Consensus impossible without written backing of all aspirants, APC chair clarifies

The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has clarified that consensus candidates cannot emerge unless all aspirants who purchase nomination forms formally agree in writing to support a single contender.

Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja, the party’s national chairman, alongside the national secretary, said consensus is only valid where every aspirant signs an undertaking affirming their backing for an agreed candidate.

According to the chairman, consensus cannot be imposed or assumed, stressing that it must be the product of collective agreement among all aspirants in a given race.

He explained that where even one aspirant refuses to sign the undertaking or declines to support the consensus arrangement, the party would have no option but to conduct a direct primary.

The officials noted that this position is in line with the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines, which recognise consensus as one of the modes of candidate selection, alongside direct and indirect primaries.

They added that the requirement is intended to ensure transparency, prevent disputes, and guarantee that any consensus outcome reflects genuine agreement rather than coercion.

The clarification comes amid ongoing permutations within the party ahead of future elections, with the leadership seeking to balance internal democracy with the need for unity.