The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is grappling with a fresh internal crisis just days before its National Convention scheduled for March 26 and 27 at Eagle Square, Abuja.
The development follows allegations by some aspirants that the party leadership is adopting a “tactical approach” to edge them out of the race through the denial of nomination forms.
One of the aggrieved aspirants, Dagogo Fubara, who is contesting for the position of Zonal Vice Chairman (South-South), petitioned the party leadership over what he described as deliberate obstruction.
Despite reportedly paying ₦5.1 million, Fubara said he was repeatedly denied access to nomination forms.
“I do not wish to believe that the delay or refusal… is a tactical approach to exclude me,” he said, warning that time was running out ahead of the convention.
In a scathing letter of protest, Fubara noted that the filing of such forms was “tasking and requires a minimum of four days to fill/complete,” further asserting his suspicion of foul play.
Another aspirant, Oyiborume Paul Yovwe, who is eyeing the National Secretary position, also alleged irregularities.
He claimed that after making payment for the ₦7.5 million form, the party’s finance department refused to issue him an official receipt.
“I went to the financial department to clear my payment and convert the teller to a receipt, but they refused. When I asked why, I was told the form for the position of national secretary had already been assigned to one person,” Yovwe alleged.
According to Vanguard, the party had last week announced that it would go into the convention with its existing zoning formula.
The formula effectively dismisses Mr Yovwe from the race, as he is from Delta State (South South), while the position he is seeking – national secretary – is zoned to the South-West, with the incumbent from Osun State.
However, the party leadership has maintained that the process is guided strictly by its zoning arrangement.
The National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, had earlier warned aspirants to comply with the zoning formula.
Under the arrangement: The position of National Secretary is zoned to the South-West; Aspirants from other regions, including the South-South, are automatically disqualified.
There are growing concerns within the party that: Some positions may already have preferred candidates; Limited nomination forms were allegedly printed for key offices; Power blocs may be influencing outcomes behind the scenes.
Support groups, including one backing National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, have already purchased forms to retain him in office.
Reacting to the allegations, Mr Abimbola Tooki, media aide to the APC National Chairman, denied claims of exclusion.
He stated that: “There is no directive barring anyone… eligibility is strictly based on compliance with zoning arrangements.”
He added that the system is designed to ensure fairness and order within the party.
The controversy has exposed cracks within the party, with key blocs such as: The Progressive Governors’ Forum; National Assembly caucus; Regional factions reportedly divided over the convention process.
