A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Yekini Nabena, has raised the alarm over alleged plans by the party’s National Working Committee to surrender control of all structures to state governors ahead of forthcoming nationwide congresses.
Nabena, in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, warned that concentrating power at ward, local government, and state levels in the hands of governors would trigger widespread discontent, sideline genuine party faithful, and drive away the party’s grassroots base.
The Bayelsa State party chieftain emphasised that the 2027 general elections would essentially pit the masses against a privileged few wielding power, making it imperative to ensure broad-based participation in party affairs.
He expressed concern that current preparations by the Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda-led NWC suggest a predetermined outcome favouring governors, based on intelligence gathered from the party’s national secretariat.
Nabena called for urgent intervention to forestall potential disaster, noting that party leaders still have time to reverse course and guarantee credible congresses across the federation.
“The fact that the National Chairman and over half the NWC members secured their positions through appointment rather than election raises serious questions about their commitment to democratic processes,” he stated.
The party stalwart urged the NWC to ensure transparency by making nomination forms available to all aspirants, warning that any other approach would trigger legal challenges and friction across states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He argued that many current NWC members lack firsthand experience of competitive elections, having never contested for their present positions, and therefore require proper guidance.
“Intelligence reaching us indicates that nomination forms are being channeled exclusively to governors, who will handpick occupants of party offices. This approach is unsustainable and will spark internal upheaval that could tear the party apart,” Nabena cautioned.
He appealed to party elders and stakeholders to prevail on the NWC to adopt inclusive, transparent processes before it becomes too late to reverse course.
Nabena specifically called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene decisively before the congresses commence, warning that failure to act could prove catastrophic.
He noted that the party’s membership had plummeted from approximately 40 million to barely 10 million during the ongoing electronic registration exercise, underscoring the urgency of retaining remaining supporters through fair treatment.
“We cannot afford to alienate the few grassroots members still standing with us. The NWC must demonstrate wisdom and embrace equity in conducting these congresses,” Nabena declared.
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