By Nahum Sule, Jalingo
A deepening rift within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State has spilled into the courts, after former Power Minister Saleh Mamman rejected the party’s proposed consensus arrangement for selecting candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mamman, a governorship aspirant, has emerged as the leading voice among aggrieved stakeholders demanding direct primaries instead. He argues that consensus undermines internal democracy and contradicts President Bola Tinubu’s repeated calls for inclusiveness and participation.
“Direct primaries allow party members to freely choose credible candidates,” Mamman said, warning that imposing consensus picks could breed mistrust, resentment, and defections.
Supporters of direct primaries fear the proposed arrangement will alienate members and deepen existing fractures within the Taraba APC.
With tensions escalating, the matter is now before a court, a move observers say could shape the party’s internal processes and electoral strategy as 2027 approaches. The outcome may prove pivotal for APC cohesion in Taraba.
