The All Progressives Congress (APC) has adopted consensus arrangements as its preferred choice for intra-party leadership selection, a strategy aimed at preserving unity and strengthening electoral preparedness. This approach has been consistently applied across various party structures, including ward, local government, state, and zonal congresses. The consensus model has produced candidates and leaders with minimal friction, with notable examples in states like Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo.
In these states, consensus figures such as Obafemi Hamzat, Senator Solomon Adeola (Yayi), and Senator Sarafa Ali have emerged as potential candidates. The consensus model was also deployed in Osun, where Bola Oyebanji emerged as the party's standard bearer to challenge the incumbent governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
In Ogun State, Senator Adeola's governorship ambition is seen as a representation of the age-long yearning of the Ogun West stakeholders, particularly the marginalised Yewa/Awori people. His supporters view his ambition as a regional expression of a historical grievance and a state-wide appeal to political ideals.
The APC is now set to replicate this consensus model in deciding its 2027 governorship candidate in Kwara State. Senator Saliu Mustapha has emerged as a possible consensus candidate, with his credentials within the party firmly established. Mustapha's association with former President Muhammadu Buhari and his role in the historic 2013 merger that birthed the APC make him a compelling candidate.
The APC's reliance on consensus arrangements raises questions about the party's commitment to internal democracy. The emergence of Senator Saliu Mustapha as a possible consensus candidate in Kwara State suggests a top-down approach to candidate selection, rather than a bottom-up process that allows for genuine competition. This approach may undermine the party's ability to field a candidate who truly represents the interests of the people of Kwara State. As the APC looks to replicate its consensus model in other states, it must ensure that this approach does not stifle competition and undermine the party's democratic credentials. The APC's decision-making process must be transparent and inclusive, allowing for a genuine debate about the party's future and the candidates who will represent it.
