Nigeria’s democratic journey continues to face one persistent contradiction: while political parties are expected to serve as the training ground for credible leadership, their internal primaries are increasingly becoming a source of division, distrust, and post-election litigation. The question many Nigerians now ask is simple but troubling: can “contested or allegedly manipulated primaries” truly produce legitimate and effective leaders?
Across the political spectrum in 2026, reports, allegations, and internal complaints from party members suggest that the problem is not isolated to one party.
The APC, PDP, ADC, NDC and other smaller parties have all been affected in one form or another by accusations of unfair processes, imposed candidates, and factional control of party structures.
A Pattern of Discontent Across Parties
In many states, aspirants have openly rejected primary outcomes, insisting that the process was compromised from the start. In some cases, delegates’ lists were questioned, while in others, party executives were accused of tilting the process toward “preferred” aspirants.
In one widely discussed political development in Gombe State, internal tensions reportedly emerged within party structures involving key figures such as former Minister of Communications, Isa Ali Pantami, and factions aligned with state-level leadership. Although details remain politically contested, what is clear is that the disagreement contributed to a major realignment in the state’s political landscape, including defections and shifting alliances between parties such as the PDP and other platforms.
Such developments are not isolated. Similar allegations of dissatisfaction have surfaced in other states where aspirants claimed that primaries were either indirectly controlled or lacked transparency, forcing some to abandon their parties or challenge results in court.
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APC, PDP, ADC: Different Parties, Similar Complaints
In the APC, complaints have largely centred on accusations of consensus imposition, last-minute candidate substitutions, and disputes over delegate credibility in several states. Some aspirants argue that primaries often reflect the will of powerful blocs rather than party members.
In the PDP, internal struggles have frequently revolved around leadership disputes and control of party structures ahead of primaries. In some cases, aspirants have rejected outcomes and threatened legal action, claiming exclusion from fair competition.
The NDC, the newest bride among the political gladiators, is experiencing its own fair share of the situation, as many of the aspirants are drying fowl play. Activist turned politician, Aishatu Yusuf, is still licking her wounds from the FCT senatorial seat she contested and felt short-changed by the party apparatus. Same in many states with the ADC.
The ADC and other smaller parties have also not been spared. Reports from some states suggest that internal disagreements over nomination procedures and vote counting have led to public rejection of results by aggrieved aspirants.
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Across these parties, the recurring issue is not just who wins—but how the winner emerges.
When Loss Becomes Defection
One of the most damaging consequences of disputed primaries in Nigeria is the rise of post-primary defections. Aspirants who feel cheated often leave their parties entirely, taking supporters with them and weakening party cohesion ahead of general elections.
This cycle—dispute, dissatisfaction, defection—raises serious questions about political stability and party ideology in Nigeria. When internal democracy fails, loyalty becomes transactional, and political parties risk becoming temporary vehicles for ambition rather than institutions of governance.
Can Such a System Produce Good Leaders?
The central issue is not just legality—it is legitimacy. Even when courts uphold primary outcomes, lingering perceptions of injustice often follow the winners into office. Leaders emerging from deeply divided primaries may find it difficult to unify their parties, much less the wider electorate.
Good leadership requires legitimacy, trust, and internal acceptance. Where primaries are widely perceived as manipulated or unfair, those foundations are weakened from the beginning.
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Reform or Repetition
Nigeria’s democracy cannot mature without credible party primaries. If parties continue to operate systems where outcomes are frequently contested and allegations of manipulation persist, then elections risk becoming the final stage of a flawed process rather than a true democratic selection.
The challenge before political parties is urgent: strengthen internal democracy or continue to produce leaders whose legitimacy is constantly questioned.
