10 APC Aspirants Alert Tinubu to Kwara Party Leadership Crisis
Ten governorship aspirants from the All Progressives Congress in Kwara State have formally appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling for urgent intervention in what they describe as a deepening leadership crisis within the party's state structure. The aspirants, represented by Hammed Shittu, submitted a written petition outlining their grievances against the current party leadership, accusing officials of marginalisation and anti-party activities threatening the APC's stability ahead of the 2027 elections.
Aspirants Speak Out Against Party Leadership
Hammed Shittu, who read the petition on behalf of the group, told reporters in Ilorin that the current state executive committee had become a stumbling block for party cohesion. He said the ten aspirants represented a broad spectrum of the party's grassroots base and that their concerns reflected widespread discontent among party faithful across the state. The petition, dated within the past week, called on the President to use his influence to reconcile feuding factions before the crisis inflicts permanent damage on the party's electoral prospects.
The aspirants specifically named senior officials within the Kwara APC working against the collective interests of the party. They alleged that certain executives had been fielding candidates in local government elections without proper consultation, creating internal rifts that threatened to splinter the party's support base. Shittu said the situation had grown so volatile that several loyal members were considering leaving the APC entirely if no corrective action was taken.
The Grievances Behind the Crisis
According to the petition, the leadership crisis stems from a power struggle that intensified following the 2023 general elections. Aspirants claim the state party chairman and a handful of close associates have been making unilateral decisions, including the allocation of political appointments and the endorsement of candidates for upcoming council elections. The group argues this centralised decision-making has undermined the internal democracy the APC purports to uphold.
One of the core complaints centred on the alleged exclusion of certain aspirants from party structures and the refusal of the leadership to convene a meeting of stakeholders. Shittu noted that repeated calls for a peace conference had gone unheeded, forcing the ten aspirants to escalate their concerns directly to the President. The petition warned that the party's chances in Kwara State, long considered an APC stronghold, were now at serious risk without immediate remedial action.
Political Stakes for Kwara and the APC
Kwara State occupies a significant position in APC's regional strategy. The party has held the governorship since 2016 and relies on the state's delegates to influence national conventions and congresses. Political analysts suggest the current internal conflict could weaken the APC's grip ahead of the 2027 governorship race, potentially opening space for opposition parties to exploit the divide. The ten aspirants represent a formidable bloc given that each carries significant political followings in their respective local government areas.
Party insiders who spoke on condition of anonymity said the crisis had also strained relationships between the state chapter and the national headquarters. Some national APC officials have reportedly attempted to broker peace talks, but those efforts have so far failed to produce a lasting resolution. The current party chairman in Kwara has denied the allegations, describing the aspirants' petition as an attempt to destabilise a functioning party structure.
What Comes Next
The petition has been received at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where officials confirmed the correspondence was under review. The presidency has not publicly commented on the specifics of the aspirants' complaints. Observers expect a fact-finding committee may be convened in the coming weeks if the President opts for formal intervention. The aspirants have given the party leadership a two-week ultimatum to act on their demands before they take further action, which could include public rallies or formal complaints to the APC National Working Committee.
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