Investigations by The PUNCH revealed that aggrieved aspirants in states including Taraba, Kano, Jigawa, Anambra, Benue, Kogi, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Rivers, and Plateau are mobilising petitions and possible legal challenges over the outcome of the party’s screening exercises.
The screening exercise forms part of the APC’s nationwide process aimed at reducing the number of aspirants ahead of the party primaries. However, the exercise has already generated controversy in several states, with disqualified aspirants expected to seek redress through appeal committees.
In some states, protests have already erupted, while in others, party stakeholders warned that attempts to impose candidates could trigger defections, anti-party activities and deepen internal divisions ahead of the primaries.
Taraba State, the endorsement of incumbent lawmakers, reportedly backed by party stakeholders after the screening exercise, sparked fierce backlash, particularly in Taraba North Senatorial District, where youth groups and stakeholders openly rejected the endorsement of Senator Shuaibu Isa Lau.
A stakeholder from Karim Lamido Local Government Area, Paul Penuel, described
the senator’s tenure as “a complete failure,” insisting that there was “no record of impactful projects, no policy footprint, and nothing measurable” to justify another term.
Another constituent, Dickson Kwinde, warned that repeating what he called a “costly political mistake” could alienate voters.