According to Punch, April 16, 2026, stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, have rejected the adoption of a consensus candidate for the state House of Assembly seat, insisting on the conduct of direct primaries. The party members argued that imposing a consensus arrangement would undermine internal democracy and deny aspirants a fair opportunity to contest. They stressed that only a transparent electoral process can guarantee credibility and unity within the party ahead of future elections.
The report revealed that the stakeholders expressed concerns over alleged attempts to sideline other qualified aspirants through consensus, noting that such a move could create discontent among party loyalists. They called on the party leadership at both the state and national levels to intervene and ensure that due process is followed. According to them, direct primaries would allow all party members to participate actively in choosing their candidate, thereby strengthening grassroots involvement and trust in the system.
In response, party leaders have been urged to carefully consider the demands of the stakeholders to avoid internal crises that could affect the party’s chances in the elections. Political observers noted that disagreements over candidate selection methods are common but must be handled with fairness and transparency. As the situation develops, attention remains on how the APC leadership will resolve the issue to maintain unity and uphold democratic principles within the party.