APC pushes back against influence politics, warns Wike, govs

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has pushed back against what it described as “influence politics” within and outside the ruling party, insisting that no individual, including state governors or non-members, controls its structures or decision-making processes.

Speaking on a radio programme in Jos, APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, said the party operates a centralised structure that prevents the domination of party affairs by powerful individuals at state or local levels.

“Across the country, nobody can take any section of the party. Whatever is done at the state level is planned at the national level. It is not planned at the state level,” Nentawe said. “No local government chairman, governor, senator or individual has control over the APC. Even as national chairman, I do not control the party.”

According to him, the party’s structure was deliberately designed to avoid crises associated with godfatherism and elite capture.

“That is why APC does not have a board of trustees. The people own the APC and are the trustees of the party, unlike other parties where some individuals control party structures,” he said.

Nentawe’s comments came amid growing concern within the party in his home state of Plateau following the defection of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, with party members expressing fears that the governor could move to take over the party’s structure and marginalise existing stakeholders.

The remarks also followed mounting controversy over the alleged interference of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in the affairs of the ruling party in Rivers state, despite his continued membership of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

‘Wike wings to be clipped soon’

Commenting on the development, APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, described Wike as a “busybody” who has no right to meddle in the internal affairs of the APC.

“As far as membership is concerned, Wike is not a member of the APC and has no right to interfere in its affairs,” Ibrahim said while appearing on a Trust TV programme.

He added that “Supporting President Tinubu does not automatically confer APC membership or give anyone the authority to influence party decisions.”

He warned that continued interference by non-members or overbearing political actors would attract consequences, stressing that the party would not tolerate actions capable of undermining internal discipline.

He further stressed that while the APC remains open to new members, anyone seeking to join must respect the party’s leadership hierarchy and rules.

“Leadership in the APC is determined by constitutional structure, not personal influence. Governors lead the party at the state level, while at the federal level the president is the most senior elected official,” he said.

The remarks by the two APC leaders echoed a similar critical stance earlier taken by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, against Wike over the minister’s feud with Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who recently joined the ruling party.

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