By Son Tertsea, Abuja

Following the widespread internal rift that reigns across the states’ APC chapters due to the imposition of candidates via purportedly consensus, arrangements that were after all not consensual, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) last night reportedly had a rethink about the “consensus” mode of primary elections.

The decision for direct primaries may not be unconnected with the widespread resistance from aspirants and grassroots members across the 360 federal constituencies especially as the party is witnessing aspirants and their supporters grumbling, a development that may adversely affect its electoral fortunes.

Last night, the APC shifted the House of Representatives primary election for the 2027 general elections to Saturday, 16th May, 2026, noting that the adjustment affects only the House of Representatives primaries, while dates for other elections remain unchanged. The shift in date for house of representatives may help to effectively and efficiently handle logistics for the direct primaries.

President Bola Tinubu worried by the internal crises has called on members of the ruling party to uphold unity, fairness and sportsmanship as the party commences its nationwide primary elections.

In a statement released ahead of the primaries, he said the exercise is a defining moment for the party, noting that the APC, founded on the principles of progressive politics, consensus-building and sacrifice, was preparing for its fourth electoral cycle since inception.

His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, released the statement in which President Tinubu also called on APC leaders across the federation to conduct primary elections wherever consensus failed.

“Election is an essential ingredient of democracy. Where consensus fails, I urge us all to go into the primaries as brothers and sisters.

“In every contest, there will be a winner and a loser. I urge the winners not to gloat in victory and the losers to show sportsmanship by taking things in their stride and preparing for another time. The ultimate winners are those who don’t choose to wreck the boat but rather work to prepare for another round. Our opponents are waiting for us to be against each other; we should disappoint them.”

We recall that the NWC had advocated for consensus in what was designed to bolster party cohesion, but that expectation has since failed with the avalanche of internal crises across the states.

With the party’s Organising Department on Thursday dispatching election materials and result sheets to all states signals the green light for direct primaries. This flexibility may turn out to be a master move as losers in a transparently conducted contest may be more disposed to accepting its outcome: favourable or not.

By wumi Tewogbade, Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Thursday dismissed reports of an alleged alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), describing the claim as “Political 419.”

Speaking with journalists, during an inspection of ongoing road projects in Gomani-Yangoje , Kwali Area Council, Abuja, Wike accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of misleading Nigerians with claims of a PDP-APM alliance ahead of the 2027 elections.

“When I say people are fraudulent, they thought I was joking. And that’s the 419 we are talking about,” Wike declared.

He said both the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were not aware of the existence of such alliance.

“There’s no alliance between PDP and Allied Peoples Movement (APM) or any other political party, as the case may be. INEC also knows that there’s nothing called PDP-APM alliance,” he stated.

According to him, ongoing political activities within the PDP, including the screening of aspirants, clearly showed that the party remained independent and had not entered into any coalition arrangement.

“PDP has presented a presidential candidate and watch out who will be submitted to INEC and see whether there’s anything called PDP-APM,” he added.

Wike further alleged that Makinde was pursuing his personal presidential ambition through the APM platform.

“What you have is Seyi Makinde joining APM to be able to actualize his presidential ambition, which is already dead on arrival,” the minister said.

He insisted that Governor Bala Mohammed had never spoken of any PDP-APM alliance, adding that the narrative was merely a political imagination.

“It’s unfortunate. We know that has been his game plan and we would say he cannot fly the flag of PDP,” Wike said.

The minister also reacted to comments credited to the Governor of Rivers State concerning his continued membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the governor has not told anyone to pity him.

“Sorry for what? Why are you saying problem when nobody has told you he has a problem?” Wike asked.

“The man has told you he still remains APC. So what is the problem now?”

He maintained that issues concerning the governor’s standing within the APC remained the party’s internal affair.

“Ask me about PDP, I will answer you. Because how will you ask me whatever happens? Assuming he has a problem, it’s their internal affairs,” he stated.

By Wumi Tewogbade Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed insinuations following his recent visit to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, stating that he does not practice “politics of enmity”.

Speaking with newsmen during a project inspection on Wednesday, Wike clarified that his interaction with the APC chairman was a matter of personal association and professional courtesy rather than a formal political meeting.

The Minister had inspected the ongoing construction of roads in Karu, Apo-Karshi and Kubwa, to ensure completion as scheduled.

Responding to questions regarding the lack of a formal briefing after the visit, the Minister maintained that he is under no obligation to disclose details of his private life or social interactions.

Wike argued that every individual has the freedom to associate with others regardless of political affiliations.

He maintained that the visit was private, questioning why such a personal act should be announced to the “whole world”.

He rejected the idea that members of different political parties, such as the APC and PDP, should avoid each other.

Wike reminded reporters of his long-standing relationship with Yilwatda, noting that both had served as colleagues when was a minister.

“We’re all colleagues before he left for the chairmanship of APC. So what I should do anytime I see him is to hide? Anytime he sees me, he should run away so people will not say something?”

He explained that the visit was a reciprocal gesture after Yilwatda had made several unsuccessful attempts to see him at his office.

Wike noted that as a busy minister, he often receives many visitors, and since the APC Chairman could not secure an appointment at the office, he opted to visit the APC chairman at his residence to hear what he had to say.

The Minister emphasized that his primary concern remained the fulfillment of his duties and the satisfaction of his “appointor”.

He stated that he remained indifferent to public perception or “what somebody on the road is thinking” as long as he is carrying out his assigned tasks dutifully.

“What’s important to me is what I’m doing for my people,” Wike concluded, asserting that the results of his work hold more weight than political speculation.