Barely four weeks after the inauguration of a new set of national officers, signs of internal tension are beginning to surface within the All Progressives Congress (APC), raising concerns about unity and adherence to the party’s constitution.
The development, according to reports, is linked to an alleged deviation from a directive attributed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which reportedly recommended that all deputy national officers be included as members of the National Working Committee (NWC).
Party stakeholders say the intention behind the directive was to promote inclusivity and balance within the party’s leadership structure. However, they allege that its implementation has been inconsistent, leading to growing dissatisfaction in some quarters.
A former deputy national officer, who served under previous party leaderships and spoke anonymously, described the situation as part of a recurring pattern of exclusion within the party’s internal structure.
He argued that despite constitutional amendments recognizing deputy national officers, full integration into the NWC has not been uniformly applied.
The APC constitution, as amended in 2022, lists several deputy national officers, including those responsible for finance, organisation, women affairs, publicity, welfare, auditing, legal matters, treasury, and youth affairs. While some of these positions are understood to have representation within the NWC framework, others reportedly remain outside key decision-making structures.
Stakeholders from states such as Akwa Ibom, Kwara, Ekiti, Cross River, and Zamfara are said to be among those affected by the current arrangement. Their exclusion has sparked concern among political actors, including governors and senior party figures, who are now questioning the criteria used in determining NWC inclusion.
Some observers argue that the selective integration of deputy officers raises broader concerns about fairness and internal democracy within the party.
There are also fears that the situation could have wider political implications, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections. Analysts warn that continued exclusion of certain state representatives may weaken participation in party primaries and national conventions, potentially affecting cohesion and grassroots mobilisation.
They further caution that unresolved internal disagreements within the party structure could pose challenges to coordination and strategy as the APC prepares for future electoral contests, including President Tinubu’s re-election bid.
For now, attention is focused on how party leadership will address the growing concerns, as stakeholders call for a more transparent and uniform application of the party’s constitutional provisions to avoid deeper divisions.
