Aare Amerijoye DOT.B.
The political geomorphology within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is beholding significant restiveness and unquietness, as many distinguished figures who played key roles in the party’s rise to power are now being sidelined. Some have faced absolute neglect, while others have been forced into political latency and abeyance.Defections and supposition about potential realignments have also come into view, particularly regarding the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
In particular, former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, a little while back, denied reports of his defection to the SDP, despite across the board guesswork that he was grumpy and discontented with the current APC leadership. Fayemi’s statement contrasts with the moves of some other APC stalwarts who have openly detached themselves from the Tinubu administration.
SOUTH WEST REGION.
1. Yemi Osinbajo (Ogun State) – The former Vice President was expected to play a crucial role in Tinubu’s government but has been completely sidelined. His decision to contest against Tinubu in the APC primaries cost him his influence, and he has since been politically dormant and inactive.
2. Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun State) – A former governor of Ogun State, Amosun has been marginalised due to his opposition to Tinubu’s political structure. His attempts to maintain significance in Ogun politics have to a great extent failed.
3. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti State) – The former Ekiti governor and ex-chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum has been noticeably absent from Tinubu’s administration. Despite speculations of his defection to SDP, Fayemi recently denied any such move, reaffirming his allegiance to APC, though his influence within the party has waned.
4. Rauf Aregbesola (Osun State) – Once a loyalist of Tinubu, Aregbesola fell out of favour after his rift with Tinubu’s camp over Osun State politics. He has since been politically cast-off.
5. Iyiola Omisore (Osun State) – The former APC National Secretary was removed under contentious circumstances, marking his declining influence within the party.
6. Femi Fani-Kayode (Osun State) – Despite aggressively defending APC online, Fani-Kayode has failed to secure a key position in Tinubu’s administration, bring down his political noteworthiness.
SOUTH SOUTH REGION.
7. Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers State) – Once a powerful force in APC, the former Minister of Transportation lost out in the presidential primaries against Tinubu. He has since been politically isolated.
8. Victor Giadom (Rivers State) – A former APC acting chairman, Giadom has lost all sway within the party.
9. Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom State) – The former presidential aide has faded into political inconspicuousness.
SOUTH EAST REGION.
10. Chris Ngige (Anambra State) – The former Minister of Labour has been left out of Tinubu’s government and has remained politically inactive.
11. Rochas Okorocha (Imo State) – The former governor and senator has faced multiple legal battles, further weakening his relevance within APC.
12. George Moghalu (Anambra State) – Once a key figure in APC’s South East politics, Moghalu has been sidelined.
NORTH WEST REGION.
13. Aminu Masari (Katsina State) – The former governor has lost relevance in APC after failing to secure a major role post-2023.
14. Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna State) – The former Kaduna governor was a key ally of Tinubu but was denied a ministerial position by the Senate. His defection to SDP is a subject of confirmation.
15. Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara State) – The former governor was a key contender for the Senate Presidency but lost to Tinubu’s preferred candidate, Godswill Akpabio, characterising his political sidelining.
NORTH EAST REGION.
16. Aisha Buhari (Adamawa State) – The former First Lady has remained politically silent since the end of Buhari’s tenure, with no influence in APC’s current structure.
17. Babachir Lawal (Adamawa State) – A strong critic of Tinubu’s Muslim-Muslim ticket, Lawal has openly distanced himself from APC and now supports opposition movements.
18. Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi State) – The former governor has largely faded from APC politics.
19. Ali Modu Sheriff (Borno State) – Once a major political player, Sheriff has lost relevance within APC.
NORTH CENTRAL REGION.
20. Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa State) – The former APC National Chairman was forced to resign after internal party crises, effectively ending his strong influence in the party.
21. Pauline Tallen (Plateau State) – The former Minister of Women Affairs has been left out of Tinubu’s government.
22. Gbemisola Saraki (Kwara State) – The former minister has been politically inactive since Buhari’s tenure ended.
23. Solomon Dalung (Plateau State) – Recently defected to SDP after losing relevance in APC
24. Sani Bello (Niger State) – The former governor has remained politically inactive since leaving office.
25. Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa State) – The former governor, once influential in APC, has been sidelined from key national politics.
SURVEY & KEY MOUNT UP.
Fallouts with Tinubu: (Osinbajo, Aregbesola, El-Rufai, Lawal, Adamu) – Those who opposed or contested against Tinubu have been strategically sidelined.
Lost influence after Buhari’s tenure: (Ngige, Amaechi, Badaru, Masari, Aisha Buhari) – Many key figures from Buhari’s government have struggled to remain relevant.
Failed power struggles within APC: (Yari, Omisore, Amosun, Moghalu) – Those who lost in key leadership battles have been played down.
Corruption allegations and legal troubles: (Okorocha) – Legal battles have further weakened the political standing of some former power brokers.
Defections & Speculation: (El-Rufai, Dalung, Babachir Lawal) – Frustration with APC leadership has led to major defections and ongoing speculation about others, like Fayemi, who has denied such moves.
This list accentuates the snowball fractures within APC as many former heavyweights find themselves isolated or seeking new political alignments. The coming months may see further defections and shifts in Nigeria’s political landscape.
