Unease is spreading across the Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the spectre of a consensus arrangement hangs over the party’s forthcoming primaries. With the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline of May 30, 2026, drawing closer, indications suggest the party may abandon competitive primaries in favour of a harmonised selection process—fueling fears among aspirants that their ambitions could be truncated in the name of party unity.
The growing preference for consensus is not incidental but rooted in the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), which outlines three modes for candidate selection: direct primaries, indirect primaries, and consensus. While the first two allow for varying degrees of electoral contest, the consensus option enables the emergence of candidates through internal agreement among party stakeholders.
Within APC ranks, consensus has increasingly become a defining feature of internal political management. Under this model, all cleared aspirants are expected to voluntarily step down for a single candidate. In line with Section 84(9) of the Electoral Act, such withdrawals must be formalised through written consent—effectively validating the emergence of the agreed candidate without a ballot.
Despite its legal backing, the process remains controversial. Critics often describe it as a veiled imposition that sidelines broader party participation in favour of elite decision-making. In Imo APC, that perception is gaining traction, particularly after the party’s recent State Congress, where consensus was widely deployed to fill positions across board.
The development has unsettled many aspirants in the state, amid strong suspicions that the process may be influenced by Governor Hope Uzodimma. Party insiders believe the governor’s political weight could ultimately determine who secures the party’s tickets, raising concerns that the primaries may be reduced to a mere procedural formality.
This uncertainty has dampened political momentum across the state. With less than two months to the primaries, the usual pre-election buzz—marked by rallies, consultations, and visible campaigns—remains largely absent. Instead, a cautious silence pervades, as aspirants weigh the cost of mobilisation against the risk of being compelled to step down.
Sources within the party indicate that loyalty to the Uzodimma administration may be a decisive factor in the emerging equation. As the governor approaches the final stretch of his tenure, there are suggestions he is keen on ensuring continuity by backing individuals considered dependable allies and custodians of his political agenda.
Compounding the uncertainty is the March 31 deadline issued by President Bola Tinubu, mandating political appointees with electoral ambitions to resign. The directive aligns with statutory requirements but has left many appointees in Imo weighing a difficult gamble—risking their current positions without any guarantee of securing the party’s ticket.
While consensus may offer the APC a pathway to internal cohesion and reduced post-primary litigation, analysts warn it could also suppress internal democracy and alienate grassroots members. In a politically fluid environment like Imo, the imposition—real or perceived—of candidates may trigger dissent and weaken party unity in the long run.
For aspirants, the stakes are exceptionally high. Years of political groundwork and significant financial investments now hang in the balance, with many facing the prospect of exclusion without contest. The anxiety is not merely about losing an election, but about being denied the opportunity to compete altogether.
APC leaders, however, insist the consensus approach is a pragmatic strategy to avoid the internal crises that have historically followed contentious primaries. By securing pre-primary agreements, the party aims to project stability and cohesion ahead of the general elections.
Yet, among many stakeholders, the process is viewed less as collective agreement and more as orchestrated compliance. The requirement for written consent is often seen as a formal endorsement of decisions already taken behind closed doors.
As the countdown to the INEC deadline continues, the Imo APC faces a delicate balancing act—between enforcing unity and preserving democratic participation. Whether consensus will consolidate the party or deepen internal fractures remains uncertain, but for now, aspirants remain caught in a tightening web of political calculation and quiet apprehension.
