The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commenced its pivotal ward congresses across the country today, Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with AAN TV regarding the state of internal democracy, prominent party chieftain Ogboni Fouad Oki dismissed the popular narrative that the party leadership simply imposes candidates on the rank and file.
Instead, Ogboni Oki turned the spotlight on the aspirants themselves, asserting that many politicians within the APC fold are actively shunning democratic rigour in favour of backroom deals.
When pressed on whether the party “imposes” names, Oki argued that the crisis of internal democracy is often fueled by the candidates’ own reluctance to test their popularity at the polls.
“Candidates in the APC frequently want to be handpicked into positions without going through the legitimate process,” Oki told AAN TV.
A Litmus Test for Transparency
This bracing commentary comes at a critical juncture as party members gather at their respective wards today to elect officials.
The exercise is seen as a foundational step toward the 2027 general elections, serving as a litmus test for the party’s ability to manage internal competition without descending into chaos.
In Benue State, the party has already begun the distribution of materials, with officials such as Mr Ishiye assuring members that the exercise will be hitch-free.
However, the shadow of “handpicking” mentioned by Mr Oki remains a point of concern for observers monitoring the transparency of today’s proceedings.
Governor Sule Pledges Fair Play in Nasarawa
Amidst these national conversations on democratic integrity, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, has moved to reassure party faithful that the era of “imposition” is over in his domain. Speaking at an APC stakeholders’ meeting at Government House, Lafia, on Tuesday, the Governor promised a level playing field for all governorship aspirants ahead of 2027.
“I came in through free and fair primaries, and by the grace of God, I will also conduct free and fair primaries,” Governor Sule stated. “There is no need for anyone to raise tension unnecessarily; the process will be transparent.”
The Governor emphasised that his primary objective is to ensure the emergence of a widely accepted successor who can sustain the party’s leadership in the state.
He expressed his fervent prayer to hand over to another APC governor in 2027, noting that only a credible internal process can produce a candidate strong enough to win the general election.
Strengthening the Ranks
The meeting in Lafia also saw high-level commendations from former Governor Umar Al-Makura, who described the stakeholders’ engagement as a vital step toward unity.
Further boosting the party’s confidence, the Speaker of the Nasarawa House of Assembly, Danladi Jatau, highlighted the APC’s growing dominance, noting that the recent defection of seven lawmakers has granted the party a two-thirds majority in the state parliament.
As the ward congresses unfold today, the contrast between Mr Oki’s warnings of “shortcut seekers” and Governor Sule’s promise of “transparent process” underscores the ongoing struggle for the soul of the APC. Whether the party can move past the culture of being “handpicked” and embrace the ballot will likely determine its fortunes in the 2027 polls.
