APC’s Farouk Aliyu Says Party Ready to Address Grievances From 2027 Candidate Selections
Abuja, May 11, 2026 – Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretary Farouk Aliyu asserted that the party has mechanisms in place to manage discontent that may arise from its candidate‑selection process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Aliyu acknowledged that the party’s primaries and consensus arrangements would inevitably leave some aspirants disappointed. “There will be broken hearts and unfulfilled ambitions,” he said, noting that the emotional impact of losing a ticket is a natural consequence of competitive politics.
Despite the expected frustration, Aliyu called on aggrieved members to remain loyal to the APC. He said party leaders would continue to engage dissatisfied aspirants through dialogue, promises of future opportunities and, where appropriate, appointments. “The party has a mechanism for trying to appease those whose hearts are going to be broken,” he added.
The APC’s internal decision‑making, according to Aliyu, is shaped by broad consultations among party stakeholders rather than the sole discretion of state governors. He explained that while governors may have significant influence, other actors often carry more weight in finalising candidates. “Even a governor cannot act unilaterally because there are other stakeholders more important than a governor in the state,” he said.
When consensus cannot be reached, the party will resort to direct primaries, Aliyu explained. “Where there is consensus, we go with it; where there is none, we hold direct primaries,” he clarified. He reiterated that the APC is prepared to implement both approaches as required by the political landscape.
Aliyu also highlighted the fluid nature of political promises. “Politics is dynamic. Today is one thing, tomorrow another. A ticket promised by a governor may not materialise because of shifting stakeholder interests,” he remarked.
The APC’s strategy, as presented by Aliyu, is to combine consensus‑building with competitive primaries, while using internal communication and reward mechanisms to mitigate the fallout from excluded aspirants. By doing so, the party hopes to preserve unity ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle, which will include presidential, gubernatorial and legislative contests across Nigeria.
The statements come at a time when internal party cohesion is under close scrutiny, with several opposition parties similarly grappling with aspirant dissatisfaction. How effectively the APC can balance consensus, primary elections and post‑primary reconciliation will likely influence its performance in the upcoming polls.
