The All Progressives Congress has withdrawn its initial list of senatorial candidates after intense pressure from a powerful former lawmaker, issuing a revised roster ahead of its primary elections.
The party's decision to backtrack came hours after the former senator publicly challenged the clearance process, signalling deep divisions within the ruling party over how candidates were vetted for the upper chamber race. Sources within the APC national secretariat confirmed the party rushed out the updated list to address concerns that the original screening had shut out viable contenders.
The former senator, whose name and specific complaints were not immediately disclosed in party channels, wielded enough clout to force the reversal. His intervention underscores the ongoing power plays between old guards and new forces competing for control of the party's structure and its ticket for the 2025 elections.
APC insiders said the original list had faced criticism from multiple quarters, with some aspirants claiming the screening committee operated without transparency or clear criteria. The updated list now includes names previously rejected, though the party has not publicly acknowledged which candidates were reinstated or why the initial decisions were reversed.
Party officials have not yet announced when the senatorial primary will hold or whether the revised clearance list is final. The development reflects the tension plaguing the APC as it prepares for primary elections across the country, with similar complaints emerging from gubernatorial and House of Representatives aspirants in various states.
The party's national working committee is expected to meet this week to address the broader clearance crisis and establish a uniform process for all aspirants. Political analysts said the party risks further instability if it does not quickly resolve the confusion around candidate screening before primaries commence.
