The political landscape within the All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently characterised by severe gridlock and escalating institutional tensions as the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja grapples with a complex web of competing interests concerning the nomination of National Assembly candidates for Ondo State.
With the deadline for submissions of names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) looming, Starnews NG can report that the APC National Working Committee (NWC) finds itself ensnared in a high-stakes battle that threatens to fracture the party’s unity and electoral prospects.
The Blantyre Street headquarters of the APC has shifted from a political hub to a battleground, where rival factions are engaged in a four-way tug-of-war over the INEC nomination portal. Each faction is asserting its claim to legitimacy, intensifying the already fraught atmosphere as the deadline approaches.
One significant player in this turmoil is the Incumbent Rebellion, comprising ousted federal lawmakers who are leveraging their legislative networks to exert pressure on the party leadership. They argue that the state-level primaries were compromised and demand automatic return tickets as a means to safeguard party stability. Their insistence on intervention reflects a broader concern about maintaining influence within the party, especially as they face the prospect of political extinction.
In contrast, the Presidency Power Move faction has emerged, with high-ranking stakeholders operating independently from the state structure. This group has submitted an alternative candidate list directly to the party’s top leadership, aiming to bypass local processes altogether. Their proximity to the executive branch grants them considerable leverage, making their push for a complete overhaul of the local nominations particularly concerning for those aligned with the state party.
The State Government Faction, including the Ondo State Government and local party executives, is staunchly defending the results compiled by the primary election committee. They argue that any alterations imposed by Abuja would undermine local autonomy and threaten the party’s cohesion. This faction’s commitment to upholding the announced winners underscores the friction between grassroots authority and top-down directives.
Lastly, the Grassroots Coalition consists of disaffected local stakeholders and aspirants who have faced exclusion or disqualification from the primaries. They have characterised their disqualification as a political ambush and are prepared to initiate legal action against the party if their grievances continue to be overlooked. Their determination to challenge the NWC’s decisions adds another layer of complexity to an already convoluted situation.
The paralysis within the NWC stems from a controversial strategy aimed at sidestepping these local conflicts. Reports suggest that the leadership has drafted a harmonised list behind closed doors, relying on internal appeal panel reports rather than transparently certifying results. This secretive approach has bred significant distrust among aspirants from various factions, who remain in the dark about which list will ultimately be submitted to the INEC nomination portal.
As the general election draws nearer, the APC is at risk of severe legal and electoral consequences. A hasty decision to upload a list that contravenes the party’s own guidelines could expose the APC to pre-election litigation, potentially disqualifying the party from the ballot altogether. Furthermore, with competing claims to ownership of the tickets, the party risks entering the electoral fray without a unified campaign, leaving it susceptible to challenges from opposition parties.
The imminent threat of discontent among aggrieved aspirants could further divide the party during the critical general elections in Ondo, complicating its ability to present a cohesive front. As the deadline approaches, the APC leadership faces a pivotal test. The decision regarding whose list to submit will significantly influence the party’s alignment and stability in Ondo State as it braces for the 2027 general elections. Starnews NG reports that the stakes are high, and the necessity for a clear, unified strategy has never been more urgent.
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