Politics

2023: APC Woos Aggrieved Opposition, New Members, Offers Waivers

Published

4 years ago

February 20, 2022

Ahead of the 2023 presidential elections, the All Progressives Congress has proposed an amendment to its constitution, giving waivers to aspirants who will not qualify to contest in a primary.

Also, a person who is not a member of the party will also have the luxury of participating in the primary and registering afterwards.

Some persons who are currently not members of the APC are said to be considering whether to contest for the Presidency or not as a member of the APC.

Chief among such persons include former President Goodluck Jonathan and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

It is also expected that aggrieved members of the opposition who are denied tickets may abandon their political parties and pitch tent with the APC.

A member of the APC, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said “we have to plan for the defection of members of opposition political parties who are likely going to be denied tickets by their political parties. We know that is bound to happen.

“We also know some of our members would leave for another political party after primaries. The PDP for example, gives waivers to new members who want to contest any political office.”

The current APC constitution states that no person shall be eligible to contest for any party position or office or be nominated by the party to be its candidate at any election, if the person is not a member of the party.

It adds that any party office holder interested in contesting for an elective office (whether party office or office in a general election) shall resign and leave office 30 days prior to the date of the party primary.

The proposed constitutional amendment, however, states that the party’s National Executive Committee and its National Working Committee are free to grant a waiver to anyone who doesn’t meet these criteria if it is convinced that granting such a waiver would be in the best interest of the party.

The proposed clause 31.3 titled ‘waiver’, reads in part, “Subject to the approval of the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee may, in special circumstances, grant a waiver to a person seeking a national party office, who is otherwise not qualified under this constitution if, in its opinion, such a waiver is in the best interest of the party.

“Subject to the approval of the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee may, in special circumstances, grant a waiver to a person seeking the office of President, Vice President, Governor, Deputy Governor, Senator, member of the House Representatives, who is otherwise not qualified under this constitution if, in its opinion, such a waiver is in the best interest of the party.”

The PUNCH reports that both Emefiele and Jonathan have in recent times been touted as possible preferred candidates of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.). While Jonathan is not currently registered as an APC member, he has not publicly identified with the Peoples Democratic Party for some time.

He was also absent from the party’s national convention last November. Former Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, said recently that it was unlikely that Jonathan was still a member of the PDP as he had not been identifying with the party. Several groups have been mobilising support for Jonathan who led Nigeria between 2010 and 2015. His posters are expected to flood the streets of Abuja this week.

For CBN Governor, Emefiele, his supporters, donning APC shirts, have begun a nationwide campaign for him. Earlier in the week, he received some supporters in his office and told them that Buhari would be the one to determine his successor. Emefiele, however, refused to confirm or deny his interest in the Presidency.

Related Topics:APC Godwin Emefiele Goodluck Jonathan

Up Next

2023 Presidency: Court Dismisses Suit Challenging Atiku’s Eligibility To Contest

Don't Miss

Tinubu: Faleke Lambasts Aregbesola, Says ‘You Lied’

Comments

Politics

2027: Rivers APC Pledges To Follow Wike’s Instructions

Published

11 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Editor

Leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, has declared that whatever instruction the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, gives on the 2027 elections concerning the State will be followed.

The Chairman of the party, Mr Rejoice Otobo, stated this during Wike’s “thank you” visit to the local government area on Sunday.

Otobo assured Wike that the people would not fail him because of what he has done in the area.

“We await instructions from you on the 2027 elections concerning Rivers State. Wherever you ask us to go, there we shall go; whatever you ask us to do is what we will do.

“All the good and the bad people of the LGA have decided that where you want us to go is where we will go,” the chairman said.

Similarly, his counterpart in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Ikechukwu Obuzor, said that the minister has given Ahoada people hope and pledged complete loyalty.

“I want to say that we are standing firm with you. Wherever you go, we will go. Be rest assured come 2027, Ahoada West will deliver the needed results for you,” he said.

Earlier, Chairman of Ahoada Local Government Council, Mr Chita Eugene, who described Wike as “the political field marshall of South South”, praised him for the unprecedented development he attracted to Rivers State.

Eugene said that the visit was not just a thank you visit; it was a celebration of effective leadership and public service.

Also, House of Representatives member representing Ahoada West/Ogba-Egbema/Ndoni Federal Constituency, Victor Obuzor, said that Wike deserved his support because he had done well for the LGA, and equally transformed Rivers State during his tenure as governor of the state.

Similarly, the Seyi Tinubu Support Group, led by Chidi Amadi, equally pledged their support to Wike and reelection of President Bola Tinubu for a second term.

In his remarks, Wike explained that he was in the area to thank the people for the overwhelming support given to him and Tinubu during the 2023 elections.

He said that Rivers State used to be respected for its strong political stand on good governance across the country until bad governance happened.

The minister, who insisted that Governor Siminalayi Fubara must not be voted for a second term, stressed the need to restore the glory of the state in the political landscape of the country.

This, he said, would be achieved by correcting the leadership mistake in the state in 2027.

“Already, Rivers State is being respected because of what we are doing in FCT. We need a leader we can trust to drive our dear state to glory and progress,” the minister said.

Politics

Why Kano Governor Postponed Formal Defection To APC

Published

13 hours ago

January 4, 2026

Editor

…You can’t betray me to succeed ―Kwankwaso

The much-anticipated defection of Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has allegedly been postponed.

This is just as leader of the NNPP and former Kano State governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, warned party members against political betrayal, insisting that defection from the movement has never brought lasting success.

According to a reliable source who preferred anonymity, the official defection of the governor earlier scheduled for Monday, January 5, 2026, has now been shifted to Monday, January 12, 2026.

The source noted that Governor Yusuf requested additional time to conclude consultations with key political actors.

The source, who was present at a meeting between Governor Yusuf and Vice President Kashim Shettima in Abuja on Friday, said the governor is seeking to engage a few remaining state legislators and other critical stakeholders who are yet to fully align with the proposed political realignment.

“Kano is a politically sensitive state and the governor wants to ensure that all necessary consultations are completed before making such a major decision,” the source said.

But Kwankwaso, who spoke during a meeting with supporters at his residence in Kano, said he was neither surprised nor disturbed by the alleged moves of some members planning to defect from the party to rival political parties.

In a viral video from the gathering circulating on social media, Kwankwaso stressed that political history is unforgiving to those who abandon the movements that brought them to prominence.

“I want to remind those who left us that nobody has betrayed us and succeeded,” Kwankwaso said. “Political history is very clear on this matter. Those who believe they can rise by betraying the people and the movement they came from should think deeply.”

The former governor, who was the NNPP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, said the strength of the party does not depend on the loyalty of a few political office holders but on the support of ordinary citizens, who believe in the ideals of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.

“I am not disturbed by these developments.

“What truly matters is the support of the masses, not the movement of a few politicians who are chasing personal interests,” he added.

Kwankwaso pointed to the large turnout of supporters at the meeting as evidence that the NNPP continues to enjoy strong grassroots backing across Kano State despite the rumours of political realignments.

“You can see with your own eyes the number of people who came here today. This shows clearly that our movement is alive, strong and firmly rooted among the people of Kano,” he said.

He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to people-centred governance, social justice and political inclusion, describing the Kwankwasiyya Movement as bigger than any individual and resilient to political manoeuvring or defections.

Kano, long regarded as a strategic hub of northern Nigerian politics, has been rife with speculation following reports of the governor’s planned defection. The development has continued to generate intense political interest, with analysts saying that Yusuf’s move could significantly alter the balance of power in the state.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Kano State government nor the leadership of the NNPP and APC has issued an official statement on the postponed defection.

Politics

Dino Melaye Reacts To Malami’s Arraignment For Money Laundering

Published

6 days ago

December 30, 2025

Editor

Ex-Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, has reacted to the arraignment of a former Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami, before an Abuja Federal High Court.

Melaye wished Malami well as he began his trial for corruption.

Posting on X, the former lawmaker recalled how he was prosecuted by Malami over what he described as frivolous cases while he was the AGF.

He wrote: “Reminded me of how I was appearing in different courts when Malami as AGF was prosecuting me over frivolous cases including taking over one of the police cases against me. Wish him.well.”

Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and another individual are facing a 16-count charge of money laundering.

They were arraigned on allegations of unlawful acquisition and concealment of funds.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.