The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) wrapped up its National Convention last weekend at Eagle Square, and party loyalists are already calling it a show of strength. The gathering, which saw Bola Ahmed Tinubu adopted as the party’s sole presidential candidate, was widely described by supporters as proof that the party remains united and ready to tackle the demands of governance.
For many within the APC, the calm and orderly atmosphere of the convention signaled that the party can settle internal disagreements and still present a solid front ahead of future elections.
But behind the celebratory mood, a different battle is quietly taking shape. As attention shifts from congresses and the convention to upcoming primaries for key elective positions, several states are already emerging as battlegrounds where rival factions are jostling for control ahead of the 2027 elections.
New rules — including compulsory digital membership registers and stricter timelines for primaries — have pushed camps within the party to mobilise early. The result is rising tension in a number of states where political ambitions are beginning to collide.
*Ogun: Succession Politics Heating Up*
In the South-West, Ogun State has quickly become a focal point. With Governor Dapo Abiodun approaching the final stretch of his second term, the race to succeed him has quietly intensified. What started as subtle maneuvering has now spilled into open political positioning.
One of the most visible figures in the build-up is Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi. The senator has been strengthening his grassroots network, recently displaying his political machinery during local congress activities in Yewa South — a move many interpret as a clear signal of his governorship ambition.
The debate over zoning has also taken centre stage. Many voices in Ogun West insist the region deserves its turn, pointing out that it has never produced a governor since the state was created in 1976. Advocacy groups like the Ogun West Initiative are pushing the APC leadership to reserve the ticket for the district.
Adeola has become the face of that campaign. As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, he commands significant influence and resources, and his camp has received public backing from prominent allies like Opeyemi Bamidele, who recently described him as the most viable candidate for 2027.
Still, resistance is building. Political heavyweights from the Egba and Ijebu blocs remain wary of Adeola’s transition from Lagos politics into Ogun’s power structure and are reportedly trying to rally behind an alternative candidate.
Speculation is also swirling that Governor Abiodun may be keeping options open, with names like Adesola Elegbeji and Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, often mentioned within the Governor’s inner circle as possible successors aligned with his agenda.
Sources within the party say Adeola may formally declare his ambition soon after the convention. One insider suggested his growing popularity has unsettled the political establishment in the state.
*Kwara: Old Allies Now Rivals*
In Kwara State, tensions are building within the APC over who will succeed Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. As the governor’s tenure winds down, rival factions — including members of the original Otoge movement — are now competing for influence ahead of the primaries.
The contest is expected to be wide open, with strong agitation from Kwara North, the only senatorial district yet to produce a governor since 1999. Politicians from the zone, including Sadiq Umar, have hinted at working together to avoid splitting votes.
Adding another layer to the debate, some party members are pushing for a Christian successor to break the long-standing Muslim leadership pattern in the state. Party leaders in Abuja are said to sympathise with the North’s demand for power rotation but have stopped short of officially zoning the ticket.
*Oyo: Managing Zoning Tensions*
In Oyo State, the APC is trying to maintain balance through a combination of zoning and consensus politics. Party spokesman, Olawale Sadare, insists leadership positions were shared across all 33 local government areas to ensure fairness.
The emergence of former deputy governor, Moses Alake Adeyemo, has sparked discussions about the direction of the race, but party leaders maintain that competence and experience — not internal pressure — will ultimately determine the candidate.
*Lagos: The Big Question*
Meanwhile, political watchers in Lagos are closely observing what happens next as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu nears the end of his tenure.
One of the most talked-about possibilities is Seyi Tinubu, son of President Tinubu, who has been drafted into the conversation by several youth groups — a development that has sparked both excitement and controversy.
Other prominent names include Tokunbo Abiru; Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat; and Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.
Ultimately, the powerful Governor’s Advisory Council is expected to play a decisive role in determining who gets the nod. Until that signal comes, the field remains wide open.
*Delta: Power Shift Sparks Division*
In Delta State, the political landscape has been shaken by the recent defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and several lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC.
The move has reshaped the party’s internal hierarchy and left supporters of former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, feeling sidelined.
Critics claim delegate lists during the congress were harmonised behind closed doors rather than decided through open voting.
*Zamfara: Old Rivals Under One Roof*
Perhaps the most surprising political twist came in Zamfara State, where Governor Dauda Lawal stunned observers by defecting from the PDP to the APC in March 2026.
His predecessor, Bello Matawalle, has since publicly backed him for the 2027 race. But the alliance is far from smooth, especially as Lawal’s government continues pursuing a ₦70 billion corruption case against Matawalle.
By joining the APC, Lawal has strengthened his grip on the state, but he now shares the stage with powerful party figures such as Abdul’aziz Yari and Kabiru Marafa — setting the stage for yet another high-stakes political contest.
If the early signals are anything to go by, the APC may have wrapped up its convention, but the real political battles for 2027 are only just beginning.
