APC Primaries: Tinubu Cracks Down on Candidate Imposition, Orders Review of Disputed Exercises

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly moved to address growing discontent within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the conduct of its recent legislative primaries, warning against the arbitrary imposition of candidates by party leaders.

Sources familiar with discussions held during a late-night meeting between the President and South-West APC stakeholders at his Bourdillon residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, said Tinubu expressed concern over reports of irregularities emerging from several states.

According to insiders, the President stressed that while governors were entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating party affairs in their states, such powers were never intended to undermine internal democracy.

He was also quoted as cautioning against conflicts of interest in the conduct of party affairs, insisting that individuals should not supervise processes in which they have personal stakes.

Tinubu subsequently directed APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, to take corrective measures in states where credible and transparent primaries were allegedly compromised.

The APC primaries held across the country have triggered protests and complaints from aspirants and party members in several states, including Lagos, Edo, Ondo, Imo, Rivers, Benue and Adamawa.

Many aggrieved aspirants accused influential party figures of manipulating delegate lists, intimidating voters and orchestrating outcomes in favour of preferred candidates.

The internal disputes have heightened tension within the ruling party, prompting renewed calls for the APC leadership to intervene before the crisis deepens.

Earlier, Yilwatda had warned party members against actions capable of destabilising the APC, stating that anyone found fomenting violence or sabotaging the party’s internal democratic process would face sanctions, including suspension.

Tinubu’s latest intervention is seen by party insiders as an attempt to restore confidence in the APC’s nomination process and prevent lingering grievances from escalating ahead of future electoral contests.