Ahead of the intense politicking leading to the 2019 presidential elections, President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to lead consultation, reconciliation and confidence building efforts toward improving cohesion within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu, in a statement, said the assignment will involve resolving disagreements among party members, the party leadership and political office holders in some states.
APC leaders and government officials are at daggers drawn in some states, including Kano where Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and his predecessor, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, have not seen eye to eye in the last two years. Supporters of both leaders have sustained the war of attrition.
In Ondo State, there is a leadership crisis in the party, following the rejection of Hon. Isaac Kekemeke and the elevation of deputy chairman Ade Adetimehin to his position. Also, a section of the party believes that the 2016 governorship poll is inconclusive as an aspirant, Dr. Segun Abraham, is challenging the outcome of the primary that produced Governor Rotimi Akeredolu as the standard bearer.
In Ogun, the preparation for next year’s governorship election appears to be tearing the chapter apart. Supporters of Senator Solomon Adeola, a governorship contender, have alleged marginalisation and oppression by the party leadership. The governor is believed to be backing another aspirant.
In Kaduna, there is an ongoing clash between Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Senator Shehu Sani, who represents Kaduna Central. The senator has also become an ardent critic of the Buhari administration.
In Bauchi, there is a deep gulf between Governor Mohamed Abubakar and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara. There have been efforts to resolve their differences.
In Kogi, Governor Yahaya Bello is up in arms against majority of party leaders and stakeholders who have complained about his style of governance and politics. James Faleke, the running mate to the late governorship candidate Abubakar Audu, has not been factored into the politics of the state.
Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi and Minister of Communications Adebayo Shittu are no friends. Shittu is seeking the governorship ticket without having anything to do with the governor who controls the party machinery. He has been running a solo campaign for Buhari’s second term.
The Ekiti APC is divided ahead of the July governorship election. Almost all the leading lights of the party are interested in the governorship ticket.
In Zamfara State, there is a deep seated rift between Governor Abdulazeez Yari and Senator Marafa over the management of the party.
A crisis has broken out in Rivers between Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Magnus Abe. The bone of contention is the control of party structure ahead of next year’s polls.
In Delta State, APC is in crisis. The gladiators are fighting over the control of the party machinery. Efforts to reconcile Chief O’taga Emerhor, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Chief Great Ogboruy and Chief Okoti-Eboh have failed.
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