Mass Defections Loom in APC as Disqualified Aspirants Weigh Exit Options Ahead of INEC Deadline

By Gambo Jagindi
May 22, 2026

The All Progressives Congress faces the prospect of widespread defections as discontent over internal democracy and aspirant disqualifications spread across its state chapters, with a September deadline now giving aggrieved members a legal window to switch platforms.

The unrest follows a wave of disqualifications by APC screening panels ahead of the 2027 primaries. Across multiple states, long-serving members and high-profile aspirants have been barred from contesting, with party insiders citing interference by powerful forces to favor preferred candidates.

The tension is already translating into political realignment. In Kano, a lawmaker representing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s constituency at the State House of Assembly has defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) after losing his return ticket. Party sources say his exit reflects a broader frustration among members who feel sidelined by the selection process.

Rivers State illustrates the scale of the rift. Tein Jack-Rich, a prominent APC chieftain who has supported the party financially and politically for 13 years, was disqualified from the race. The decision cleared the way for candidates linked to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, including Hon. Felix Obuah, who joined the APC only three months ago.

Jack-Rich’s supporters are now mounting pressure on him to leave the APC and join another party to pursue his political goals. They argue that his loyalty and contributions to the party deserve recognition, not exclusion.

He is not alone. Professor Ali Pantami, Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko and several other high-profile aspirants nationwide have faced similar sidelining, deepening resentment within the party.

The risk of further exits has grown after a recent court ruling extended the deadline for political parties to submit membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission to September. The decision provides disqualified aspirants time to defect and still meet INEC’s requirements to contest on another platform.

Analysts say the extended timeline has raised the stakes for the APC’s national leadership. Without swift moves to address complaints and restore confidence in the process, the party risks losing experienced politicians and weakening its grassroots structure ahead of 2027.

“The longer these grievances fester, the more attractive opposition platforms become,” a party source in Abuja said. “You can’t keep sidelining people who have built the party for over a decade and expect loyalty.”

The APC has not issued a nationwide statement on the disqualifications or the growing defection threats. As primaries progress, the leadership faces a balancing act between maintaining control and preventing an exodus that could alter the political map ahead of the general elections.

Jagindi is a digital media publisher writes from Abuja via jagindi2016@gmail.com