The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Primaries Committee for Kano Governorship and National Assembly elections, and former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Mukhtar Shagari, has defended the conduct of the party’s recently concluded primaries, insisting that the APC remains firmly in control despite reports of irregularities, dissent, and allegations of imposed candidates across some states.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, Shagari said the party leadership, including President Bola Tinubu, should be commended for encouraging internal democracy through either consensus or direct primaries, noting that disagreements and complaints are a normal feature of democratic competition.
“The All Progressives Congress, I must give the party and the leadership of the party and the President credit for insisting that where consensus is not possible, we should go for the direct and proper elections, and it has been taking place everywhere. And problems when you’re having an election, especially where people are aspiring to contest for positions and so on, it is expected that there will be some few problems here and there, and there will be complaints here and there, and it’s part of a democracy.”he said
“That is why we are a great party, because we give people the opportunity to voice out their misgivings. And it has been the norm of democracy in this country that whoever loses always comes up with one excuse or the other. Otherwise, what has been going on is good for democracy because the party has given the opportunity to ordinary members to elect people.”
Shagari explained that the APC has moved away from the expensive delegate system and has instead allowed members to either agree on consensus candidates or proceed to direct primaries.
“The State House of Assembly primary that took place yesterday has gone very well. Out of the 40 constituencies we have, it was only in two constituencies that we actually had an election. The rest were based on consensus. Everything has gone on peacefully, and we are really very happy with what has happened in Kano. Kano has shown real maturity”.he added
“The members of the party in Kano have shown maturity, and they have shown that they are behind the decisions taken by the party—that you can have consensus, and if consensus is not possible, you can go for election. So far, so good.”
Addressing concerns that the party may be losing control of its primaries due to widespread complaints, Shagari dismissed such claims, insisting the APC remains united and structured.
“The APC is in total control. Wherever there is contest for an office, some people, if they lose out, will complain. And that is normal and acceptable. That is why the party has set up appeal committees in all the states where these primary elections are taking place.”
“APC is a strong party. APC is a party that has given its members the opportunity to elect people or to sit down and agree among themselves. I think the consensus that has taken place in all the places is good for the party and we are strong and we are going forward.”
On claims that dissatisfaction from primaries could lead to defections or internal implosion ahead of the 2027 elections, Shagari ruled out any major fallout.
“I don’t think so. People who are in APC are committed members of the party. In fact, it is people from other parties that are leaving and coming into APC.”
“APC is a strong party. It has disciplined members who believe in the ideas of the party. This is not going to be a reason for people to start going to other political parties.”
“You are in a well-built house protected from sunshine and rain, and then you want to go to a place with no roof. I don’t think APC members will do that.”
Reacting to allegations of imposition of candidates particularly in Kano, where some aspirants reportedly opposed consensus arrangements ,Shagari maintained that the process followed democratic and legal provisions.
“You are trying to give an impression that there is a problem within the APC. There is no problem within the APC. Elections have taken place in many places. People are free to complain, and that is democracy.”
“In Kano, nobody has complained to us that people have been imposed on them. People agreed to consensus, and where it was not possible, we went for election.”
“In my own state, Sokoto State, people sat down and agreed on consensus. In fact, it was only in my constituency that one of the contestants said he does not agree with consensus, and we went for election.”
He also cited Section 87 of the Electoral Act to justify the party’s approach:
“The Electoral Act, Section 87 Subsection 1, provides that all aspirants need to agree on a consensus arrangement, and if this fails, there is provision for direct primaries. So the APC has not violated any law.”
On Rivers State politics and the reported crisis within the APC in the state, Shagari said the situation reflects internal democratic tensions but called for calm and unity.
“What is happening in Rivers is also democracy at work. I have no idea and nothing to say about Rivers State other than to call on members of the party to come together so that there can be peace and a free and fair election.”
Responding to Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s reported withdrawal from political contest, Shagari said political leaders should be respected in their personal decisions.
“Governor Fubara is a mature person, well-educated, and he has the right to participate in an election if he wants or not participate if he doesn’t want. So he has taken a decision, and we should respect his decision.”
On the broader message to aggrieved party members, Shagari urged unity and discipline ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Any disappointed APC member has the right to appeal. But my message is that we must concentrate on winning the election in 2027. We must ensure our party remains strong.”
“We must support whoever has won. People should not go on appeal for everything. Remain in your party and solve problems locally in the interest of the party and the country.”
“I am quite confident that at the moment there is no candidate that will be able to defeat our candidate as president. We should all rally around the party and avoid anything that can sabotage the effort to form the next government in 2027.”
Shagari concluded by reaffirming party supremacy and discipline within the APC, insisting that internal mechanisms remain strong enough to resolve disputes without threatening party unity.
Goodness Anunobi
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