Nigeria, June 23 -- The nationwide governorship primary elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were characterised by a whirlwind of high-stakes political manoeuvres, reshaping the sub-national balance of power across Nigeria.

Rather than being defined by fierce electoral contests alone, the primaries were largely shaped by elite negotiations, consensus arrangements, strategic defections, regional balancing and the influence of powerful political actors operating behind the scenes.

In many states, the outcome appeared settled long before delegates cast their votes, reflecting the growing dominance of political calculations over open competition within the ruling party.

The primaries, conducted in line with the Independent Nati...