The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has pledged to address the ongoing crises within some of its state chapters, vowing to resolve the internal wrangling that has plagued key states, including Benue, Adamawa, Delta, Osun, Rivers, Zamfara, and Bayelsa.
Despite these challenges, the party leadership has reassured its members that the situation is under control, although there are concerns that the issues may persist through the 2027 elections if not swiftly resolved.
The crises in these states have been long-standing and complex, with tensions dating back several years.
In Delta, for instance, the party has been dealing with a leadership dispute since 2015, while Adamawa’s issues remain unresolved since March 2023. Despite efforts by party leaders to broker peace among the warring factions in these states, the aggrieved members have maintained strong positions, complicating the resolution process.
Nze Duru, the APC Deputy National Organizing Secretary, spoke to Sunday PUNCH, revealing that efforts are underway to unify the party ahead of the next electoral cycle.
“The interesting thing about politics is that just as every other affair of human beings, it is something that we do not micromanage, and people are allowed to meet and take their positions at any given point in time,” Duru explained.
He emphasized that while the ruling party cannot impose its decisions on state chapters, a resolution is imminent. “Unlike other parties that do not have answers on how to resolve their contending issues, the APC has mechanisms to manage conflicts,” he added.
Bala Ibrahim, the APC National Publicity Director, echoed Duru’s sentiment, reassuring members that under the leadership of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the party is actively addressing the crises. He further argued that the issues are being exaggerated by the opposition, who are hoping to derail the party’s progress.
“These are problems that are being created and overblown by the opposition, thinking that they will succeed in derailing the mission and ambition of the party,” Ibrahim stated.
However, the situation in Bayelsa appears to be particularly dire. The crisis in the state began following the controversial ward and state congresses, which were later nullified by a court ruling. The fallout led to a fractured party that struggled to unite behind the APC’s candidate, Timipre Sylva, during the recent governorship election.
The ongoing rivalry between key figures like Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and Chief David Lyon, compounded by legal actions and suspensions within the party, has left the state chapter deeply divided.
An APC insider disclosed that the underlying issue in Bayelsa is the scramble for control of the party’s structure in anticipation of the 2027 elections.
“Some people want to edge out others to score cheap political gains. In the end, it is the party that suffers. That is why it is difficult for us to mount a strong challenge against the PDP in the state,” the source revealed.
In Osun, the rift between the faction loyal to former Governor Rauf Aregbesola and the group led by his successor Adegboyega Oyetola remains unresolved. Aregbesola’s group, known as the Omoluabi Progressives, has been at odds with the state leadership since 2019, and the two factions continue to operate separately. While the party’s spokesperson in Osun, Kola Olabisi, downplayed the issue, claiming that there was no crisis, members of the Omoluabi Progressives insisted that the situation is far from resolved.
Benue’s internal strife has recently been exacerbated by comments made during the burial of political godfather Paul Unongo. Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, used the occasion to publicly address the tensions within the party. Governor Alia criticized APC stakeholders for fostering disunity at the state level, while Akume advised the governor to be cautious of his new political allies, including former PDP members.
In Delta, the APC is also grappling with a leadership dispute between two rival factions. One faction, led by Paulinus Akpeki, claims the chairmanship position, while another, led by Francis Obigbor, disputes the legitimacy of the appointment, citing the absence of the substantive chairman due to medical reasons. This leadership impasse has further complicated the party’s efforts to reconcile feuding factions within the state.
Rivers State remains sharply divided between the faction loyal to former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, with Emeka Beke as chairman, and the faction led by Tony Okocha.
Despite attempts at reconciliation, the party’s leadership remains fragmented, and the ongoing legal battles have only deepened the rift.
In Adamawa, the APC is making efforts to resolve its internal wrangling. A reconciliation committee, led by Senator Muhammed Mana, was recently formed to address the crisis and unify the various factions. The committee is tasked with resolving disputes and ensuring that the party is united ahead of the 2025 elections.
