APC Tension Explodes as Bandawaire Rejects Consensus Deal Ahead of Primaries
Fresh political tension is building within the All Progressives Congress in Taraba State after senatorial aspirant Kabiru Bello Bandawaire openly rejected plans for a consensus arrangement ahead of the party primaries.
Speaking in Jalingo, Bandawaire declared that consensus is “not democracy,” insisting that only direct and transparent primaries can truly reflect the wishes of party members.
His strong remarks have sparked fresh debate within the APC as internal political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections continue to intensify across the country.
Bandawaire argued that democracy thrives when candidates are freely chosen through open competition rather than through closed-door agreements or political endorsements. According to him, any attempt to impose consensus candidates would undermine fairness and silence the voices of ordinary party members.
The APC aspirant also warned against alleged interference by Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, urging him to allow party members determine their preferred candidates without external influence.
In a direct challenge to the proposed arrangement, Bandawaire questioned why an incumbent three-term senator would fear participating in a competitive primary election if he still enjoys strong grassroots support.
“What is the fear about?” he asked, insisting that true democracy requires open contests rather than political shortcuts.
The controversy deepened after Bandawaire revealed that he personally purchased the APC nomination form for ₦20 million, arguing that party members who invested heavily in the process deserve a fair and transparent contest.
He also dismissed claims that conducting direct primaries would waste resources, maintaining that funding party activities remains the responsibility of the APC rather than the state government.
Political observers believe the disagreement may signal deeper internal divisions within the APC in Taraba State as aspirants and party leaders battle for influence ahead of future elections.
The latest development adds to growing nationwide debates over consensus candidacies, internal democracy, and the increasing tension surrounding party primaries across Nigeria’s political landscape.
As pressure mounts within the APC, many supporters are now watching closely to see whether the party will embrace open competition or push ahead with controversial consensus arrangements before the next election cycle.
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