The crisis rocking the Kwara State chapter of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), is among the crises at the state levels of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nigeria that could be considered to be the toughest....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
What Led To The Political Rift?
The minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, was actually an indisputable figure among various politicians who came together to push a political force that put an end to the years-long reign of Saraki’s political dynasty in Kwara State. In the 2019 governorship election, Alhaji Lai Mohammed worked assiduously for the political success of AbdulRahmon AbdulRazaq, the candidate of his political party, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State.
After the victory of AbdulRahmon AbdulRazaq, the political loyalists of Alhaji Lai Mohammed insisted that Governor AbdulRahmon AbdulRazaq has been sidelining them, in the course of formulating his executive cabinet and appointment of politicians into political offices.
This led the loyalists of Governor AbdulRahmon AbdulRazaq and those supporting minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to be engaging themselves in tough political rift, over the past few months.
How Far Has Been The Political Rift?
The political rift between the loyalists of Governor AbdulRahmon AbdulRazaq and the supporters of Alhaji Lai Mohammed has been so tough to the extent that it has, unfortunately, lead the state chapter of the party into two factions with one loyal to the state governor while the other is loyal to the minister.
The two factions held parallel congresses where parallel party excos emerged. The political rift between Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Governor AbdulRahmon AbdulRazaq has, also, lead the members of the party in the state to belaying claim to two party secretariats, in the state.
What Does The Party Stands To Lose, If It Fails To Reconcile?
The political rift between Governor AbdulRahmon AbdulRazaq and Alhaji Lai Mohammed must have been seen as an opportunity for the main opposition party in the state, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to take over the affairs of ruling the state, probably, in the 2023 general elections.
Considerably, this could be so because without resolution, many members and leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may decide to join force with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to influence the outcome of the 2023 governorship election in the state.
Besides, leaders of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might have, also, capitalized on the political rift to approach some aggrieved and dissenting members and leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the course of mobilizing supporters for the opposition party.
How Is The Political Rift Being Settled?
Since the newly elected Kwara State Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Sunday Fagbemi, was elected, he has been appealing to aggrieved party leaders and members in the state to give peace a chance.
Sunday Fagbemi has been, interestingly, doing well with his reconciliation move and most importantly, he claimed that the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is in support of his move.
Recently, Prince Sunday Fagbemi visited Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his Ikoyi residence and the meeting may have been assisting Prince Fagbemi on his move to reunite the party in Kwara State.
With Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s acceptance of the Fagbemi-led delegation from Kwara State, one may suggest that Alhaji Lai Mohammed may, probably, reconcile his political rift with Governor AbdulRahmon AbdulRazaq, considering the relationship between Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Asiwaju Tinubu.
How May This Affect Opposition Party in The State?
Surely, if the support being given to Prince Sunday Fagbemi-led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, successfully, reconcile the political rift within the Kwara State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the chances of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to pose threat at the ruling party in the state may, possibly, become frustrated and the leadership of the opposition party may remain unsettled toward the election.
