…Says Imminent Implosion Looms

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

A Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Jackson Lekan Ojo, has cautioned the party about the gale of defection to the party, saying an imminent implosion looms ahead of 2027 general election.

In a telephone interview, Chief Lekan Ojo described the defection of opposition Politicians as ‘worrisome’ and stressed that those joining APC are doing so for political survival and selfish reasons.

According to him, members of APC that sacrificed to solidify the party have their own ambition to use the party platform to contest for elective positions but those ones already in elective positions that are flooring into the party are scheming to upstage the old members of the party during the next general election.

This, he said, will cause crises and implosion that may affect the fortunes of the ruling party.

Chief Lekan Ojo advised President Bola Tinubu added that the actions of the APC and President Tinubu not to focus on governance but engage in a “fight” with the opposition ahead of the next general election is worrisome and counterproductive.

Ojo emphasised that there was a need for caution, stressing that the APC and opposition were causing political tension and anxiety in the landscape.

He also said the APC should not celebrate the crises rocking the opposition parties.

“From the ambience, it is clear that the APC might soon be in disarray too. Look at what is happening in its North East zone.

“It will soon happen in the North Central and other zones.

“APC will be badly wounded if the ongoing drama continues. But at the same time, the opposition also must be united and sincere in their dealings, especially on the issue of coalition.

“There are several disgruntled elements in the APC who contested and lost previous elections.

“Some of the people coming in now are already holding elective offices and would like to suppress those already in the party.

“This will be resisted, I can assure you. And that resistance will cause a crisis.

“Some are moving to APC to race for the position of Vice President, some are rushing to battle for senatorial tickets, while others would be interested in hijacking the party’s hierarchy.

“So in all these, Nigerians are at the receiving end,” he said.

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Political Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof Rufai Ahmed Alkali, has called for calm over the outcome of APC North East Stakeholders meeting, cautioning against any divisive rank within the party.

The North East APC stakeholders meeting held in Gombe on Sunday, June 15, 2025 had ended abruptly over the controversy surrounding the absence of a formal endorsement of Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Prof Alkali said that this is not the time for premature posturing or muscle-flexing.

According to him, “any divisive signals, particularly from within the ranks of our own party, risk undermining not just our legacy but the confidence of Nigerians who entrusted us with leadership.”

He emphasised that it is not unusual in a democracy to have differences of opinion but over the years the APC has weathered such challenges with dignity and brotherhood.

Part of the statement reads: “As a long-standing and committed member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), | feel compelled to appeal to all party stakeholders, leaders, and supporters — especially across the North East — to exercise caution, demonstrate political maturity, and remain focused on the unity and stability of our great party.

“It is not unusual, in a thriving democracy such as ours, for differences of opinion to emerge, especially as political momentum gradually builds toward the 2027 general elections.

“However, we must remember that the APC has, over the years, weathered similar moments with dignity and brotherhood — always putting party cohesion and national interest above ail other interests.

“Let it be clear: now is not the time for premature posturing or muscle-flexing. We are barely midway through the current administration, which is still focused on implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda. Our priority must remain consolidating the achievements recorded so far under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, particularly in securing our nation, reviving our economy, and restoring public confidence in governance.

“Any divisive signals, particularly from within the ranks of our own party, risk undermining not just our legacy but the confidence of Nigerians who entrusted us with leadership.

“The North East has played and continues to play a pivotal role in the APC’s success story. We must, therefore, rise above internal frictions and recommit ourselves to constructive dialogue, inclusive engagement, and party discipline.

“I call on all APC leaders — at the national, zonal, and state levels — to remain calm and focused. Let us guide our actions by wisdom, not emotion; by long-term vision, not short-term advantage.

“We owe this not only to our party but to the Nigerian people who look to us for stability, progress, and leadership.

“Let us close ranks, protect the integrity of the APC, and work together to ensure that the party continues to serve as a platform for national renewal and inclusive development.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Consolidation Group, has called on the party’s national leadership not to give tickets for the forthcoming area council and 2027 elections to disloyal members.

The group also advised the party to check infiltrations of its ranks by the opposition to guide against APC becoming habitat for political opportunists rejected by their former parties.

Malam Idris Jibril, spokesperson of the group made the call while speaking with newsmen shortly after submitting a petition to the party’s national leadership in Abuja.

He explained that the petition was borne out of the concern over the infiltrations of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), chapter of APC by members of the opposition political parties.

He said that the defectors were individuals who neither knew the values and norms of the party nor met its constitutional requirements for nominations.

Jibril noted that in spite of not meeting the requirements for nominations, such individuals were being positioned as candidates in this year’s area council elections in the FCT in attempts to hijack the party’s internal processes.

“The APC must be seen to stand on the pillars of integrity, discipline and fairness, especially at a time when President Bola Tinubu is championing renewed hope and national rebirth.

“This is a moment to defend our structures and safeguard our future,” he said.

Jibril said that careful perusal of the credentials of these individuals by APC’s leadership, would enable the party avert looming future crisis and preserve the legacy of progressives in the FCT.

He added that it was also critical to prevent mass protest and withdrawal by aggrieved, loyal APC aspirants and supporters.

“The action of the APC leadership is also critical to avoid reputational damage to the APC ahead of the 2026 area council elections and the 2027 general elections.

“The party cannot afford to reward betrayal and alienate its true base in the name of desperate electoral calculations,” he stressed.

Jibril said that the orchestrated plan by a political stalwart and his network of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), loyalists pose a serious threat to the stability and peace of the APC in the FCT.

“We asked for the immediate disqualification of Mr Danjuma Shekwolo and Mr Christopher Maikalangu from contesting on the APC’s platform in the forthcoming FCT area council elections in line with Article 20, 1(iii) of our constitution.

“We equally call on the leadership of APC to disassociate itself from persons who were known PDP members because they will not be loyal to the party,’’ he said.

Jibril asked for formal investigation by the APC national working committee into the growing complaints of imposition and infiltration of the party by the opposition within the FCT chapter of the party.(NAN)