Nigeria's APC Conducts Internal Elections Across Multiple States Ahead of 2027 General Elections
The All Progressives Congress has completed ward and local government congresses in Cross River, Katsina, and Lagos states, with party officials describing the exercises as peaceful and viewing them as positive indicators for the 2027 electoral contest.
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Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded ward and local government congresses across several states, with party officials characterizing the internal elections as successful and positioning them as momentum-builders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The congresses, which took place simultaneously in Cross River, Katsina, and Lagos states, represent a critical phase in the party's internal restructuring as it prepares for the next electoral cycle. Party officials have described the exercises as largely peaceful, marking a departure from the contentious internal elections that have previously characterized Nigerian political parties.
Cross River and Katsina Congresses Signal Party Unity
In Cross River State, the APC leadership has described the recently conducted ward and local government congresses as "highly successful" and positioned them as a prelude to the party's anticipated victory in the state in 2027, according to This Day. The state has historically been a competitive battleground between the APC and opposition parties, making the smooth conduct of these internal elections strategically significant for the ruling party's expansion efforts in the South-South geopolitical zone.
Katsina State, a key northern stronghold for the APC, witnessed congresses across all 34 local government areas. Jamilu Uwais-Zaki, Chairman of the Ward and Local Government Congress Appeal Committee for Katsina State, celebrated the exercise as a sign of impending victory in 2027, according to Business Day. The peaceful nature of the congresses in Katsina is particularly noteworthy given the state's political importance as the home state of President Bola Tinubu's predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, and its status as one of Nigeria's most populous northern states.
"The successful conduct of these congresses across the 34 local government areas demonstrates the party's organizational capacity and unity of purpose," the appeal committee emphasized, suggesting that the exercise reflected grassroots support for the party's leadership structure.
Lagos Emerges with New Leadership Structure
In Lagos State's Alimosho Local Government Area—one of Africa's most populous local government districts—the APC installed new executive members following its local government congress. According to the Peoples Gazette, party officials urged members to support the new chairman and executive team to ensure success. Alimosho's political significance extends beyond its population; it serves as a bellwether for political trends in Lagos State, Nigeria's commercial capital and the APC's most reliable electoral fortress.
The installation of new leadership in Alimosho reflects the party's strategy of refreshing its grassroots structures while maintaining control in its traditional strongholds. Lagos State has consistently delivered overwhelming victories for the APC since the party's formation in 2013, making the smooth transition of local leadership critical to maintaining this electoral dominance.
Strategic Implications for 2027 Electoral Landscape
The simultaneous conduct of these congresses across geographically and politically diverse states—from the northern heartland of Katsina to the southern coastal state of Cross River and the southwestern megacity of Lagos—demonstrates the APC's nationwide organizational reach. Political analysts view robust internal party structures at the ward and local government levels as essential prerequisites for electoral success in Nigeria's complex federal system.
The emphasis on peaceful conduct represents a deliberate messaging strategy by the APC leadership, which has faced criticism in previous election cycles over allegations of internal discord and imposition of candidates. By highlighting the orderly nature of these congresses, party officials appear to be signaling both internal cohesion and readiness for the 2027 electoral contest.
However, the true test of these congresses will emerge in the coming months as the party navigates potential disputes through its appeal mechanisms and assesses whether the new leadership structures can effectively mobilize voters. Nigeria's electoral landscape remains highly competitive, with opposition parties also conducting their own internal restructuring exercises ahead of 2027.
The APC's ability to maintain unity across its diverse geographic and ethnic constituencies while managing the ambitions of various political factions will prove crucial as the country moves closer to the next general elections. These ward and local government congresses represent the foundational layer of that organizational challenge, with state and national conventions expected to follow in the coming months.