APC, PDP, LP, ADC: On the march again
The stage is set for the four political parties to lock horns. But their preparations reflect their strengths and weaknesses, their gains and losses, and their projections for the future.
The stage is set for the four political parties to lock horns. But their preparations reflect their strengths and weaknesses, their gains and losses, and their projections for the future.
APC
The All Progressives Congress (APC) is tactical, more focused, less crisis-ridden and more cohesive. These days, the ruling party is busier. It is not responding to the opposition virtuperation, but focussing on its mobilisation for next year’s polls.
The preparations are in three layers. The first is local government congress. New party leaders at the ward and local governments have been elected to drive mobilisation at the grassroots.
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The exercise was not totally smooth. There were skirmishes in Ondo State, where Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Interior Minister Bunmi Ojo are fighting over the party structures.
The governor is still studying the constitution to see whether he can recontest. The supporters of the minister are preparing ground for his governorship ambition in post-Aiyedatiwa era.
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During the local government congress, the party chairman, Ade Adetimehin, who is backing Ojo, was attacked. He was dragged on the floor. Later, two people were killed during the rancorous exercise.
Sources said the national leadership of the party is wading into the Aiyedatiwa/Ojo crisis.
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Also, in Benue, the local government congress has polarised the party. The supporters of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and Governor Hychiant Alia are locked in protracted feud over the control of the state chapter.
The disagreement led to paralleled congresess. Neither of the two factional ward and local government executives have been recognised by the national leadership.
Ironically, the cleric-governor and the SGF are members of the National Reconciliation Committee. Last week, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appealed to them to sheathe their swords.
APC is warming up for governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states this year. In Ekiti, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has no candidate. In Osun, the PDP candidate is also weak. While Ekiti APC members of the same page, much success has been recorded in the reconciliation of party leaders after the primary.
APC governors and the national leadership have set up a structure to explain the scorecard of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Nigerians. The ‘Renewed Hope Ambassadors’ may evolve into a formidable, powerful and influential campaign structure ahead of next year’s polls.
In Ogun State, there is friction between Governor Dapo Abiodun and Senator Gbenga Daniel over 2027 nomination politics. No serious attempt at restoring cordial relations.
But, Oyo APC appears to be putting its house in order.
