By Okoi Obono-Obla
The All Progressives Congress (APC) concluded its senatorial primaries on 19 May 2026. In Cross River State, two serving senators easily retained their tickets, while another was dramatically unseated by a debonair young newcomer — a result that shocked many political watchers. Almost immediately, speculation spread that the defeated aspirants had rushed to Abuja, lobbying party oligarchs to overturn the upset.
This raises a fundamental question: can the National Executive Committee (NEC), or any other organ of the APC, bypass the Appeal Committee and sit as a court to review petitions from aggrieved aspirants?
The answer lies in the APC Constitution (2013, as amended) and the Electoral Act, 2026. The Constitution clearly empowers the Appeal Committee to hear disputes arising from primaries. The NEC and other organs are bound by this provision and cannot usurp the Committee’s jurisdiction. The Electoral Act reinforces this principle, requiring parties to conduct primaries in line with their constitutions and providing that aggrieved aspirants may seek redress first through internal mechanisms, and then in the courts. Any attempt to arbitrarily substitute candidates or override the Appeal Committee would be ultra vires — beyond the powers of the NEC — and contrary to law.
Conclusion:
The Cross River upset is more than a local drama; it is a litmus test of APC’s commitment to internal democracy. The Appeal Committee is the lawful forum for grievances, and beyond it, only the courts can intervene. Lobbying party oligarchs in Abuja may be politically expedient, but it cannot replace due process. For APC to maintain credibility, it must respect its Constitution and the Electoral Act, ensuring that the will of the delegates — however surprising — is upheld.
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