Fresh concerns have emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) following allegations that five states may be sidelined from participating fully in the party’s forthcoming primaries and presidential convention due to unresolved disputes over the status of some deputy national officers.
Internal Disputes Threaten Party Cohesion
The controversy comes barely a month after the inauguration of a new set of national executives, with party stakeholders warning that growing internal disagreements could threaten cohesion ahead of the 2027 general election. At the centre of the dispute are claims that a directive by President Bola Tinubu seeking the inclusion of all deputy national officers in the National Working Committee (NWC) has not been fully implemented.
Sources within the party said the directive was designed to broaden participation and strengthen inclusiveness within the APC leadership structure, but alleged that only a number of deputy officers had been recognised, while others were excluded. Some party members argued that the selective implementation had revived longstanding grievances among stakeholders who believe all deputy national officers should enjoy equal status under the APC constitution.
Structural Issues Remain Unresolved
A former party official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the development as a lingering structural issue that had remained unresolved through previous administrations of the party. According to the source, some individuals who previously challenged the arrangement were allegedly prevented from returning to office, deepening resentment within the party hierarchy.
Attention has also focused on provisions of the APC’s 2022 amended constitution, which some stakeholders interpret as recognising several deputy national officers as part of the broader operational structure of the NWC. Those reportedly affected are said to include representatives linked to Akwa Ibom, Kwara, Ekiti, Cross River and Zamfara states.
Potential Impact on Primaries and Elections
The alleged exclusion has raised concerns among party leaders in the affected states, with observers warning that failure to address the matter could weaken participation in future party activities. Analysts said the implications may extend beyond internal administration, noting that primaries and conventions are critical platforms for candidate selection, alliance building and mobilisation.
They warned that unresolved disputes could create fresh cracks within the ruling party at a time it is expected to consolidate support ahead of the next election cycle. Political watchers also believe prolonged infighting could undermine APC’s electoral preparedness and complicate President Tinubu’s re-election prospects if not quickly resolved.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls placed to his telephone line.
