The internal power struggle within the All Progressives Congress (APC) has taken a strategic turn as political analysts begin to dissect the party’s new stance on candidate selection for the 2027 cycle. On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, Prof. Anthony Kila, Director of the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS), suggested that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara might be the primary target of the party’s “no automatic ticket” policy.
Speaking on Arise TV’s Morning Show, Prof. Kila analyzed how this shift in internal democracy is being used to manage the volatile “atomic table” of Rivers State politics.
The “Targeted” Policy
The APC leadership recently signaled that incumbent office holders—including governors and even the President—will not be granted automatic tickets for the 2027 elections. While the party frames this as a win for internal democracy, Kila argues it is a tactical tool to manage rival power blocs.
Why Fubara is vulnerable:
- The Rivalry: Fubara is locked in a high-stakes feud with his predecessor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
- The “Ministerial Power Broker”: Kila noted that Fubara faces an opponent who is both a “leader of the opposition” in the state and a “leader of the government in power” at the center. This dual role gives Wike significant leverage within the APC national structure.
- The “Latecomer” Status: Fubara officially defected from the PDP to the APC in December 2025. Wike’s allies within the Rivers APC, led by Tony Okocha, have already argued that Fubara’s re-election is not guaranteed because he joined the party “late.”
Eating Their Cake and Having It
Prof. Kila described the APC’s position as an attempt to “assuage” different sides of the conflict. By removing the “automatic” nature of the ticket:
- The party keeps Fubara hopeful and cooperative as a sitting governor.
- The party avoids alienating Wike, who remains a critical political asset for President Tinubu.
- The leadership creates a “competitive” environment where loyalty to the party’s central command becomes the ultimate currency.
The Road to 2027
Despite the policy, there are conflicting signals. In late December 2025, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru signaled support for Fubara’s second-term bid during a rally. However, Wike has openly vowed to block Fubara, accusing him of reneging on peace agreements.
Kila cautioned that this “game of interests” could undermine the very internal democracy the party claims to protect, turning the primary process into a tool for political vendettas rather than a reflection of the people’s will.
