Petitions, protests, legal threats and accusations of candidate imposition have continued to trail the All Progressives Congress screening exercise across several states ahead of the 2027 general elections, exposing growing divisions within the ruling party.

Aggrieved aspirants and stakeholders in states including Taraba, Kano, Jigawa, Benue, Kogi, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Rivers, Plateau, Anambra, Zamfara and Abia have faulted the outcome of the ongoing screening process, with some threatening court action and possible defections.

The APC screening exercise is part of preparations for the party primaries scheduled to begin this month. However, the process has triggered widespread controversy over alleged manipulation, consensus arrangements and disqualification of aspirants.

In Taraba State, tensions escalated following the endorsement of some incumbent lawmakers after the screening exercise.

The endorsement of Senator Shuaibu Isa Lau for another term in Taraba North generated backlash from youth groups and party stakeholders.

A stakeholder from Karim Lamido Local Government Area, Paul Penuel, described the senator’s tenure as “a complete failure,” insisting there was no measurable achievement to justify another mandate.

Another constituent, Dickson Kwinde, warned against repeating what he called “a costly political mistake.”

The Coalition of Concerned Youths and Voice of the Proletariat also rejected the endorsement, insisting the senator had “nothing to show for his years in office.”

Party insiders disclosed that some aspirants were already preparing petitions over alleged procedural irregularities and attempts to impose consensus candidates.

In Kano State, at least 20 aspirants contesting Senate, House of Representatives and State Assembly tickets were reportedly screened out despite earlier reconciliation efforts.

Affected aspirants included former Head of Service Usman Bala, Sha’aban Sharada and A.A. Zaura among others.

Although the APC said six aspirants eventually stepped down for former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau in Kano Central after reconciliation meetings, protests continued to trail the arrangement.

A group, Coalition for Better Kano, criticised the endorsement of Shekarau, arguing that loyal party members were being sidelined.

Efforts by Governor Abba Yusuf to calm tensions reportedly suffered setbacks after some aggrieved stakeholders boycotted reconciliation meetings.

In Jigawa State, former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Isah Idris, resigned from the APC after being disqualified during screening.

In his resignation letter, Idris accused the party of abandoning its founding principles before defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party.

Other prominent figures, including former Speaker Idris Garba and serving lawmaker Abubakar Sadiq, were also reportedly edged out during the exercise.

Party insiders warned that unresolved grievances could weaken the APC ahead of the elections.

In Benue State, about 40 House of Assembly aspirants were reportedly disqualified, sparking complaints over alleged violations of zoning arrangements.

Supporters of affected aspirants accused the party of marginalising certain blocs.

One supporter, Amos, warned that the situation could hurt the APC electorally if not resolved.

In Kogi State, protests erupted over allegations that nomination forms were selectively distributed to preferred aspirants under what critics described as a “Commando arrangement.”

A party chieftain, Chief Femi Olugbemi, accused the leadership of abandoning democratic principles and locking out grassroots politicians.

The controversy has intensified fears of mass defections and legal disputes within the state chapter.

In Anambra State, the APC expelled about 30 members, including aspirants, for taking legal action against the party.

The state APC Publicity Secretary, Valentine Iyiegbu, said the party acted in line with its constitution.

He added that the expelled members would only be reconsidered if they withdrew their court cases.

In Kaduna State, controversy erupted over attempts to impose consensus candidates for National Assembly positions.

Former lawmaker Shehu Sani is reportedly being favoured for Kaduna Central Senatorial District, a move rejected by other aspirants including former Speaker Yusuf Zailani and activist Yarima Shettima.

“We strongly reject the so-called consensus arrangement,” Shettima declared.

Zailani’s camp also warned against imposing candidates on party members.

In Ebonyi State, APC senatorial aspirant Chief Christian Nwali resigned from the party after losing out in a consensus arrangement.

Nwali, an ally of Works Minister David Umahi, announced his resignation with immediate effect.

In Rivers State, the APC House of Assembly Screening Appeal Committee confirmed that 65 aspirants were disqualified while 33 were cleared.

Chairman of the appeal panel, Dr Abdul Mahmud, disclosed that the committee had already received 19 petitions from aggrieved aspirants.

Mahmud criticised the party for allegedly failing to formally communicate disqualification decisions to affected aspirants.

“Most of them said they only saw their non-clearance on Facebook,” he said.

He urged the party to improve communication processes in future exercises.

In Plateau State, anxiety continued to grow as aspirants awaited the official release of screening results.

Some aspirants claimed they had been verbally informed of their disqualification without any formal communication.

Party insiders warned that unresolved grievances could reopen old factional divisions within the state chapter.

In Imo State, the APC said the final list of cleared aspirants would be released after completion of the screening process.

Similarly, screening exercises were still ongoing in Abia, Gombe and Zamfara states.

In Zamfara, the APC disclosed that 114 forms had been sold for just 22 House of Assembly seats, with only 105 aspirants appearing for screening so far.