As Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) begins preparations for the 2027 general elections, disputes over access to nomination forms have exposed internal tensions, with aspirants accusing state governors of attempting to control the process.
Some party members alleged that governors have hijacked the distribution of expression of interest and nomination forms, favoring preferred candidates and sidelining others. The aggrieved aspirants called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene.
The controversy intensified after a presidential aspirant, Chief Osifo Stanley, said he was unable to obtain the party’s nomination form despite repeated attempts.
“I made calls between Saturday and yesterday to officials of the party. The account number required to pay for the form is yet to be made available to me,” Stanley said.
Party sources say his experience is not isolated, with several aspirants for governorship, National Assembly and state assembly seats reporting similar difficulties, raising concerns about transparency.
In several states, including Lagos, Ogun and Oyo, forms had yet to reach party structures as of Monday, according to party insiders, who blamed the delay on state-level control.
Critics say the situation reflects longstanding concerns about the influence of governors within the APC, with allegations that they are shaping candidate selection by controlling access to forms and party structures.
A party chieftain, speaking anonymously, warned that restricting access to nomination forms could trigger disputes, protests and legal challenges, as seen in previous election cycles.
Another source accused members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum of attempting to influence the process in favor of loyalists, though party officials have denied any wrongdoing.
Abimbola Tooki, special adviser to the APC national chairman on media and communications strategy, said the party never indicated that forms would be distributed at the state level, adding that aspirants are expected to obtain them from the national headquarters in Abuja.
He acknowledged the leadership role of governors within their states but said it does not permit interference in internal democratic processes.
Despite the challenges, Stanley insisted that endorsements do not override party rules or constitutional provisions.
“There is no part of our party constitution that says when people endorse the president, he automatically becomes the candidate,” he said.
The APC has released its timetable for the 2027 elections, with the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms beginning April 25 and submission closing May 2.
Screening of aspirants is scheduled for May 4 to May 8, with appeals on May 11, while primary elections will take place between May 12 and May 23. The presidential primary is set for May 23.
According to the party, presidential forms cost 100 million naira (about $—), including 30 million naira for expression of interest and 70 million naira for nomination. Governorship forms are priced at 50 million naira, while Senate, House of Representatives and state assembly forms cost 20 million, 10 million and 6 million naira, respectively.
Female aspirants, youths and persons with disabilities are offered discounts, paying only for expression of interest forms and half of the nomination fees.
The timetable aligns with guidelines from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The release followed earlier delays in providing official bank account details for payments, which aspirants said created confusion and slowed the process. The party has now designated Union Bank, UBA and Zenith Bank for payments.
Meanwhile, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria warned that increasing control of political parties by governors could undermine internal democracy ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement, the group’s national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the dominance of governors over party structures risks weakening participation and accountability.
“This is not democracy. This is political colonization,” the group said, calling for reforms to ensure credible primaries and greater oversight by INEC.
Separately, two APC members — Abdulsalam Abdulkarim Zaura and Garba Yusuf Abubakar — have purchased nomination forms to contest the Kano Central senatorial seat, party sources said.
Zaura, who lost the race in 2023, said he is confident of victory, while Abubakar, a former state commissioner, recently defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
