Politics
Anger in APC over non-refund of nomination fees
Four months after President Muhammadu Buhari ordered a refund of nomination fees to aspirants who stepped down during the All Progressives Congress (APC) March 26 consensus National Convention, the party is yet to comply.
The party, in the last two months, has also failed in the payment of staff salary as at when due. June salary was paid mid July and workers only received their July pay last Friday, as against payment on the 25th of every month.
President Buhari, at March 24 meeting with eight national chairmanship aspirants, persuaded them to step down for a consensus candidate, with a promise to refund their nomination fees.
Each aspirant for party offices paid between N20 and N2.5 million for the expression of interest and nomination forms, depending on the office contested for. Investigations showed that the party raked in over N700 million from about 170 persons.
It was also learnt that the party generated over N3 billion from members who purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms to contest for tickets ahead if the 2023 general elections.
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But despite the huge receipts, affected party members are complaining about the non-compliance with the presidential directive.
Other members who may soon launch an attack on the Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led National Working Committee (NWC) are those engaged to conduct screening and party primaries that produced candidates for the 2023 election.
An affected member who stepped down for one of the national vice chairmanship candidates, who was also involved in the conduct of primaries in the Northwest, complained bitterly.
He said: ‘When the president gave the order on March 23, one will think the first assignment of beneficiaries of the consensus arrangement would be to effect an immediate refund of our nomination fees, having asked us to write our bank details for refund.
“The party is buoyant. The Governor Buni-led Caretaker Committee left money, the NWC equally realised a huge sum, running to billions of Naira. What excuse will the NWC give for this delay? When the committee (NWC) has since paid their allowances.
“Individually we applied for a refund and we have collectively sent a formal letter through the Forum of National Convention Aspirants but all have gone unattended to. The irony of it is that when we failed to honour a promise made to our members; when the party engaged members on sensitive assignments like the screening and conduct of primaries and the assignment was carried out, using our money, one would not expect the party to honour us with non-payment of our dues. To add salt to our injury, we learnt that the yet-to-be-paid allowances have been slashed by 40 per cent.”
National Vice Chairman (Northwest) Salihu Lukman regretted the delay, but said the matter is being looked into.
“It is part of the unfortunate internal challenges. Administratively, this should have been resolved long ago. For instance, in my case, about four people stepped down for me and they have been talking to me. I have been drawing the party’s attention and I think now it is clear that the party has to resolve it as quickly as possible. I can assure you it will happen soon.”
The Nation
Politics
Why we will work against Atiku in 2027 – Bauchi gov’s son
Why we will work against Atiku in 2027 – Bauchi gov’s son
Shamsu Bala, son of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, has publicly accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of undermining his father’s bid for reelection in 2023—alleging that the time has come to “settle scores.”
In a post shared on social media Saturday, Mr. Bala expressed strong disapproval of Atiku’s approach toward reconciliation ahead of the 2027 elections, stating that the presidential hopeful remains indifferent toward mending ties with the governor.
“He (Atiku) didn’t work for us in the 2023 election; he worked for Air Marshal (the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Abubakar Sadiq). He deployed elites in Bauchi to fight us, and we narrowly won the election,” Mr. Bala wrote in Hausa.
He added: “Now he is taking us for granted, he doesn’t value us as humans, he is showing us that we are too small to call for reconciliation.”
Although he didn’t name those involved, his remarks appear to allude to certain Bauchi political heavyweights. In early 2023, Governor Mohammed directed the Bauchi Emirate Council to strip veteran politician Bello Kirfi of his traditional title of Wazirin Bauchi over alleged disloyalty. Kirfi, a former minister and close ally of Atiku, is seen by some as one of the elites mentioned by the governor’s son.
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Another key figure, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara, supported Atiku’s presidential run but did not back Governor Mohammed’s reelection.
Despite the tensions, Atiku secured a strong showing in Bauchi during the 2023 presidential election, defeating his closest rival, Bola Tinubu of the APC, by more than 100,000 votes. Atiku garnered 426,607 votes compared to Tinubu’s 316,694.
Mr. Bala’s comments surfaced shortly after Atiku paid a visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna—a move widely interpreted as part of ongoing coalition-building efforts ahead of the 2027 election.
The comments sparked concern among PDP loyalists. Party supporter and social media influencer Abdulaziz Na’ibi-Abubakar responded to the post by urging reconciliation between the two camps. “We hope that Atiku and Governor Bala Mohammed reconcile their differences to keep the PDP on track,” he stated.
Governor Mohammed had previously challenged Atiku during the PDP’s 2022 presidential primaries before shifting focus to secure a second term as governor. As chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, he remains a central figure in the party’s internal politics and is speculated to still harbor presidential ambitions.
Why we will work against Atiku in 2027 – Bauchi gov’s son
(PREMIUM TIMES)
Politics
2027: Buhari loyalists, CPC threaten to leave APC, Tinubu worries
2027: Buhari loyalists, CPC threaten to leave APC, Tinubu worries
With the 2027 presidential election drawing closer, President Bola Tinubu’s camp is reportedly scrambling to prevent a major political crisis as influential members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly those from the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc, consider defecting to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Tinubu Turns to Al-Makura to Pacify Buhari’s Allies
A leaked internal memo reveals that President Tinubu is banking on former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, to persuade the CPC bloc—loyalists of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari—to remain in the APC. Sources say Al-Makura is being offered the APC national chairmanship in exchange for his role in convincing Buhari to intervene and stop his supporters from leaving.
Al-Makura is expected to hold a press conference on Monday, where he may announce Buhari’s alleged endorsement of Tinubu’s efforts to keep the party united.
Growing Discontent Within APC
The ruling party is facing increasing internal strife, with several high-profile figures openly expressing dissatisfaction with Tinubu’s leadership. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and ex-Imo State Governor Achike Udenwa are reportedly exploring alternative political platforms ahead of 2027.
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El-Rufai has already claimed that Buhari gave him his “blessing” to leave the APC. Meanwhile, some former ministers from Buhari’s administration are said to be finalizing plans to join the SDP in large numbers. In Katsina, Buhari’s home state, several APC members have already defected.
APC Leadership in Panic Mode
The Progressive Governors’ Forum, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, recently visited Buhari in Kaduna, pleading with him to help stop the looming exodus.
APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) also met with the former president last Friday—just hours after opposition leaders, including Atiku, El-Rufai, Tambuwal, and former Communications Minister Isa Pantami, held talks with him.
With tensions rising, fears of a potential mass defection have intensified. Political observers warn that the departure of this influential faction could deal a significant blow to the ruling party’s prospects in the 2027 elections.
2027: Buhari loyalists, CPC threaten to leave APC, Tinubu worries
Politics
PHOTOS: After Atiku’s visit, Ganduje leads APC leaders to Buhari
PHOTOS: After Atiku’s visit, Ganduje leads APC leaders to Buhari
The national Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has led the party’s national working committee (NWC) to the residence of former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna State.
The development comes after opposition leaders visited the former President.
Newstrends had reported how ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar led key politicians, including El-Rufa’i, to Buhari at his residence in Kaduna state.
Some political commentators had said the visit was part of moves by the opposition to have a united front against the current government in the forthcoming general elections.
However, days before the visit by the opposition leaders, Buhari had received in audience governors elected under the APC platform.
Earlier last month, the former President had reaffirmed his commitment to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Buhari’s spokesperson, Garba Shehu, in a statement said, “Without referring to any individual, cast of characters, or issues, principles and ideals currently being discussed by Party leaders at various levels, former President Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated what he’s said times without number, that he is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and would like to be addressed as a loyal member of the party.”
PHOTOS: After Atiku’s visit, Ganduje leads APC leaders to Buhari
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