The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to carefully manage the outcome of its upcoming primaries, warning that mishandling internal contests could trigger deep divisions capable of weakening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti during a meeting with key stakeholders from Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Bamidele cautioned party members against disloyalty, internal sabotage, and post-primary bitterness, noting that such behaviour could create openings for opposition parties to exploit.
He specifically warned that parties like the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other emerging political platforms are closely watching developments within the APC, ready to capitalise on any signs of dissatisfaction or internal fractures.
According to him, opposition groups are actively expanding their reach nationwide and are particularly interested in recruiting aggrieved members of the ruling party.
“It is important that we continue to manage the affairs of APC in a way that there is no implosion,” he said. “That is exactly what ADC and some other opposition parties are waiting for, so they can benefit from recruitment of aggrieved members.”
Bamidele stressed that internal discipline and cohesion remain essential for the APC’s stability, insisting that political disagreements must not be allowed to degenerate into long-term resentment or defections.
He also clarified the APC’s nomination process ahead of the 2027 elections, explaining that all aspirants will participate either through consensus arrangements or direct primaries, in line with Nigeria’s electoral laws.
“Everybody will face primaries, including myself,” he said, adding that even candidates emerging through consensus must still undergo formal affirmation across all wards.
He noted that unless consensus is fully universal, the party will still proceed to a voting process, ensuring that all aspirants are subject to internal democratic procedures.
Addressing aspirants who may not emerge victorious, Bamidele urged restraint and maturity, advising them not to view electoral defeat as failure but as part of political timing and circumstance.
“Those who don’t succeed should not see themselves as failures,” he said. “It may simply not be their time, or geopolitical factors may not favour them at that moment. What matters is to remain relevant and consistent within the party.”
2027:Senate Leader warns APC against post-primaries crisis, urges unity
