The quest of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to extend its control of the federal and state governments in Nigeria beyond 2023, has no doubt, started off on a bad note. It should be recalled that the party only came to limelight in 2015, when it pulled a shocker, by defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and its candidate, Goodluck Jonathan, to emerge as the country’s ruling party. The APC candidate for the election, Muhammadu Buhari, went on to win his second-term election in 2019....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
With his administration coming to an end in 2023, the party has begun to strategize on how to retain power beyond the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. However, multiplicity of interests by some political bigwigs within its ranks, has seen the party found itself in murky waters. Recall that recently, a faction of the party sacked its National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state (source: Daily Post).
The faction identified as Progressive Youth Movement, also went ahead to appoint Mustapha Audu, as the new Chairman of the party’s National Caretaker Committee. This can be argued to have worsened the crisis that is currently rocking the party. In my view, there are chances that the recent developments within the APC, particularly the emergence of a factional Chairman of its National Caretaker Committee, could see the following two factors end the party’s hope of retaining power beyond 2023.
1. Parallel Leadership
The first implication of the emergence of Mustapha Audu as a factional Chairman of the APC National Caretaker Committee, is the likelihood that the party could be in for a parallel National Convention. It should be recalled that not long ago, states where the party is factionalized, recorded parallel Congress that produced different chairman. The story could be the same for the APC National Convention, as each faction may be out to elect their own leaders. This would undoubtedly lead to series of litigation that could see the party disqualified from the 2023 presidential election.
2. Massive defection could hit the party due to worsening crisis.
Arguably, internal crisis at this critical time, is not in the best interest of the APC and its members. Considering that preparations for the 2023 general elections are already in top gear, there are chances that the crisis within the APC could turnout to be a push factor, that would see many of its members defect to other political parties. The implication of this is that, massive defection would weaken the APC, and automatically deny it the chance to retain power beyond 2023.