Anderson Cooper’s Take On Nigeria's Political Moves: A Closer Look

Scope 02 Apr 2025

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Political Moves Within the APC: Extending Tenures Sparks Controversy

Listen, here's the deal. It’s no secret that politics can get messy, and Nigeria’s All Progressives Congress (APC) is no exception. Right now, the presidency is pulling some strings to strengthen its grip on the party's national secretariat. They're doing this by extending the tenures of key national officers, and let me tell you, it's not sitting well with everyone.

With the 2027 general elections just around the corner, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is working hard to ensure a smooth path for his re-election. But here’s the kicker—this move is causing ripples of dissatisfaction among powerful stakeholders within the party. You see, not everyone is on board with the idea of extending terms, and that’s where things get complicated.

Ganduje’s Extended Reign: A Strategic Move or a Recipe for Conflict?

Saturday Tribune has uncovered some interesting developments. It seems there are plans in motion to extend the terms of members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), led by Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, beyond the next general election. This isn’t just about Ganduje; it’s also about extending the terms of state-level leaders. The goal? To avoid the chaos that might come with electing new national and state officers, which could lead to legal battles and further division within the party.

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Insiders say this idea was discussed at the national caucus meeting before the National Executive Committee (NEC) gathering in February in Abuja. At the end of that meeting, the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, read a vote of confidence in Ganduje's leadership, essentially signaling the party's approval of the extension plans. Ganduje, along with Senator Ajibola Basiru, took over as national chairman and secretary respectively, in August 2023, after Senators Abdullahi Adamu and Iyiola Omisore were removed during an NEC meeting.

By the Book: What Does the APC Constitution Say?

According to Article 17(1) of the APC Constitution (2022 as amended), party officers are supposed to serve a four-year term, with the option for re-election or reappointment for one additional term. The article clearly states, "Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, all officers of the Party elected or appointed into the Party’s organs shall serve in such organs for a period of four (4) years and shall be eligible for re-election or reappointment for another period of four (4) years only." So, you can see why some people are raising eyebrows over this proposed extension.

Now, let's talk about the frustration brewing among first-term governors. Many of them are unhappy about the imposition of loyalists of their predecessors at both the state and national levels. These governors want to install their own supporters, but the presidency’s involvement in the appointments is creating friction. It's like trying to fit square pegs into round holes—it just doesn’t work.

Automatic Tickets: A Boon or a Bust?

Another bone of contention is the issue of automatic tickets for federal lawmakers who defected to the APC. According to reports, several senators and House of Representatives members secured agreements for automatic tickets from the presidency before publicly announcing their defection. For instance, Senators Ezenwa Onyewuchi (Imo East) and Ned Nwoko (Delta North) are among those who reportedly secured such deals. In the House of Representatives, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, the daughter of PDP chieftain James Ibori, and Salman Idris (Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency), who defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), are also beneficiaries of this arrangement.

While these lawmakers are enjoying the perks of their new affiliations, others within the party are grumbling in private. They're worried that the presidency's move to impose candidates will stifle internal party democracy. It’s like being invited to a party where the guest list is already decided before you even arrive. Not exactly a welcoming gesture, right?

In conclusion, the political landscape in Nigeria is evolving rapidly, and these moves by the APC are just the tip of the iceberg. Only time will tell if these strategic decisions will bear fruit or lead to further turmoil within the party. Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds.