2027: Unresolved Primary Grievances Test APC Unity in Taraba

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State is facing an internal challenge over unresolved grievances linked to its governorship primary, with supporters of former Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, expressing frustration over what they describe as the party leadership’s prolonged silence.

The grievances reportedly emerged after the governorship primary, with petitions and concerns raised by members of Sambo’s camp still awaiting a resolution.

The situation has continued to generate concerns within the party, particularly as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gradually intensify.

A key feature of the unfolding dispute is Sambo’s decision to remain in the APC despite the unresolved complaints.

Rather than defecting to another political party, as often happens when aspirants become dissatisfied with the outcome of internal elections, the former minister has continued to identify with the APC.

His decision has added another dimension to the dispute, as his supporters maintain that their grievances should be addressed through the party’s internal structures.

Sources close to Sambo said his continued membership of the APC means that the concerns raised by his camp cannot simply be dismissed as the complaints of former members who have left the party.

Political analysts who spoke to our reporter said the unresolved dispute could become a concern for the APC’s mobilisation efforts if it is allowed to persist.

Stanley Moses and Usman Rayuwa said the party would need to address the grievances and strengthen internal reconciliation ahead of the 2027 elections.

They noted that Sambo remains a significant political figure within the APC and that continued dissatisfaction among his supporters could affect party cohesion and grassroots mobilisation.

Sambo had also recently dismissed speculation that he was planning to leave the APC, reaffirming his commitment to the party and describing himself as one of the founding pillars of the organisation.

His decision to remain within the party has therefore increased attention on how the APC leadership intends to resolve the issues raised by his camp.

The situation has also drawn attention to the recent visit of the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, to Taraba State.

Yilwatda visited the state, where he celebrated his birthday and held engagements with party stakeholders as preparations for the next general elections gradually gather momentum.

There is, however, no official indication that the national chairman’s visit was specifically linked to the grievances raised by Sambo and his supporters.

The engagement nevertheless comes at a time when the party is seeking to strengthen its structures and manage internal differences ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Taraba State chapter of the APC has meanwhile identified reconciliation as part of its strategy for managing disagreements within the party.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Aaron Artimas, said the APC was committed to achieving greater unity ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Artimas disclosed that the party had inaugurated committees across the three senatorial zones as part of efforts to address internal disagreements.

He urged aggrieved members to embrace dialogue and cooperate with the party leadership in finding solutions to their concerns.

According to him, the objective is to ensure that the APC enters the next electoral cycle as a united political family.

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The reconciliation effort could provide an avenue for the party to engage members who remain dissatisfied with issues arising from its previous internal processes.

However, the effectiveness of the initiative may depend on whether the grievances raised by the Sambo camp receive concrete attention rather than being addressed solely through general appeals for unity.

The development presents the Taraba APC leadership with a delicate political challenge.

On one hand, the party must maintain discipline and respect its internal structures. On the other, unresolved grievances involving prominent members could become a source of tension as the 2027 elections draw closer.

For Sambo and his supporters, remaining in the APC appears to signal a preference for pursuing their grievances from within the party rather than seeking an alternative political platform.

For the party leadership, the immediate task is to prevent the disagreement from widening into a larger internal crisis that could affect its electoral preparations.

With reconciliation committees now operating across the three senatorial zones, attention will increasingly focus on whether the initiative can produce tangible solutions to the grievances and restore confidence among affected members.

How the APC manages the dispute could ultimately have implications for its ability to maintain internal cohesion and build an effective electoral structure in Taraba ahead of the 2027 general elections.