News Rendezvous

By Umar D. Duhu, LLM, Ph.D

Yola, Adamawa State

As the 2027 elections draw closer, the Adamawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stands at a critical juncture. Rising tensions over governorship candidate selection threaten to fragment the party and undermine its electoral prospects. Allegations of imposition, elite interference, and sidelining of grassroots voices are already emerging.For APC to restore internal harmony and maximize its chances in Adamawa, there is only one lawful and credible path: direct primaries, as clearly mandated by Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.— 1. The Law is Clear: Indirect Primaries Are a Thing of the Past

On February 18, 2026, President Bola Tinubu signed the Electoral Act amendment into law. Section 84(2) leaves no room for ambiguity: “The procedure for the nomination of candidates by political parties for the various elective positions shall be by direct primaries or consensus.” This law abolishes the outdated delegate system, where a few influential officials controlled outcomes.

Today, parties have only two lawful options:

1. Direct primaries – every registered party member votes, guaranteeing “one member, one vote.”

2. Consensus – all aspirants must voluntarily agree to support a single candidate; if consensus fails, direct primaries are mandatory. Any attempt to revive delegate-based selection is illegal and will inevitably invite legal challenges and public backlash. APC must choose the lawful route, not risk internal chaos or judicial intervention.

2. Direct Primaries Neutralize Godfatherism and Money Politics

For decades, Nigerian politics has been plagued by godfatherism and “cash-for-votes” primaries. Tickets often go to the wealthiest candidate or the one favoured by political elites in Abuja. In Adamawa, local leaders have repeatedly decried “Abuja-imposed” candidates, warning that such interference alienates grassroots supporters and fuels factionalism.Direct primaries level the playing field. Every registered member gets a vote, making it impossible for aspirants to “buy” their way to victory through a handful of delegates. APC governorship aspirant Salihu Bakari emphasises: “With direct primaries, the candidate with genuine grassroots support will win. Money and influence can no longer dictate outcomes.” Legal analysts echo this sentiment, noting that the Electoral Act 2026 effectively removes the primary mechanism for monetised candidate selection, ensuring the process rewards popular support and organizational capacity—not deep pockets.

3. Direct Primaries Restore Legitimacy and Reduce Post-Primary Conflict

The pattern is all too familiar: a small committee selects a candidate; aggrieved aspirants cry foul, their supporters defect, and the party heads into the general election fractured. Adamawa has already witnessed complaints of candidates being declared “winners” without actual voting, an unacceptable trend that undermines party unity.Direct primaries are inherently transparent. Voting occurs at the ward level, results are tallied publicly, and INEC monitors the process. This transparency ensures participants feel heard, increasing acceptance of the outcome. APC’s National Secretary confirms that direct primaries have consistently produced “peaceful, inclusive, and engaging” contests in other states.In a state like Adamawa, where ethnic sensitivities and long-standing loyalties run deep, a fair and visible process is not optional, it is essential to maintain cohesion.

4. Adamawa APC Members Demand Direct Primaries

The push for direct primaries is not driven by external actors—it comes from the grassroots and aspirants themselves. Local communities assert that direct primaries give every member a voice and ensure the most credible candidate emerges. Aspirants including Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, Senator Aminu Iya Abbas, Hon. Ibrahim Tol, Abdulrahman Haske, and Salihu Bakari have publicly endorsed primaries over consensus. Former APC National Vice Chairman Mustapha Salihu stressed that while consensus is acceptable, any attempt at imposition undermines democracy.

Even Governor Fintiri, who oversaw recent House of Representatives primaries, acknowledged their credibility and transparency, promising similar inclusivity for governorship and state assembly elections. Direct primaries are the practical mechanism to deliver on that promise.

5. Stability Equals Electability

Adamawa is a swing state. Entering the governorship race with an imposed candidate would be politically reckless. APC’s best chance is to field a candidate elected through a transparent, competitive process, capable of uniting factions and winning over the electorate.The Electoral Act 2026 strengthens this approach further by requiring digital membership registers to be submitted to INEC 21 days before primaries, reducing manipulation and ensuring only genuine members vote. Compliance guarantees a credible and defensible primary result.

6. Law and Grassroots Support Must Lead

Peace, stability, and electoral success for Adamawa APC will not come from backroom deals or Abuja directives. They will come from respecting the law and letting every registered party member exercise their right to vote.Section 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026 has clearly closed the door on delegate voting. With consensus repeatedly failing amid allegations of imposition, direct primaries remain the only credible and lawful option.APC must act decisively.

Conduct a direct primary for the governorship, and the party can transform from a house divided into a winning coalition poised to reclaim Adamawa in 2027.