A profound leadership crisis has engulfed Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, marked by allegations of manipulated party executive lists, widespread protests, arrests of party members, and the sacking of local government officials. This escalating dispute, which has triggered heightened political tension, is now drawing wider concern among stakeholders as similar issues begin to surface in Edo State, coinciding with the APC’s nationwide congress process.

The controversy stems from the recently concluded ward and local government congresses, where numerous party members allege that the authentic outcomes were altered to favor a particular faction. Earlier reports indicated that over 50 APC members in Kwara State faced arrest after Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq reportedly ordered security agencies to clamp down on those protesting the alleged manipulation of results.

The dispute intensified following a protest last week Saturday by aggrieved APC members in Asa Local Government Area. Demonstrators gathered at the residence of the Kwara APC chairman, Prince Sunday Adeniran Fagbemi, chanting “Fagbemi Ole” (Fagbemi is a thief), accusing the party leadership of manipulating congress results and imposing executives. Party insiders claim the protests were a direct reaction to a “brazen manipulation of the executive lists,” contradicting an earlier directive from party leaders to simply affirm existing executives to maintain unity.

In response to the protests, tensions escalated further as security operatives moved in. Sources confirmed the arrest of the APC chairman in Asa Local Government, along with some supervising councillors, who are currently in custody. The governor’s alleged directive to the Nigeria Police Force in the state to arrest protesting members has created significant anxiety among grassroots members, who fear punitive measures for dissent. The situation reportedly formed part of deliberations during the recent working visit of the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to Kwara State. Perceived as a loyalist of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the police chief reportedly advised a cautious approach, recommending that the detained individuals should not be immediately charged to court but remain in custody until the national congress process concludes, a strategy aimed at preventing further protests.

Amidst the rising tension, local government council chairmen across Kwara State have reportedly been warned against allowing protests in their jurisdictions, with threats of losing their positions if demonstrations occur. This move is seen as part of broader efforts to contain the internal unrest spreading across several APC structures in the state.

Further escalating the controversy, the Executive Chairman of Asa Local Government Area, Shehu Yahaya Amasa, announced the immediate removal of five council officials: Abdulrasaq Olarewaju Jimoh (Supervisor for Works, Land and Housing), Abdulraheem Muhammed Elere (Supervisor for Health and Medical Services), Muhammed Nuhu (Special Adviser on Education), Yusuf Tope Mahmud (Special Adviser on Special Duties), and Muritala Sodiq Tiro (Special Adviser on Youths). While the council chairman cited “bringing the name of the local government council to disrepute” as the reason, party and council insiders explained that these officials were allegedly among those who participated in the “Fagbemi Ole” protest, an action that reportedly angered the party leadership and triggered disciplinary measures.

Multiple party sources insist that executive lists in virtually all wards and local government areas across Kwara State may have been altered. Affected wards in Asa Local Government Area included Otte/Ballah; Efue/Berikodo; Sosoki/Yowere; Ogele; Budo-Egba; Laduba/Sapati; Okeweru; and Okeso. The original results affirmed during the congress were allegedly replaced with new names loyal to the state government. The unfolding crisis threatens to deepen factional divisions within the ruling party in Kwara, prompting calls for intervention from the national leadership of the APC and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to restore internal stability. The emergence of similar complaints from party members in Edo State further amplifies concerns that if left unresolved, the crisis could spread to other states currently undergoing the congress process.