APC Support Group Issues Urgent Call for Cabinet Reshuffle Ahead of 2027 Elections
The APC League of Democrats, a prominent support group within Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress, has issued a strong demand for President Bola Tinubu to immediately restructure his cabinet. The group specifically calls for the dismissal of two key finance ministers, warning that failure to act could jeopardize the party's prospects in the crucial 2027 general elections.
Targeted Ministers Accused of Undermining Economic Recovery
In a statement released on Monday, February 2, and signed by national coordinator Babajide Oyewole and secretary Chief Rowland Okonkwo, the group identified Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Wale Edun alongside Minister of State for Finance Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite as ministers who must be "relieved of their duties as a matter of urgency." The APC League of Democrats accuses both officials of deliberately sabotaging the government's economic recovery initiatives through their handling of contractor payments.
The group alleges that Edun and Uzoka-Anite have refused to implement President Tinubu's direct orders regarding the resolution of a prolonged dispute between the federal government and indigenous contractors. This standoff involves approximately N4 trillion in unpaid contract sums dating back to 2024, despite these projects having been completed and officially commissioned.
Economic Consequences and Political Ramifications
According to the APC support group, the ministers' alleged defiance has created severe economic disruptions, including restricted currency circulation that affects daily economic activities across Nigeria. The statement emphasizes that this situation "has tainted the economy and painted Nigeria in a bad light" internationally, potentially discouraging foreign investment at a critical time for economic recovery.
The political implications are equally serious, with the group warning that continued inaction could mirror the circumstances that led to the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. "We are seasoned politicians and can read between the lines when appointees are working anticlockwise to sabotage the good intentions and programs of the very government they seem to be representing," the statement reads.
Contractor Protests and Government Response
The controversy stems from sustained protests by the Association of Indigenous Contractors of Nigeria, who have been blocking access to the Federal Ministry of Finance for two weeks. These contractors claim they face "acute bankruptcy" due to unserviceable loans taken to execute federal government projects, with payments allegedly withheld despite presidential and legislative interventions.
While calling for the removal of Edun and Uzoka-Anite, the APC League of Democrats suggested retaining several performing ministers, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and Works Minister Dave Umahi. The group argues that a broader cabinet reshuffle would "give room for efficiency and service delivery" as the administration prepares for the next electoral cycle.
Broader APC Concerns About 2027 Election Prospects
This demand represents the latest in a series of internal party pressures regarding the 2027 elections. The APC League of Democrats explicitly connects the ministers' alleged failures to potential electoral consequences, stating: "We would not allow saboteurs to rewrite the history of 2015 in the coming elections."
The group's statement follows similar concerns raised by other APC factions, including the National Forum of APC Young Professionals, who previously urged the Tinubu administration to prioritize settling debts owed to indigenous contractors. These coordinated calls suggest growing unease within the ruling party about how economic management could impact political fortunes as the 2027 election approaches.
With the cabinet reshuffle demand now publicly articulated by a formal party support group, pressure mounts on President Tinubu to address both the specific contractor payment crisis and broader questions of ministerial accountability as Nigeria navigates complex economic challenges while preparing for another major electoral contest.
