APC accused of meddling ahead of 2027 polls as PDP, LP reel from internal crises

•Ruling party inciting trouble to retain power, says NNPP
•Monitor APC, safeguard democracy, Makinde tasks media
•PDP Senate caucus moves to resolve internal disputes, calls for unity
•Obi’s 2027 ambition threatened as INEC recognises Abure as LP chairman
•Jonathan warns of political instability over controversial court rulings
•Obasanjo: There’s much to be said; it’s not yet time

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has again been accused of “doing everything possible to win the 2027 general election” amid “evidence” that it is interfering with the activities of opposition political parties.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) yesterday accused the APC of orchestrating a crisis in some of the country’s opposition parties to retain power beyond 2027.

However, the party’s National Chairman, Ajuji Ahmed, expressed the readiness to ally with other political parties to dislodge the APC in the 2027 general election.

Ajuji, who stated this during the flag-off campaign for the party’s Ondo state governorship candidate, Olugbenga Edema, alleged that the APC had been interfering in the internal affairs of other parties to weaken their structures and take control.

According to him, APC has concluded plans to disrupt the merger talks by the opposition, which aims to unite as a strong force and dislodge the ruling party in the general elections.

“The APC is doing everything possible to win the 2027 general election. Indeed, there is evidence everywhere that they are interfering with the other parties. But it is left to the other political parties to maintain their integrity and ensure they remain one and viable opposition to the APC before and after the 2027 election,” Ajuji said.

He urged the APC to be ready to transfer power to an opposition party after President Bola Tinubu’s government. He revealed that the NNPP had been collaborating with opposition parties to ally ahead of the 2027 poll.

He added, “We have our doors open in such a way that if there is going to be a coalition of all the political parties to go into the election, we are ready for that.”

Similarly, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde called on the media to fulfil its role as society’s watchdog by holding the ruling party accountable and preventing it from stifling democracy by suppressing opposition parties.

Makinde made the remarks during the opening ceremony of a three-day retreat organised by the Press Corps of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ibadan, with the theme “The Role of the Media in Fostering Transparency and Development in a Multi-party Democracy.”

Represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the Governor underscored the critical role of the media in ensuring checks and balances in a multi-party democracy. He urged journalists to hold those in power accountable and prevent the ruling party from abusing its position.

“It is imperative that the media stands up to those in power and keeps them in check to safeguard democracy. For a multi-party democracy to thrive, the media must prevent the ruling party from using its power to stifle democracy by undermining opposition parties,” Makinde stated.

Quoting French philosopher Baron De Montesquieu, Makinde reminded the media of the dangers of absolute power and emphasised the need for the press to prevent the ruling party from becoming autocratic. He praised the media for its efforts but encouraged journalists to continue speaking truth to power and promoting the PDP as a credible alternative.

However, the PDP is still struggling to put its house in order.

The party’s Senate caucus convened yesterday to discuss strategies for addressing the internal conflicts currently threatening its cohesion.

Following the meeting, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro (Benue South) outlined the resolutions to restore unity within the party.

Moro announced the formation of an extended caucus, which will include former governors and key party figures. This expanded team’s goal is to facilitate dialogue with various party organs, focusing on resolving critical issues that are essential to the PDP’s future.

“To secure the survival of the PDP, we are urging all members involved in legal disputes to withdraw their cases, thereby creating an environment for effective political resolutions to our challenges,” Moro stated. He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to maintaining its role as Nigeria’s principal opposition, providing a credible alternative to the current government.

In response to concerns about factionalism, Moro clarified that while there may be differences within the party, the PDP remains united. “We cannot afford to be divided during these critical times for our nation,” he stressed, underscoring the need for solidarity.

Moro also highlighted the necessity of personal sacrifice for the collective good, urging members with political aspirations to prioritise peace and cooperation within the party. “Achieving personal ambitions is contingent on the strength of our party,” he noted, adding that without a unified PDP, individual goals might remain unattainable.

The senator called on all members to work together to strengthen the party, stressing that a robust PDP is essential for the party’s future and the fulfilment of personal aspirations within its ranks.

On the Labour Party (LP) front, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has invited Julius Abure, the embattled National Chairman, to a consultative meeting with the leadership of political parties, confirming Abure as the party’s legitimate leader.

Although Peter Obi, the LP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has yet to declare his intention to run in 2027 amid the party’s ongoing leadership crisis, Abure had earlier announced in September that the party’s presidential ticket for the next election is no longer reserved for Obi.

At a press briefing after the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, Abure clarified: “NEC reviewed the decision of the National Convention to reserve its Presidential and Governorship tickets for Peter Gregory Obi and Alex Otti, respectively. Consequently, all party tickets, from the Presidency to the House of Assemblies, are open to all qualified Nigerians.”

The Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier affirmed Abure’s position as National Chairman of the Labour Party. Justice Emeka Nwite, in his ruling, ordered INEC to validate and recognise the Abure-led leadership of the party. The court also confirmed the legality of the March 2024 Nnewi National Convention, which produced the Abure-led executive.

INEC, however, had argued that the Labour Party’s convention violated the Nigerian Constitution and Electoral Act, further asserting that Abure’s tenure had expired in June 2024. The electoral body’s position came in response to a lawsuit filed by the Labour Party, challenging its exclusion from INEC’s refresher training for uploading party agents ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.

INEC claimed that the March 2024 convention breached both the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act, invalidating the party’s leadership. The commission maintained that it would only engage with political parties with legitimate leadership.

In response to the crisis, some Labour Party leaders, including Obi, Otti, and some elected Senators and House of Representatives members, met in Umuahia, Abia State, to form a 29-member caretaker committee chaired by former Minister of Finance Nenadi Usman. The committee was tasked with overseeing the election of new leadership within 90 days. However, the Abure faction rejected this move, with both Otti and Obi asserting that the interim committee was aimed at resolving the leadership crisis.

In a letter addressed to Abure and the National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony invited them to attend the fourth consultative and extraordinary meeting with political party leaders, which took place in Abuja yesterday.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Ibrahim expressed satisfaction that INEC had complied with the court order. He said the party is now ready to participate in all upcoming political activities, including the Anambra governorship election.

“With the leadership issue now completely resolved, I urge every member of the party to rally around the Abure leadership. What transpired was only a family affair, and we will, as a family, work towards restoring confidence in the party and bringing together any aggrieved or misled members,” Ibrahim said.

He also stressed that the party would emerge stronger and called on all members to contribute to rebuilding efforts, stating that it was not a matter of victory or defeat but rather a collective effort for the party’s future.

Obiora Ifoh, the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, also issued a statement praising INEC for adhering to the court’s decision and recognising Abure as the authentic chairman.

Ifoh said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission has finally obeyed the court order compelling it to recognise Julius Abure’s leadership of the Labour Party. On Tuesday, October 8, 2024, a Federal High Court in Abuja declared that the 2024 Labour Party National Convention held in Nnewi in March was valid, constitutional, and in line with all laid-down laws in Nigeria.

“In his judgment, Justice Emeka Nwite further directed INEC to grant due recognition and all privileges to the Labour Party’s National Working Committee, led by Julius Abure.”

MEANWHILE, former President Goodluck Jonathan expressed grave concerns about Nigeria’s deepening political crisis, attributing the turmoil to controversial court rulings that, according to him, have turned “the cone of justice upside down.”

Jonathan made these remarks in Lagos during the 67th birthday celebration and 50-book presentation of renowned human rights lawyer Prof Mike Ozekhome, SAN.

The event, which Jonathan co-chaired alongside former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, allowed him to express his concerns about the impact of recent court decisions on the country’s political stability.

Jonathan specifically referenced a controversial judgment that granted a ward chairman the power to expel the national chairman of a political party. “The way things are going, especially with the judgments coming from the courts, it feels like a cone that has been flipped upside down. Sooner or later, it will tip over,” Jonathan cautioned.

He said such rulings threatened to destabilise Nigeria’s political system and called on the judiciary to resist political interference. “How can a ward chairman expel the national chairman of a party? I’m not a lawyer, but I know this flies in the face of natural justice,” Jonathan said, alluding to the ongoing legal challenges affecting political parties.

The former president urged the Supreme Court to reconsider the ruling, stressing that it has exacerbated the political crises within several parties. “When I observe how things are run in other countries, I wonder how a sub-unit can have the authority to discipline the head. This situation defies natural justice and has thrown political parties into crisis,” he added.

His comments come when the judiciary has increasingly become the focus of public attention following a series of controversial decisions that have sparked political tensions across the country. Jonathan urged the judiciary to reflect on its role in shaping the nation’s political landscape, warning that continued misjudgments could have irreversible consequences.

Meanwhile, former President Olusegun Obasanjo also hinted at his concerns about the nation’s state but stopped short of making a full statement. “There is much to be said, but it is not yet time,” Obasanjo cryptically remarked, leaving attendees speculating about the depth of his concerns.

Obasanjo praised Ozekhome for his contributions to social justice and legal scholarship, describing him as an “extraordinary person” committed to advocacy for change. Jonathan also commended Ozekhome, noting his exceptional legal talents and dedication to improving society.

Former Chairman of the Body of Benchers (BoB), Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, reviewed Ozekhome’s 50 books, highlighting the legal scholar’s focus on constitutional rights, governance responsibilities, and the need for accountability in both public and private sectors.

Prominent figures at the event included Prince Arthur Eze, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Chief Chris Uche, SAN, and former Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang.

In his remarks, Obi urged Nigerians not to relent in building a better society, emphasising that collective action is essential to addressing the country’s challenges.

Obi added: “Until Nigerians jointly continue to push for what is right, the country cannot rise above its current situation.”