APC candidate substitution process defended by Felix Morka as the party denies wrongdoing and explains how post-primary changes were handled
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, in Nigeria defended its candidate substitution process after primaries, with National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka insisting that all changes made to candidates followed established party procedures and did not violate electoral laws.
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Felix Morka made the clarification during an interview on ARISE NEWS while responding to allegations that the ruling party replaced some primary election winners or gave tickets to individuals who did not take part in the nomination process.
The APC spokesman said the party received more than 720 petitions from aspirants who were dissatisfied with the outcomes of its primaries. According to him, the complaints were reviewed by appeal committees before recommendations were submitted to the party’s National Working Committee.
Morka explained that the National Working Committee also examined the recommendations before approving changes in some cases.
“We received over 720 petitions from those who contested in that election. These petitions were reviewed by the appeal committees. Recommendations were made to the National Working Committee,” he said.
He added that the final decisions represented legitimate outcomes of the party’s internal review process rather than arbitrary replacements.
Addressing concerns that candidate substitutions after primaries breached the Electoral Act, Morka argued that primary elections should be viewed as a complete process that includes mechanisms for resolving disputes.
“Primary election is a process. It’s not an event. The appeal process is an integral part of the primary election process,” he said.
Morka rejected claims that the APC handed nomination tickets to individuals who neither purchased forms nor participated in the primaries.
“I’m not aware of any such case that you are alluding to about those who didn’t participate, who never bought forms, who were not screened, who didn’t participate in primaries, all of a sudden handed tickets,” he said.
The party spokesman acknowledged that some aspirants remained unhappy after losing out in the process but said the APC made efforts to address complaints through its internal structures.
“When they don’t win, naturally some people definitely have a reason to be dissatisfied,” Morka stated, adding that the party had continued engaging affected aspirants to reassure them that decisions were not based on personal interests.
The controversy over candidate substitutions has become a recurring issue in Nigerian politics, with political parties often facing criticism from unsuccessful aspirants who question the fairness of internal nomination processes.
Morka maintained that review mechanisms were necessary because primary elections could experience irregularities.
“Primaries are not infallible. Primaries are not immune to irregularities. The system, the law, everything already expects that sometimes things don’t go right, so there must be a mechanism to review that when others complain,” he said.
On concerns that the APC could be under pressure ahead of the 2027 general elections, Morka dismissed suggestions that the party was worried about its prospects.
He said the APC remained confident, citing its performance in recent elections and by-elections.
“We are working hard to win the next election, like we’ve won in all the by-elections. The idea that we’re afraid, that is utterly ridiculous,” he added.
Also read: APC First-Term Governors Meet in Kebbi Over Party, National Issues
The party’s defence comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections, with internal candidate selection processes expected to remain a major area of scrutiny.
