By Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna
The recent wave of defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kaduna State has reshaped the state’s political landscape. High-profile figures, including former Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi, and thousands of supporters of Senator Shehu Sani, have returned to the party, strengthening its numbers.
While these defections signal growing confidence in Governor Uba Sani’s leadership, they also raise critical questions: Will the APC successfully manage this influx, or could it lead to an internal crisis in the future?
Political realignments are often driven by strategic interests, and for many of these returning politicians, joining the APC may come with expectations ranging from access to party structures, influence in decision-making, and possible election tickets. Managing these expectations will be crucial.
Notably, some defectors may seek automatic tickets in the 2027 elections, putting them in direct competition with long-standing APC members who have remained loyal to the party.
If the leadership fails to balance these competing interests, discontent could brew among party faithful who feel sidelined. The party’s ability to distribute power and opportunities fairly will determine whether these defections strengthen or weaken its internal unity.
Senator Shehu Sani’s return to the APC is also particularly significant. Once a strong critic of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, he left the party in 2018 due to internal conflicts.
However, in a recent interview, the Lawmaker stated that the political climate had changed and credited Governor Uba Sani’s reconciliatory efforts for his return.
Sani, a vocal and independent-minded politician, has historically clashed with party leaders when his views do not align with theirs. His influence in Kaduna politics, coupled with his history of strong opinions, could create tensions if not well managed.
The question to ask is; Will Shehu Sani play a unifying role within the APC, or could his presence trigger fresh rivalries? The answer depends on how well the party integrates him and his supporters without alienating existing members.
Another factor to watch is the ongoing friction between former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Governor Uba Sani.
El-Rufai, once the dominant force in Kaduna’s APC, has grown increasingly distant from the party’s current leadership. His recent criticisms suggest lingering grievances over his diminished influence.
The immediate past Kaduna Governor has expressed concerns about the party’s current state and leadership selection processes.
In a recent interview, El-Rufai criticised the APC for deviating from its founding principles and highlighted issues in the leadership recruitment process, attributing poor leadership to the selection of unqualified delegates.
Meanwhile, critics also argue that his leadership style contributed to those very divisions considering the number of petitions against him during his nomination by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a ministerial appointment.
What this means is that, if El-rufai chooses to actively challenge Governor Uba Sani’s growing control of the APC, it could create factions within the party. Alternatively, if reconciliation efforts fail, El-Rufai could back alternative political movements, weakening the APC’s stronghold in the state. While there is no immediate internal crisis within the APC, several factors could determine whether the party remains stable or faces turbulence in the coming years.
Managing ambitions will be crucial. The APC leadership must ensure that both defectors and long-standing party loyalists feel equally valued. If the returning politicians expect automatic privileges at the expense of those who remained loyal, it could lead to internal discontent. Balancing these competing interests will be key to maintaining harmony.
Also, party unity must take precedence over factional interests. The ongoing rift between former Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Governor Uba Sani poses a potential challenge. If not carefully managed, it could lead to factions within the APC. The party must either reconcile the two leaders or ensure that their differences do not divide the party’s structure.
To wit, fair primaries and power-sharing will determine the party’s stability. As the 2027 elections approach, competition for tickets will intensify. If some groups feel marginalised in the selection process, dissatisfaction could lead to internal conflict or even defections. Transparent and inclusive primaries will be essential to maintaining party cohesion.
Lastly, sustained reconciliation efforts will be necessary. Governor Uba Sani’s approach to resolving past grievances and integrating defectors into the party will play a defining role. If he successfully builds consensus among various political interests within the APC, the party will remain strong. However, if reconciliation is only surface-level, underlying tensions could resurface at a critical time.
Meanwhile, the recent defections to the APC in Kaduna present both an opportunity and a potential challenge. If the party effectively manages the new power dynamics, it could solidify its dominance in the state.
However, if internal ambitions and past grievances are not carefully handled, tensions could emerge, leading to instability. How the APC navigates these dynamics will determine whether it remains united or faces internal fractures in the buildup to 2027.