Opinion
Edged Out: APC Governorship Aspirants Forced to Abandon Their Bids Ahead of 2027
_By Sam Agogo_
The pattern of forced withdrawals from APC governorship races ahead of the 2027 elections tells a striking story about how political power is being consolidated under the Tinubu administration.
The most recent and perhaps most symbolic case is that of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. President Tinubu had earlier suspended Fubara, his deputy, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly in March 2025 following a prolonged political impasse between Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike. Fubara ultimately announced his withdrawal from the APC governorship primary, stating the decision was “not borne out of fear or weakness, but out of conviction and sacrifice so that Rivers State may move forward in peace and unity.” APC chieftain Tonye Cole also announced his withdrawal from the Rivers race, citing the need to protect the unity and cohesion of the party. That a sitting governor could be edged out of his own re-election bid set the tone for what has become a defining feature of the APC’s road to 2027.
Gombe State produced perhaps the most dramatic scenes outside Rivers. Former Senator and Minister of Transportation Sa’idu Alkali had resigned from his ministerial position specifically to contest the Gombe governorship, seeking to succeed incumbent Governor Inuwa Yahaya. He subsequently withdrew from the APC governorship primary due to alleged irregularities and violations of electoral laws, following the earlier withdrawal of former Minister of Communications Isa Pantami. Despite boycotting the election, Alkali described the situation as a “sad gang-up against the credible conduct of primaries in Gombe State to block the chances of producing transformative leaders.” Pantami’s exit was even more emotional. The former minister broke down in tears after being denied the APC governorship ticket, having rejected what he described as an unlawful consensus process that produced businessman Jamilu Gwamna as the preferred candidate. Pantami described the process as a “coronation” rather than a legitimate consensus, anchoring his objection on the Electoral Act 2022 which recognises only two lawful pathways for candidate selection.
In Lagos, Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, withdrew from the APC governorship race just a day after Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat was presented to President Tinubu by the Governance Advisory Council as the party’s consensus candidate. Jandor stressed that his withdrawal was not due to a lack of capacity but rather a deliberate move rooted in discipline, strength, and respect for party cohesion. He was not alone. Samuel Ajose, another Lagos governorship aspirant, also stepped down in support of Hamzat, admitting “I know it’s a very tough decision. I didn’t sleep overnight. I struggled with it.”
In Ogun State, the story was similar but wider in scope. The adoption of Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as consensus candidate followed consultations by Governor Dapo Abiodun with other aspirants from Ogun West, including Gboyega Nasir Isiaka and Abiodun Akinlade, who agreed to step down for Adeola. Iyabo Obasanjo also suspended her gubernatorial aspiration, congratulating Adeola and thanking APC leaders for allowing her to participate in the nomination process. Former CBN Deputy Governor Tunde Lemo equally withdrew, describing his move as “a deliberate, strategic alignment for the greater good.”
In Borno State, Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan, representing Borno Central, had picked his APC governorship nomination form and was fully prepared to contest the race. However, at a stakeholders’ meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima and attended by Governor Babagana Zulum, APC Deputy National Chairman Ali Dalori, Minister of Agriculture Abubakar Kyari, and the Borno Elders Forum, it was resolved that Lawan should step down to pave the way for Engineer Mustapha Gubio, Zulum’s anointed candidate. The senator was sent back to the Senate, retaining his Borno Central seat as a consolation for abandoning a governorship ambition he had publicly and enthusiastically declared.
In Kwara, the battle has been more resistant. Senator Saliu Mustapha, representing Kwara Central, obtained his APC governorship nomination form and underwent party screening in Abuja, insisting he was firmly in the race. Governor AbdulRazaq, whose tenure ends in 2027, moved strategically to block Mustapha’s path by personally picking up the APC senatorial nomination form for Kwara Central — effectively positioning himself as a direct obstacle in Mustapha’s political territory. Party sources described the move as a calculated attempt to steer the governorship ticket away from Mustapha toward a preferred candidate. Unlike others, Mustapha has so far refused to be edged out, dismissing widespread reports of his withdrawal as false and misleading.
In Yobe, Senator Mustapha Musa formally withdrew from the 2027 race, endorsing Governor Buni’s preferred candidate — Baba Mallam Wali, the former Secretary to the State Government, who had been chosen by party leaders as the preferred governorship candidate.
Political observers warn that unresolved disputes over consensus candidates could deepen divisions within the APC and affect the party’s performance in the 2027 elections, as many aspirants believe consensus arrangements are being used to impose candidates chosen by governors and party leaders instead of allowing fair democratic competition. The recurring language across every withdrawal — “personal ambition must yield to the greater good,” “party cohesion,” “difficult but necessary” — points to a scripted template that critics say has nothing to do with voluntary sacrifice and everything to do with the consolidation of presidential control over the APC’s candidate selection process ahead of 2027.
_For comments, reflections and further conversation:
Email: samuelagogo4one@yahoo.com
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