Discordant Tunes Greet APC Convention as 2027 Rivalries Begin
Discordant tunes have emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) following its recent national convention, signaling the early onset of rivalries ahead of the 2027 general elections. The party is grappling with internal conflicts, particularly in Adamawa and Nasarawa states, as key figures jostle for influence and control over party structures.
Adamawa APC in Suspense Over Fintiri-Ribadu Rift
The Adamawa State chapter of the APC is embroiled in a brewing crisis between Governor Ahmadu Fintiri and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu. The conflict centers on the choice of National Vice Chairman for the party, with matters coming to a head after Shuiabu Idris emerged as Zonal Vice Chairman during the recent APC Congress for the North-East. This development has pitched Fintiri and Ribadu against each other ahead of the 2027 APC gubernatorial primaries.
Ribadu's supporters assert that he remains the APC leader in the state, while Governor Fintiri, a new entrant into the APC, has assumed the de facto leadership role. It is gathered that the NSA has already settled for Ahmed Aminu, the Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), as Fintiri's successor. At the North-East zonal congress, Ribadu successfully installed his loyalist, Idris, as the National Vice Chairman, effectively excluding Fintiri's allies from key positions. This move has infuriated the new entrants, who described the congress as an imposition.
There are growing fears within Fintiri's camp that the governor could be losing grip of the necessary structures to determine his successor, as the NSA continues to consolidate his hold on Adamawa APC. Expressing reservations, Ibrahim Mohammed, an influential APC stakeholder and strong ally of Fintiri, maintained that the Gombe zonal mini-convention, which produced Idris, was a sham. He argued that this congress only gave an indication of what was to come within the APC regarding candidate selection for the 2027 elections.
Nasarawa Governor Warns Against Bitterness
In Nasarawa State, Governor Abdullahi Sule has issued a stern warning against bitterness and open conflict among APC governorship aspirants. He emphasized that any form of division within the party would ultimately hurt Nasarawa more than any individual in the forthcoming primary. Sule made this statement during a meeting with all declared APC governorship aspirants at the Governor's Lodge in Abuja, immediately after the APC National Convention.
The meeting, convened at Sule's instance, brought together all declared governorship aspirants alongside former governors and Senators Abdullahi Adamu and Umaru Al-Makura, who declared unwavering commitment to the party's unity and a peaceful primary process ahead of the 2027 general elections. Governor Sule pointed out that, while he would be transparent and sincere throughout the primary election process, this would not preclude him from identifying his preferred zone and aspirant. He added, "This is the beginning of showing you how transparent and sincere I am, as far as this is concerned. That will not stop me from saying this is the zone I prefer. Those who want to listen to me can follow. Those who don't want to listen can do otherwise."
Former Presidential Aide Loses Faith in APC
Hurt by the way the congress unfolded, former presidential aide Okoi Obono-Obla has declared that he has lost faith in the APC. In a statement issued in Calabar, Obono-Obla lamented, "My faith in the party to which I have given my all since 2013 is now badly shaken, more than ever before. In 2022, the party denied me the opportunity to contest as a senatorial candidate, but I did not mind. I continued to work tirelessly for its success at both the National and State Elections in 2023." He stated that the situation calls for deep reflection, as his commitment remains unquestionable, but the path ahead must be chosen with clarity and courage.
APC Steps Up Post-Convention Mobilisation
Meanwhile, authorities in the APC have stepped up post-convention mobilisation efforts, directing its state and zonal coordinators to intensify grassroots engagement and promote the policy achievements of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election. Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, who serves as the Director-General of the party's Renewed Hope Ambassadors network, directed the coordinators to intensify these efforts during the group's fourth strategic meeting in Abuja.
The meeting followed an earlier session of the Progressive Governors' Forum (PGF) at the Presidential Villa, attended by Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima. Uzodimma said the Renewed Hope Ambassadors network was established to drive a coordinated communication strategy at the community level under the theme: "One Party, One Message, One Mobilisation Framework." He called on party members to close ranks following the APC national convention, stressing that alignment between party structures and government at all levels "is critical" to consolidating gains under the Tinubu administration.
As the APC navigates these internal challenges, the discordant tunes from various quarters highlight the complex dynamics at play as the party prepares for the 2027 elections, with unity and strategic mobilisation being key focus areas for its leadership.
