APC Grapples with Internal Strife: Aggrieved Governors Sidestepped

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has reportedly taken a new strategic approach to prevent potential sabotage during the 2027 general elections. Indications suggest the party has directed some of its candidates to submit the names of their proposed party agents directly to the national secretariat in Abuja, a significant deviation from the traditional practice where state chapters handle this compilation and submission.

This departure from standard procedure is believed to be a measure to thwart alleged plots to undermine the party's candidates on election day. While the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, stated he was “not aware” of the development, sources suggest this arrangement is primarily being applied in states where the NWC suspects governors of sponsoring candidates on the platforms of other political parties against APC flagbearers.

The Oodua Progressive Youths League (OPYL) had previously raised concerns, alleging that some governors, whose preferred aspirants lost in the party's National Assembly primaries, directed them to seek tickets from opposition parties and contest against APC candidates in 2027. The group, through its General Secretary, Wale Abdulwaheed, further claimed that these governors had made agreements with opposition parties regarding the selection of polling agents. It was alleged that the sponsored candidates on opposition platforms were instructed to nominate their loyalists, who still remained APC members, to serve as agents for the ruling party, with their names subsequently submitted to the national secretariat as officially recognized agents.

A National Assembly member from Ondo State, an APC candidate for the 2027 elections, confirmed this development under anonymity due to its sensitive nature. The lawmaker stated that the APC NWC had bypassed the Ondo State governor and instructed candidates to submit their agents' names directly to the national secretariat. The forms for these agents are already with the candidates. The source quoted the State Chairman as confirming he was specifically instructed not to hand over the agents’ forms to anyone except the candidates, indicating Ondo State was explicitly told to follow this new route.

Furthermore, the party's national leadership is reportedly monitoring the activities of APC governors nationwide and may extend a similar approach to the disbursement of election funds. The NWC could potentially bypass governors suspected of sponsoring opposition candidates and channel election funds directly to APC candidates in their respective states to prevent sabotage.

Specific accusations were leveled against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, alleging he directed aspirants who lost APC primaries to seek tickets on other political platforms. Evidence cited included the presence of some of his political appointees and party executive members at the declaration of Hon. Matthew Oyerinmade (MATO) for the PDP in the Ondo South Senatorial District, where he emerged as the party’s candidate. The governor was also accused of financing Prince Idowu Mafimisebi, a PDP candidate for the Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency. Additionally, at a recent rally for Hon. Tajudeen Adefisoye, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate for Idanre/Ifedore Federal Constituency, a majority of Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs) recently appointed by the governor from the area were reportedly present.

In response to these allegations, Governor Aiyedatiwa vehemently denied directing any aspirant or candidate to contest against APC candidates on another political platform. He dismissed his accusers as “naysayers, blackmailers and slanderers,” asserting that he has “zero tolerance for anti-party activities” and has never engaged in such actions in his life.