A fresh wave of internal tension is reportedly building within the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a group of governors is allegedly pushing for the removal of the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reports suggest that about five APC governors, dissatisfied with the conduct and outcomes of the party’s 2027 primary elections, are behind the move. The group is said to comprise two governors from the South-West, two from the North-Central, and one from the South-South.
According to party sources, one of the South-West governors is spearheading the alleged plan to replace Yilwatda before the next general election.
The governors are reportedly angered by the chairman’s handling of the recently concluded National Assembly primaries, particularly his insistence that all results must be properly reviewed by the National Working Committee (NWC) before final approval and announcement at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Insiders claim that some of the governors preferred a system where results would be fully collated and winners announced at the state level, which reportedly conflicts with the party’s official guidelines.
However, APC’s 2026 primary election guidelines reportedly stipulate that results must pass through constituency and senatorial district collation before being forwarded to the national headquarters for verification and final ratification by the NWC.
A source at the APC national secretariat, speaking anonymously, alleged that some governors also attempted to influence the process by seeking control over the sale of nomination forms for their preferred candidates. The plan, according to the source, was resisted by the party leadership.
The source further claimed that Yilwatda also rejected attempts by some governors to exclusively nominate members of election and appeal committees, insisting on a more transparent and standardized process.
These decisions, the source added, are believed to have triggered resentment among some governors and fueled discussions about his possible removal.
Reacting to the allegations, the APC National Chairman, through his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, dismissed claims of internal crisis. He maintained that all procedures guiding the primaries were agreed upon by stakeholders and properly followed.
He also clarified that while results may be collated at local and state levels, final declaration remains the responsibility of the National Working Committee after the consideration of appeals.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, through his spokesperson, said he was not speaking on behalf of the forum regarding the matter.
Party insiders, however, insist that the disagreement reflects deeper power struggles within the ruling party ahead of 2027, with some governors allegedly working behind the scenes to reshape the party’s leadership structure.
Sources also noted that the alleged plot has yet to gain the backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is seen as a major obstacle to any leadership change effort.
Professor Nentawe Yilwatda became APC National Chairman in 2025 following the resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje and is widely believed to enjoy the support of President Tinubu.
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