Politics

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

Published

3 months ago

May 21, 2026

National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe

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

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2027: Peter Obi lost his chance when he left ADC for NDC – Fayose

Published

3 hours ago

August 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose

2027: Peter Obi lost his chance when he left ADC for NDC – Fayose

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has said Peter Obi suffered a major political setback in his bid for the 2027 presidency after leaving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Fayose made the comment during an interview on TVC News’ Politics Tonight, where he assessed the chances of the opposition parties against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election.

According to Fayose, the opposition had a stronger opportunity to mount a serious challenge against President Bola Tinubu when prominent opposition figures were united under the ADC.

He said Obi’s decision to leave the coalition weakened the opposition’s chances and effectively ended the former Anambra State governor’s advantage within the opposition camp.

“When they were all together in ADC, I would tell anybody that they will make an impact. The day Obi left ADC for NDC, that day Obi lost,” Fayose said.

Despite his criticism of Obi’s political decision, Fayose spoke positively about the former Anambra governor’s record and political profile.

He described Obi as “a fantastic Nigerian” who had made his mark and demonstrated that positive change was possible.

However, Fayose argued that personal popularity would not be enough to secure victory in a presidential election without a strong political structure and a united opposition.

“But when opposition, when they don’t come together, they will continue to lose,” he said.

Fayose’s comments come amid continuing political realignments ahead of the 2027 Nigerian presidential election, with major opposition figures pursuing different platforms after an earlier attempt to consolidate them under the ADC.

Obi’s departure from the ADC has been particularly significant because he had initially been viewed by some opposition figures as one of the coalition’s strongest potential presidential contenders. His subsequent move to the NDC has altered the opposition landscape and created separate political camps ahead of the election.

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In a July 2026 interview with Channels Television, Obi confirmed his status as the NDC presidential candidate for 2027 and defended his political strategy, saying his decision to contest was driven by his belief that he could fix Nigeria’s major challenges and unite the country. (Cockatoo)

Fayose, however, maintained that the fragmentation of the opposition has created an advantage for the APC.

He said the political process had advanced to a stage where it would be difficult for opposition politicians to reverse their decisions and return to a single platform.

“It’s too late now,” Fayose said. “INEC has accredited everybody. Even if you say you are not doing again, you’re on your own.”

“You have put your feet in the water. You can’t get out. You have gotten wet already,” he added.

Fayose also predicted that President Tinubu would perform strongly in the South-West during the 2027 presidential election.

According to him, the President could secure close to four million votes in the region, based on the voting pattern recorded during the 2023 presidential election.

“In the West alone, Tinubu will get close to about four million votes,” Fayose said.

“When you look at the pattern of the last election, Tinubu will win this election close to about 65 per cent.”

The projection comes as political parties intensify their efforts to consolidate support across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Tinubu secured substantial support in parts of the South-West during the 2023 presidential election, although the region did not vote uniformly, with different candidates winning different states.

Fayose also commented on the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, rejecting claims that vote-buying was associated with only one political camp.

He said supporters of the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord were all involved in alleged vote-buying activities observed during the election.

“It’s mere desperation. Mere desperation,” Fayose said.

He added that reports of arrests over alleged vote-buying involved people linked to different political camps.

“The two sides clearly, going by what we saw on the television on Saturday, police arrested the two sides sharing money. So don’t come and tell me they are saints both ways,” he said.

The former governor said the problem of electoral malpractice in Nigeria should not be reduced to accusations against one party because it was a broader challenge affecting the electoral system.

“We have a lot to put right,” Fayose said.

“It’s the system. It’s systemic. It is a problem that has to be addressed.”

His comments highlight the wider political battle expected ahead of the 2027 general election, as the APC seeks to retain the presidency while opposition parties attempt to build competitive structures capable of challenging Tinubu.

For Obi, the immediate challenge is to translate his personal political following into a strong nationwide structure under the NDC. His supporters will also have to demonstrate that his decision to pursue an independent opposition platform can overcome the disadvantages created by the fragmentation of the earlier ADC coalition.

Fayose’s assessment, however, remains a political prediction rather than an electoral outcome. The 2027 presidential election has not yet been held, and the eventual result will depend on the candidates, campaigns, party structures, voter turnout and the choices Nigerians make at the polls.

2027: Peter Obi lost his chance when he left ADC for NDC – Fayose

Politics

Sokoto APC suffers fresh setback as over 700 members reportedly defect to ADC

Published

8 hours ago

August 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Sokoto APC suffers fresh setback as over 700 members reportedly defect to ADC

More than 700 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State have reportedly defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing alleged neglect, poor representation and growing insecurity in their communities.

The reported APC defection involved members from Goronyo and Shinaka wards and comes as political parties intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The defectors were led by Alhaji Aliyu Tunau Shinaka, a former APC secretary in Goronyo Local Government and two-time special adviser to the Sokoto State Government.

Others reported to have joined the ADC include former APC youth leader in the local government, Alhaji Ibrahim Ado Taloka; Alhaji Kabiru Malam Isah Mai’alewa; and prominent women leader and youth mobiliser Hajiya Shafa’atu S/Pawa Goronyo.

Speaking during the defection ceremony, Shinaka said the group decided to leave the APC after what he described as prolonged neglect of grassroots members and residents by the party leadership.

He alleged that party members who worked for the APC’s electoral success had not received adequate attention from the leadership and that concerns raised by residents had remained largely unaddressed.

Sokoto APC suffers fresh setback as over 700 members reportedly defect to ADC

Shinaka also criticised Muhammad Bello Goronyo, the Minister of State for Works and a prominent APC figure from the area, accusing him of failing to provide the level of political leadership and development initiatives expected by residents.

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He particularly questioned the progress of federal road rehabilitation across Sokoto East Senatorial District, arguing that the minister’s position at the Federal Ministry of Works should result in greater attention to infrastructure challenges affecting communities in the region.

The allegations were made by the defectors and have not been independently verified. No response from the minister or the APC leadership in Goronyo was provided alongside the claims.

Another defector, Taloka, said the group joined the ADC because it wanted a political platform that would give greater priority to the welfare and security of residents.

He described the movement as a response to what he called the concerns of grassroots supporters who felt they were only remembered during election periods.

The defectors also expressed concern about the deteriorating security situation in Goronyo and neighbouring communities, alleging that banditry had disrupted farming, displaced residents and damaged local economic activities.

They claimed that more than 100 residents of Goronyo Local Government were being held by bandits in camps across parts of Sokoto East. The claim could not be independently verified.

According to the group, insecurity has made it difficult for many residents to access their farms, while some families have allegedly been displaced and others affected by the loss of relatives and livelihoods.

Shinaka said political leaders had a responsibility to remain connected to communities during periods of insecurity and provide support to victims and affected families.

The reported defection comes amid wider political realignments in Sokoto State ahead of the 2027 elections.

The ADC has attracted politicians and supporters from established parties in different parts of the country as opposition figures seek to build a broader political coalition ahead of the next general election.

Sokoto has also recorded previous political movement towards the ADC. In April 2026, seven members of the Sokoto State House of Assembly reportedly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ADC, including Nasiru Adamu, who represents Goronyo Constituency.

The latest reported movement could further strengthen the ADC’s grassroots structure in Goronyo if the defectors remain active within the party.

The APC, meanwhile, has also recorded political movements into its fold in the area. In November 2025, former PDP figures in Goronyo joined the APC and were received by Minister of State for Works Muhammad Bello Goronyo.

The contrasting movements reflect the increasingly fluid political landscape in Sokoto as parties position themselves for the 2027 elections.

For the ADC, the reported entry of more than 700 APC members could provide additional grassroots strength in Goronyo. For the APC, the development could create a fresh challenge for its mobilisation efforts in an area regarded as an important political base.

The defectors said they were prepared to work for the expansion of the ADC and support what they described as a new political direction centred on security, peace, good governance and development.

With the 2027 elections drawing closer, further defections and political realignments are expected across Sokoto State as the APC, ADC, PDP and other parties compete to strengthen their structures and attract influential politicians and grassroots supporters.

Sokoto APC suffers fresh setback as over 700 members reportedly defect to ADC

Politics

Osun Poll: Fayose Says Federal Might Could Have Swayed Result If Deployed

Published

9 hours ago

August 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose

Osun Poll: Fayose Says Federal Might Could Have Swayed Result If Deployed

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has declared that if the Federal Government genuinely intended to manipulate an election outcome by force, there would be little anyone could do to stop it. Fayose made this assertion while reflecting on the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election, during an interview with TVC News, in which incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke secured re-election under the Accord Party banner. The former governor, who said he remained in Osogbo throughout the election period, explained that he visited markets and communities across the state, including Ilesa, to gauge the mood of voters ahead of the poll, and his interactions with residents suggested the election would be closely contested, with the result capable of going either way.

When asked if he knew Adeleke would win, Fayose said the closeness of the contest meant either candidate could have emerged victorious, stating, “When you have an election that is 52, 48, it could go either way,” contrasting that with an election where one candidate holds a much wider lead of 30 to 70. He expressed concern about the violence and killings recorded around the election, describing them as unnecessary and deeply regrettable, noting that the Nigeria Police Force retained approximately 15,000 personnel deployed for the election and deployed anti-riot policemen and undercover operatives to strategic locations to prevent post-election violence, following at least 34 election-related violent incidents that resulted in 18 deaths recorded since May 2026.

On vote buying, Fayose stated that neither the APC nor the Accord Party could claim innocence, saying the two sides clearly engaged in the practice, and according to reports, vote trading topped the list of electoral offences with 103 cases recorded by observers, with police arresting individuals from both sides sharing money. Official results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that Governor Ademola Adeleke polled 511,067 votes (51.90 per cent) to defeat APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who secured 444,815 votes (45.17 per cent), with the margin of victory increasing from 28,344 votes in 2022 to 66,252 votes in 2026, and the wider margin, combined with intense competition, made manipulation more difficult, according to the Athena Election Observatory.

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Fayose broke down the winning margin, arguing that a significant portion of the difference came from Ede, the home base of the Adeleke family, where in Ede North, Adeleke polled 35,427 votes against Oyebamiji’s 10,283, while in Ede South, he secured 26,188 votes compared with the APC candidate’s 6,219, and Adeleke also won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas. He addressed claims that the Federal Government wanted to take over the election, saying, “I want to say to you, if the federal government wants to take an election, they will take it. If the federal government… the ones I know of the past, if they want to take an election, there’s nothing you can do,” a statement that echoed comments by Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who said President Bola Tinubu could have secured victory for the APC in Osun if he wanted it “at all costs,” insisting that the result showed that no federal might was deployed in Osun and that the President allowed a free and fair process, with Fayose agreeing with Wike’s position, responding, “That, that exactly…”

Fayose congratulated Adeleke on his victory and urged him to reconcile with all stakeholders in the state, saying, “So let us commend the Adelekes for winning and remind them they need to be magnanimous in victory. The language now must be right. Reconciliation must be total. Not with the Accord alone, but with all other stakeholders because all of you are from Osun state.” His comments come as political stakeholders continue to analyse the outcome of the closely watched governorship election, which has significant implications for the political landscape in the South-West region and the build-up to the 2027 general elections.