A fresh disagreement may be brewing between the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the party’s revised list of senatorial candidates for the 2027 general elections. The development follows the APC’s decision to restore the nominations of several serving senators after reviewing petitions arising from its primary elections.
The APC National Working Committee approved changes affecting candidates in nine states, reinstating six incumbent senators whose earlier defeats in the party’s primaries had generated controversy. The revised list also replaced some previously declared winners based on recommendations from the party’s Primary Election Appeal Committee.
However, INEC has insisted that it will only accept candidates whose names correspond with the results of the primaries monitored and uploaded by the commission. The electoral body warned that any nomination that contradicts its official records could be rejected, raising uncertainty over the APC’s amended list.
Sources within the ruling party said the changes followed interventions by the party leadership and President Bola Tinubu to resolve disputes in states where post-primary disagreements threatened party unity. In some states, compromises were reportedly reached among governors, ministers and other influential stakeholders to balance political interests ahead of the elections.
Despite the controversy, APC officials maintain that the review process complied with the party’s internal appeal mechanism and that all approved candidates are being issued nomination forms for submission to INEC before the commission’s deadline.
The development has heightened tensions within the ruling party, with political observers closely watching whether INEC will accept the revised nominations or insist on the original primary election results already in its possession.
