contributions to Nollywood as an actress, producer and social advocate.

Her entrance into the race now places her among a growing list of Nigerian celebrities seeking political offices as preparations for the next general elections gather momentum.

Foluke Daramola Joins 2027 Reps Race, Picks APC Nomination Forms