APC Bypasses State Governors Amid Alleged Moves Against Tinubu

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly directed some of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections to submit the names of their proposed polling agents directly to the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, amid concerns over alleged anti-party activities by some state governors.

The reported directive represents a departure from the party’s usual practice, under which state chapters compile and forward the names of polling agents to the national leadership.

According to reports published by Vanguard and The Guardian on October 11 and 12, 2026, the arrangement is intended to protect APC candidates against possible attempts to undermine them during the forthcoming elections.

The development comes amid growing concerns over internal disagreements within the ruling party and the relationship between President Bola Tinubu’s camp and some APC governors.

APC Suspects Possible Sabotage in Some States

The reported decision followed allegations by the Oodua Progressive Youths League (OPYL), a South-West APC support group, that some governors were working against candidates who emerged victorious in the party’s National Assembly primaries.

The group alleged that some governors whose preferred aspirants lost the primaries had encouraged them to obtain tickets from opposition parties and contest against APC candidates in 2027.

In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Wale Abdulwaheed, the group further claimed that some of the governors had reached agreements with opposition parties over the selection of polling agents.

According to the allegations, individuals loyal to such governors could be nominated as APC polling agents despite supporting candidates contesting on other political platforms.

The group expressed concern that such an arrangement could undermine the ruling party’s interests during the elections.

However, the allegations have not been independently established, and they should not be treated as proof that any governor has deliberately worked to sabotage the APC.

Ondo State has emerged as a major focus of the reported disagreement following claims that APC candidates there were instructed to submit their polling agents’ details directly to the national secretariat.

A serving National Assembly member from Ondo State, who is also an APC candidate for the 2027 elections, reportedly confirmed the directive but requested anonymity.

According to the lawmaker, the national leadership instructed the state party chairman to provide the relevant forms directly to candidates rather than allow other political actors to control the process.

The lawmaker also alleged that the APC leadership was monitoring the activities of governors across the country and could consider sending campaign funds directly to candidates in states where it suspected possible anti-party activities.

Such a move, if implemented, would further reduce the influence of state governors over the party’s election preparations.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, however, denied allegations that he had encouraged aspirants to contest against APC candidates on the platforms of other political parties.

The governor reportedly described his accusers as “naysayers, blackmailers and slanderers” and maintained that he had never engaged in anti-party activities.

His denial is an important part of the dispute, as the allegations against him remain contested.

The reported changes come at a time when the APC is preparing for the 2027 general elections, in which President Tinubu is expected to seek another term in office.

Reports have also highlighted concerns about the level of support some APC governors are giving the President’s re-election campaign.

A report by The Guardian on October 12 said disagreements within the Progressive Governors Forum and unresolved tensions between sections of the party and the Presidency had raised questions about the party’s political coordination ahead of the elections.

However, the extent of the disagreement varies across states, and the reported tensions do not establish that all APC governors are opposed to Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The party’s ability to manage disagreements following its primaries could prove important as candidates prepare for the next electoral cycle.

Polling agents play an important role in observing proceedings at polling units, monitoring the voting process and helping political parties document electoral irregularities.

Consequently, decisions about who selects and submits their names can become politically sensitive, particularly where rival factions within a party distrust one another.

By reportedly requiring some candidates to submit their agents’ details directly to Abuja, the APC national leadership appears to be seeking greater oversight of its election preparations in states where concerns have been raised.

Whether the arrangement will be extended to more states or applied to campaign funding remains uncertain.

For now, the central issue is whether the reported measures reflect precautionary steps by the party leadership or deeper divisions that could affect its preparations for the 2027 elections.

Neither the alleged sabotage plot nor the claims against individual governors should be regarded as established facts without further independent evidence.

Sources: Vanguard