APC searches for peace as crisis persists in seven states
The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has pledged to address the ongoing crises affecting several of its state chapters.
Despite internal conflicts in Benue, Adamawa, Delta, Osun, Rivers, Zamfara, and Bayelsa states, party leaders have reassured members that there is no cause for alarm. However, there are growing concerns that these disputes may persist through the 2027 elections if not adequately resolved.
While party leaders have made efforts to mediate between conflicting factions in the affected states, the disgruntled members have remained firm in their positions, complicating the resolution process.
The crisis in Delta began in 2015, while the issues in Adamawa have remained unresolved since March 2023.
Nze Duru, the APC’s Deputy National Organising Secretary, stated that efforts were ongoing to resolve these disputes and ensure the party presents a united front. He remarked, “The interesting thing about politics, as with any other aspect of human life, is that it cannot be micromanaged. People are allowed to meet and take their positions at any given point in time.”
“The ruling party is not in a position to impose decisions on state parties,” Duru added. “However, I can assure you that most of the issues we’ve spoken about will soon be resolved. Unlike other parties that lack solutions to their internal conflicts, the APC has mechanisms in place to address these issues.”
Echoing Duru’s sentiments, APC National Publicity Director Bala Ibrahim emphasised that efforts to resolve the crises in the affected states were ongoing under the leadership of Dr Abdullahi Ganduje. He expressed confidence that the issues would be resolved before 2025, stating, “The APC, under the leadership of Dr Ganduje, is a party that confronts problems head-on and seeks lasting solutions. These problems are being exaggerated by the opposition, who believe they can derail the party’s ambitions.”
In Bayelsa State, however, the ongoing crisis appears likely to continue for an extended period due to a lack of genuine efforts to resolve it.
The issues began after the last ward and state congresses were challenged by member Alex Blankson, who secured a court ruling invalidating the congresses. As a result, delegates from the state were prevented from participating in the national convention. Although the APC still contested the state governorship election with former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, the party’s divisions hindered full support for his candidacy, partly due to unresolved conflicts with Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and Chief David Lyon, who was denied the governorship position by the Supreme Court in 2020.
In response to these divisions, four local government party leaderships suspended several prominent figures, including Lokpobiri and Lyon. However, sensing further complications, the state leadership called for consultations before ratifying these suspensions and halted any additional disciplinary actions in an effort to unify the party.
Blankson, who opposed the suspensions, challenged the legality of the actions and filed contempt proceedings against the party. The local chapters also pursued legal action against the state leadership, though the details of these proceedings remain unclear, and party officials have refrained from commenting on the matter.
An APC source stated, “At the heart of these problems is control of the party structure for 2027. Some individuals are attempting to edge out others for political gain. Ultimately, the party suffers, which makes it difficult for us to mount a strong challenge against the PDP in the state.”
In Osun State, the APC’s internal strife is closely tied to the rivalry between the former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s faction and the Omoluabi Progressives, a group loyal to his predecessor, Rauf Aregbesola. This division became apparent from 2019 to 2020, leading to Aregbesola and several of his supporters being suspended by the state APC leadership.
The party, led by Tajudeen Lawal, has continued to operate independently of Aregbesola’s faction. Meanwhile, Aregbesola’s supporters, led by ex-deputy chairman Azeez Adesiji, continue to hold monthly meetings at the former governor’s home in Ilesa.
Kola Olabisi, the party spokesperson in Osun, downplayed the situation, claiming, “All is well within the Osun APC. There is nothing unusual in what is happening, and I can assure you that the party is not in any crisis.”
However, Oluwaseun Abosede, spokesperson for the Omoluabi Progressives, countered, “The mother party knows there is a deep crisis within Osun APC.”
In Benue State, the funeral of Second Republic Minister Paul Unongo has sparked a new wave of conflict within the APC ranks. During the event, Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, publicly addressed the party’s internal divisions.
Governor Alia accused APC stakeholders of stirring disunity at the state level to exploit the situation for political gain. He also denied any personal conflict with Akume. In turn, Akume, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the event, cautioned his political son to be wary of newly aligned figures, such as former PDP national chairman Senator Barnabas Gemade and ex-governor Gabriel Suswam, whom he claimed were not present when the party worked tirelessly for Alia’s electoral victory.
In Delta State, the APC is facing a new round of internal conflict, sparked by the emergence of two rival chairmen. The dispute undermines recent efforts to reconcile the party’s factions. Paulinus Akpeki, representing Delta Central, and Francis Obigbor, from Delta North, are both claiming the position of state chairman. The conflict began when the State Working Committee appointed Akpeki as acting chairman due to the medical leave of the incumbent, Mr Omeni Sobotie. In response, Obigbor declared himself the authentic acting chairman, further deepening the division.
In Rivers State, the APC remains sharply divided between the factions led by Rotimi Amaechi, who backs Emeka Beke as the reinstated chairman, and Tony Okocha, who leads a rival faction. Okocha recently emerged as the substantive chairman following a congress, despite a court order prohibiting such an action.
In Adamawa State, a reconciliation committee led by Senator Muhammed Mana has been formed to resolve the ongoing crisis within the state chapter. The committee, which includes prominent politicians such as Senators Bello Tukur, Abubakar Girei, Binta Masi, and Yusuf Yakubu, is tasked with uniting the factions and addressing internal disputes.
