The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) has adopted a new strategy to prevent possible sabotage during the 2027 general elections. According to sources, the NWC has directed some of its candidates to submit the names of their proposed party agents directly to the national secretariat in Abuja. This move represents a departure from the party's usual practice, where state chapters are responsible for compiling and submitting the names of party agents.
The APC's decision to bypass state chapters is reportedly aimed at preventing alleged plots to undermine the party's candidates on election day. A source close to the party revealed that the arrangement is being applied mainly in states where the NWC suspects that some governors are sponsoring candidates on the platforms of other political parties against APC candidates. The move is seen as a measure to ensure the party's candidates are not compromised.
The development was confirmed by a member of the National Assembly from Ondo State, who is also an APC candidate for the 2027 elections. The lawmaker, who requested anonymity, revealed that the APC NWC had bypassed the Ondo State governor and directed candidates to submit the names of their agents directly to the national secretariat. The forms for the agents are already with the candidates, and the state chairman was instructed not to hand over the agents' forms to anyone except the candidates.
The APC's national leadership is reportedly monitoring the activities of APC governors across the country and may adopt a similar approach when disbursing election funds. According to sources, the NWC could also bypass governors suspected of sponsoring opposition candidates and channel election funds directly to APC candidates in their states to prevent possible sabotage. This move is seen as a measure to ensure that party funds are not misused.
The Oodua Progressive Youths League (OPYL), a South-West group, had alleged that some governors whose preferred aspirants lost the party's National Assembly primaries directed them to seek tickets from opposition parties and contest against APC candidates in 2027. The group claimed that the affected governors had directed candidates they sponsored on opposition platforms to nominate their loyalists, who remained members of the APC, as agents for the ruling party.
The APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, was asked to comment on the development but simply said, "I am not aware." The party's silence on the matter has raised concerns about the potential for sabotage during the 2027 elections. The APC's decision to bypass state chapters and direct candidates to submit party agents' names directly to the national secretariat is seen as a measure to prevent such sabotage.
The 2027 general elections are expected to be a major test for the APC, with the party facing challenges from within and outside. The party's ability to manage its internal conflicts and prevent sabotage will be crucial in determining its chances of success in the elections. The APC's new strategy to bypass state chapters and direct candidates to submit party agents' names directly to the national secretariat is seen as a move to strengthen its chances.
Key points
- APC National Working Committee directs candidates to submit party agents' names directly to national secretariat, bypassing state chapters.
- The move is aimed at preventing alleged plots to undermine the party's candidates on election day.
- The APC's decision has raised concerns about the potential for sabotage during the 2027 elections.
