We Have Conflict Resolution Mechanisms No Other Party Has – APC Chairman

LAGOS — The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, has said the party already has systems in place to settle disagreements that may come up after its primary elections, assuring that aggrieved members would be reconciled ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He spoke after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the President’s residence in Lagos on Wednesday, where he briefed the President on the ongoing nationwide primaries. Yilwatda said the APC has conflict resolution committees that will help reconcile unhappy members and prevent crises before the 2027 general elections. According to him, it is normal for some aspirants to feel disappointed after losing elections, but the party will begin an early reconciliation process to keep members united ahead of campaigns.

Yilwatda explained that the APC operates a structured conflict management framework designed to manage internal disagreements and sustain cohesion within the party. “Definitely we’re going to have some aggrieved party members after this primary election. We have an internal conflict resolution mechanism that has prevailed over a period,” Yilwatda told journalists after the meeting. He identified two key committees responsible for managing post-primary disputes: The Presidential Conflict Resolution Committee – a high-level intervention body, and The Party Conflict Resolution Committee – operating at the national level to handle grievances.

The chairman said the party has worked to reduce crises as much as possible across states. “Everywhere, if you lose an election, it is not a rare thing. We manage people as much as we can,” he said. “Emotions and sentiments exist when expectations are not met. We ensure an early healing process so we can emerge victorious across the country in 2027.”

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Yilwatda described the ongoing APC primaries as the most competitive in Nigeria’s history, saying thousands of people are contesting for a limited number of positions because of the party’s growing popularity across the country. “The assessment is very simple. You can see how competitive our party has turned out to be. Just simple demand and supply. We have few positions and we have thousands of people who have come to vie for these positions across the country. The most competitive ever in the history of Nigeria,” he said.

The chairman framed the intensity of the contests as proof of the APC’s nationwide penetration and popularity. “It shows how APC has penetrated all communities in Nigeria and how it has been accepted by Nigerians and how every facet of Nigeria wants to be a member of APC,” he stated. He also said the primaries have been mostly peaceful and organised, despite a few complaints from some aspirants. “I also want to thank our supporters for the disciplined approach they’ve given these processes. It’s near rancour-free, very organised, with little complaints. It’s usual for people to complain in election processes, but it’s near perfect,” he said.

On concerns about consensus candidates, Yilwatda explained that the party followed its rules. He said where consensus fails, the party conducts direct primaries. “Our guidelines on consensus are clear. Our guidelines on direct primaries are also clear. Where consensus doesn’t work, you go for direct primaries. That’s what people are doing across the states,” he explained. He added that aspirants involved in consensus arrangements must sign forms agreeing to step down for chosen candidates. “You must sign off those consensus forms that you’ve stepped down. You agreed on a consensus candidate before the process takes place. That’s what we’re following in the guidelines,” Yilwatda said.

The Electoral Act 2026 makes provision for two methods of primaries — either through consensus or direct primary — ruling out the option of indirect primary. The APC leadership had initially preferred the consensus option as less cumbersome in terms of logistics, but where a chapter fails to reach an agreement, direct primaries are conducted.

Speaking about President Tinubu’s reaction, Yilwatda said the President was impressed with the conduct of the primaries, especially the logistics and the low number of incidents recorded nationwide. “The President was very impressed with the logistics we deployed across the country, the tactics we’ve used also. He has also been very impressed with the reduced number of incidents that we have across the country. He’s happy with what we’re doing,” Yilwatda said.

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President Tinubu had earlier exhorted party members to ensure a transparent and peaceful primary process, emphasizing the importance of fairness across the 360 constituencies. He viewed the primaries as a crucial test of the party’s unity and democratic principles, urging members to uphold the party’s founding values of progressive politics, consensus, sacrifice, and selflessness. The President warned against divisive behaviour, stating: “We cannot afford rancorous conduct or the debasement of our democracy and party unity.” He advised winners to be magnanimous and losers to accept outcomes gracefully, emphasizing that political success is a collective achievement for the party.

Yilwatda noted that this is the first time the APC is organising direct primaries across the country on such a large scale, with result sheets and logistics similar to those used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). “This is the first time that we’re deploying a nationwide direct primary process. We printed our result sheets and put in place logistics exactly like what INEC does,” he said. The nationwide deployment of direct primaries this cycle marked a significant step and indicated improvements in the party’s organisational capacity. Yilwatda credited members’ discipline for leading to “limited conflicts” during the process.

The direct primary system, mandated by the Electoral Act 2026, allows every registered party member to participate in candidate selection rather than relying solely on delegates. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) instructed its Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) to monitor these primaries, as 19 out of the 20 registered political parties submitted their election schedules. The APC’s primary election timeline included House of Representatives candidates elected across 8,809 electoral wards nationwide on May 16, senatorial candidates on May 18, House of Assembly primaries on May 20, governorship primaries on May 21, and the presidential primary scheduled to conclude the process on May 23.

Despite Yilwatda’s assurances, the APC primary elections in some states have been marred by controversy. No less than 10 aspirants across various states have rejected the outcome of the primaries, insisting that the processes were marred by irregularities. In Ekiti State, House of Representatives aspirant Teju Okuyiga officially rejected the outcome of the APC primary election held on May 16 for Ekiti South Federal Constituency II, describing the shadow election as a complete “sham” that entirely failed to meet the minimum benchmark required for a free, fair, and credible democratic exercise.

The lawmaker alleged that party officials manipulated the process and disregarded electoral guidelines during the primary. “The exercise was a sham and fell far short of the minimum standards for a free, fair, and credible party primary,” Okuyiga stated. She alleged that results were announced in several wards where no voting took place, and that no election occurred in most wards across the three local government areas in the constituency.

In Ekiti North Senatorial District, senatorial aspirant Otunba Oluwadare Owolabi called for the cancellation of the APC primary election, citing alleged irregularities and violence during the exercise. According to him, there was no proper accreditation and votes were not counted appropriately. He alleged that officials deployed to supervise the election were government employees, compromising the neutrality of the exercise, and accused organizers of deliberately disrupting the venue, creating panic among party members and supporters. “I consider what happened an act of terrorism against democracy,” Owolabi maintained.

A reliable source at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja confirmed that an appeal committee has been set up to receive complaints arising from all categories of the primaries. The source said aggrieved aspirants who called the national headquarters to complain were referred back to appeal committees in their respective states. The committees are expected to act on the complaints, adding that in a situation where they cannot resolve a case, such will then be referred to the party’s leadership. However, reports indicated that even as of Wednesday, issues remained unresolved in many states.

Yilwatda also thanked Tinubu for supporting the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and backing efforts to enforce party rules. The chairman expressed confidence that the party’s internal mechanisms would successfully resolve post-primary disputes, allowing the APC to focus on the 2027 general elections. He said the party has worked to reduce crises as much as possible across states, describing the primaries as a logistical success and crediting members’ discipline for the limited conflicts recorded during the process.

“The party has worked to reduce the crisis as much as possible. We ensure an early healing process so we can emerge victorious across the country in 2027,” Yilwatda said. He noted that major voting blocs, including Kano and Katsina, remain firmly aligned with the APC, which he described as key strongholds for the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

We Have Conflict Resolution Mechanisms No Other Party Has – APC Chairman

‘Bad Loser’: APC Chieftain Knocks Desmond Elliot Over Surulere Primary Withdrawal

LAGOS — An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Ayekooto Akindele, has dismissed claims by actor-turned-politician and Lagos lawmaker representing Surulere I, Desmond Elliot, that he withdrew from the party’s primary election, calling him a “bad loser” after the three-term incumbent suffered a humiliating defeat at the polls.

Politics Nigeria earlier reported that Elliot announced his withdrawal from the ongoing primary, alleging intimidation of his supporters at the Paddington Mini Stadium along Western Avenue, Surulere. The three-term lawmaker, first elected on April 11, 2015, was seeking a fourth term in office prior to his withdrawal announcement. But Akindele, in a post on X, insisted that the Nollywood star participated in the election and was decisively defeated. He described Elliot’s claim as “ridiculous,” alleging that the lawmaker only addressed a press conference after realizing he had lost.

“After the counting and declaration of votes, and after suffering an excruciating defeat right in his very presence, Nollywood actor Desmond Elliot quickly organised a press conference, claiming that he had withdrawn from the race and alleging that his ‘supporters’ were not allowed to vote,” he wrote. He further added that the action was typical of “a bad loser and a desperate, overtly ambitious politician who never planned that he would retire one day.”

According to results announced after voting across the constituency wards, Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, the immediate past Lagos Special Adviser on Housing and reportedly backed by President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, emerged victorious in the contest. Official results showed that Odunuga-Bakare polled 11,385 votes to defeat Elliot, who secured only 270 votes. The wide margin of defeat lends weight to Akindele’s assertion that Elliot’s withdrawal announcement was an attempt to salvage dignity after a humiliating loss. The primary election took place amid reports that party stakeholders had pressured Elliot to withdraw from the race in favor of Odunuga-Bakare. However, the lawmaker refused to step down initially and continued with his re-election bid.

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Elliot announced his withdrawal on Wednesday at the Paddington mini stadium along Western Avenue, where the APC primary was being conducted. He claimed several of his supporters were prevented from gaining access to the venue despite repeated appeals to electoral officials. “In all zones, they’ve been intimidating and stopping us. I want to officially announce my withdrawal from this particular race. This is my ward. If you go outside, those are my people outside. They’ve not been allowed,” Elliot said. He maintained that those denied access were legitimate members of his political base in the constituency. According to him, attempts to secure entry for his supporters were ignored, while intimidation was allegedly recorded across different zones of the venue. “There were clear cases of intimidation across different polling units, and my supporters were denied access to accreditation let alone voting. This is not democracy,” Elliot alleged. Elliot explained that his decision to leave the venue was to prevent any breakdown of law and order, stressing that no political ambition was worth the loss of lives. After his announcement, his supporters staged a peaceful protest before leaving the venue alongside him.

In a fresh twist that has drawn further criticism from political observers, Elliot later denied reports that he had withdrawn from the race. In a statement issued on Wednesday, he described the reports as “misleading” and clarified that he did not step down from the contest. According to the statement, the lawmaker’s remarks during the primary election were made in response to the alleged exclusion and intimidation of his supporters, many of whom were reportedly denied access to designated voting venues, particularly in Wards F2 and F3. The statement explained that Elliot’s decision to ask his agents and supporters to leave the voting environment was aimed at preventing violence and maintaining peace, rather than signaling a withdrawal from the contest. “The decision was one of statesmanship and restraint, not a concession, withdrawal, or surrender of his candidacy,” the statement said. Elliot maintained that he remains committed to the race and to democratic principles, adding that he still enjoys the support of party members across the constituency. The statement also urged party stakeholders and the public to disregard what it described as false narratives surrounding the incident.

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Meanwhile, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, who also voted in the primary at his Ward G2 (Adeniran Ogunsanya Ward 5) in Surulere, described the exercise as peaceful, fair, and orderly. Speaking to newsmen after participating in the primary election, Gbajabiamila expressed happiness with the conduct of the primaries and commended party members for their conduct during the exercise. “You know, this is my ward, Ward G2, and I have been voting here in Ward G2 for as long as I have been in politics. And anytime I come to vote, whatever office or election it is, my reaction is always the same. When I see peaceful, fair, credible, orderly elections, I am always very happy. And that is exactly what I have seen today,” he said. Gbajabiamila also noted that the turnout for the primary election was impressive, adding that reports reaching him from other wards indicated that the exercise was peaceful across the constituency. “From what I am hearing, the feedback I am getting, it is the same across the board,” he said. His positive assessment of the exercise stands in stark contrast to Elliot’s allegations of intimidation and exclusion.

The controversy at the primary did not emerge suddenly. In the days leading up to the May 20 primary, Elliot had been raising the alarm about what he described as targeted political victimization. In a viral video circulated on Sunday, Elliot accused unnamed party leaders and local government officials of allegedly pressuring party members to support a preferred aspirant ahead of the House of Assembly primaries. “Intimidation, coercion, twisting and forcing people to follow their own candidate is what exists today in Surulere,” Elliot said in the video. “Telling them that they will not be beneficiaries of some empowerment that is coming some other time. Please, this is not done and should not be done.” The lawmaker also alleged that some local government officials lost their positions because they supported him, while the local government leadership had openly backed another aspirant months before the primary election. In an even more striking claim, Elliot asserted that his security aides were withdrawn without explanation shortly before the primaries. “My security personnel were taken away from me yesterday for reasons best known to them. Now I am left alone to myself. What have I done?” he queried. Despite these concerns, Elliot had maintained that he would accept the outcome of the primaries if the process was free and fair.

The controversy also comes days after Elliot publicly apologised to the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, over his alleged involvement in the removal of the Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa from office in January 2025. This political context suggests that the Surulere I primary was not merely a local contest but part of broader realignments within the Lagos APC, with Gbajabiamila’s political structure backing Odunuga-Bakare against the incumbent Elliot.

Adding to the chorus of voices against Elliot, a political pressure group within the constituency, the Surulere Accountability Front (SAF), accused Elliot of staging a theatrical exit to mask his lack of actual grassroots popularity. The group’s chairman, Olanrewaju Badmus, alleged that Elliot, anticipating an embarrassing defeat at the polls, had plotted to import non-residents into the six electoral wards to cause chaos and force an “inconclusive” outcome. “We will not negotiate our representation with someone who has shown desperation, greed, and a total lack of respect for the organized Tinubu political structure in Lagos,” Badmus asserted. “The primary was peaceful, and the best candidate won. Elliot simply saw the handwriting on the wall.”

Despite his denial of withdrawal, the primary election proceeded, and Odunuga-Bakare has since been declared the winner with 11,385 votes against Elliot’s 270. For all intents and purposes, the actor-turned-politician who has represented Surulere I since 2015 has lost his bid for a fourth term. Elliot has indicated that he would appeal the outcome of the election, though it remains unclear whether such an appeal would be successful given the wide margin of defeat and the apparent backing of the party leadership for his opponent. For the Lagos APC, the day’s events once again demonstrated that the party’s internal selectorate remains absolute. For Elliot, who traded the glamour of Nollywood for the gritty trenches of Lagos politics, the credits may have rolled unexpectedly on his legislative career — leaving behind a divided constituency and a sobering reminder of how unforgiving the Lagos political landscape can be.

‘Bad Loser’: APC Chieftain Knocks Desmond Elliot Over Surulere Primary Withdrawal

Rivers 2027: Fubara Withdraws From APC Guber Race

Governor Siminalayi Fubara has officially withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries in Rivers State, saying the decision was taken in the interest of peace, unity, and political stability in the state.

Fubara announced his withdrawal in a statement personally signed and released on Wednesday night, barely hours before the scheduled APC governorship primary election.

In the statement titled “My Decision to Withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries,” the governor said he arrived at the decision after “deep reflection and extensive consultations” with family members, political associates, and close supporters.

According to him, the current political situation in Rivers State requires sacrifice and restraint from leaders who genuinely care about the future of the state.

“Leadership is ultimately about sacrifice. There comes a time when personal ambition must yield to the greater good of the people,” Fubara stated.

The governor stressed that Rivers State politics should not be driven by personal interests, adding that maintaining peace and stability was more important than pursuing his political ambition.

He also pledged to support whoever eventually emerges as the candidate of the APC in Rivers State, assuring party members that his commitment to the ruling party remains intact.

“I do so with a full heart and with a firm commitment to support whoever emerges as the candidate of our great party,” he added.

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Fubara thanked his supporters for standing by him throughout the political process despite mounting uncertainty surrounding his participation in the primary election.

“To my supporters who stood firmly with me throughout this journey, I offer my deepest gratitude. I understand the disappointment, the anger, and the pain many of you may feel,” he said.

The governor further hinted at political pressure and difficult circumstances behind the scenes, noting that his silence in recent weeks was “deliberate and strategic.”

“As our elders say, not everything a hunter sees in the forest is spoken of in the marketplace,” he remarked, suggesting that certain political realities were better left undisclosed for the sake of peace.

Fubara also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as support and encouragement during the political process.

“I sincerely thank our great party, the APC, for the platform and support extended to me throughout this process. I also express my profound appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for his support and encouragement,” he stated.

The governor maintained that his withdrawal should not be interpreted as weakness or surrender, insisting that the decision was made purely out of conviction and sacrifice for the stability of Rivers State.

“Let it be clearly understood that I stepped aside not out of weakness, fear, or surrender, but out of conviction and sacrifice so that Rivers State may move forward in peace and unity,” he added.

Political Tension In Rivers

Fubara’s withdrawal comes amid months of intense political tension in Rivers State linked to the lingering power struggle between the governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike.

The political crisis has continued to shape the state’s political landscape, with rival camps battling for control of party structures and influence ahead of the 2027 elections.

Recent reports indicated that several politicians believed to be loyal to Fubara were allegedly sidelined during the APC screening process, fueling speculation about internal disagreements within the party.

The development is expected to significantly reshape the Rivers governorship race, while strengthening the influence of political blocs loyal to former governor Wike within the APC structure.

Political observers believe Fubara’s withdrawal may temporarily ease tensions within the ruling party and reduce the risk of further political confrontation in the oil-rich state.

Rivers 2027: Fubara Withdraws From APC Guber Race