Fresh tensions are brewing within the All Progressives Congress (APC) amid claims that five states could be excluded from key party activities, including primaries and the presidential convention, due to unresolved internal disputes.
The controversy centres on disagreements over the status of some deputy national officers. Despite a directive reportedly issued by Bola Ahmed Tinubu to include all deputy national officers in the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), sources say implementation has been selective, leaving some officers unrecognised.
This perceived imbalance has reignited longstanding grievances within the party, with critics arguing that all deputy national officers should have equal standing under the APC constitution. A former party official described the issue as a recurring structural problem that has persisted across multiple leadership tenures.
Stakeholders have pointed to provisions in the party’s 2022 amended constitution, which they interpret as supporting broader inclusion within the NWC framework. Those reportedly affected by the alleged exclusion are linked to Akwa Ibom, Kwara, Ekiti, Cross River, and Zamfara states—raising fears of weakened participation in party processes if the dispute remains unresolved.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Senate has dismissed speculation of any rift with the Presidency over the issue of automatic tickets for lawmakers. Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu described such claims as baseless, insisting that cooperation between the legislature and executive remains strong.
The uncertainty follows President Tinubu’s decision to reject automatic tickets for returning lawmakers, instead empowering state governors to oversee the primary process in their respective states. The move has unsettled some federal legislators, particularly those at odds with their governors, as it shifts influence over candidate selection to the state level.
Earlier, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda reaffirmed that the party’s constitution does not support automatic tickets, stressing that candidates would emerge based on merit and performance.
With the May 18 Senate primaries approaching, political alignments are intensifying across states, and analysts warn that the internal disputes could significantly reshape the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a related development, youth groups in Borno South have rallied support for Senator Ali Ndume, raising over N38.5 million to secure his nomination forms as he seeks a fifth term in the National Assembly.
