The much-anticipated National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) took place in Abuja, but notable absentees—including former President Muhammadu Buhari, ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and former governors Nasir el-Rufai and Rotimi Amaechi—sparked speculations about cracks within the party.
At the meeting, President Bola Tinubu made a passionate appeal to aggrieved party members, urging them to remain calm and assuring them that he would not let them down. This marked the first NEC gathering since Tinubu took office in May 2023 and since Abdullahi Ganduje assumed the party’s chairmanship.
Despite the absence of key figures, top APC leaders—including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and several state governors—were present to discuss party affairs, economic developments, and upcoming elections.
Tinubu’s Reconciliation Strategy
Addressing NEC members, Tinubu acknowledged internal disputes and approved the formation of reconciliation committees across all states. He also announced plans to relocate the party’s national secretariat to a larger location, citing space constraints at the current headquarters.
“I appeal to all aggrieved members to remain calm. We are committed to strengthening our party and ensuring its continued success,” Tinubu reassured.
Economic Outlook: Tinubu Claims Progress
On the economy, Tinubu claimed that food prices were dropping—a statement timed to resonate with the Muslim fasting season of Ramadan. He acknowledged ongoing global economic challenges but insisted that his administration was working to stabilize the nation’s economy.
Winning Anambra & Osun: APC’s Next Battlefields
APC Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje outlined the party’s focus on securing victories in the upcoming governorship elections in Anambra and Osun states. He emphasized that reconciliation efforts were already yielding results and expressed confidence in the party’s electoral strength.
N8.98 Billion Debt Burden
Ganduje also disclosed that he inherited a staggering N8.98 billion debt from legal battles tied to pre-election disputes, election petitions, and appeals. He urged NEC members to intervene, warning that some party accounts remained frozen due to outstanding liabilities.
El-Rufai Under Fire
Meanwhile, the party’s national spokesperson, Felix Morka, took a swipe at Nasir el-Rufai, dismissing his recent criticisms of APC’s internal structure. Morka urged the former Kaduna governor to show restraint, stating that his grievances should not be mistaken for party-wide dysfunction.
“El-Rufai is just one person in the party’s structure. He must speak in a manner befitting of his status,” Morka asserted, adding that anyone who engages in public criticism should expect responses.
What’s Next for APC?
While the NEC meeting reaffirmed support for Ganduje’s leadership, the absence of some political heavyweights has raised questions about party unity. With reconciliation committees now in place and key elections on the horizon, APC faces the challenge of keeping its house in order while maintaining its grip on power.
Will Tinubu’s reconciliation efforts mend the cracks, or are deeper divisions within APC yet to surface? Time will tell.
