Arewa Youths Allege Plot to Destabilise APC, Block Tinubu’s Re-Election

Arewa Youths Allege Plot to Destabilise APC, Block Tinubu’s Re-Election

Northern youths under the umbrella of the Arewa Youth Assembly have alleged that there are ongoing plots to trigger internal crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a move aimed at weakening President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group made the allegation during a press conference held in Abuja on Sunday, where it claimed that recent tensions within the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) were part of wider efforts to destabilise the ruling party and frustrate Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term in office.

Speaking on behalf of the group, the Coordinator of the assembly, Mohammed Aliyu Sanni, alleged that certain political actors were attempting to recreate the type of internal divisions that affected the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2015 elections.

According to Sanni, the crisis that contributed to Jonathan’s electoral defeat began with divisions within the Nigeria Governors’ Forum led at the time by former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

The group specifically accused some governors of allegedly trying to undermine the leadership of the Progressive Governors Forum currently chaired by Hope Uzodimma.

Sanni claimed that because efforts to allegedly pressure Uzodimma failed, attention shifted to Dapo Abiodun, whom he accused of working with other governors to initiate moves capable of destabilising the forum and weakening support for President Tinubu.

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The Arewa Youth Assembly also mentioned Peter Mbah among those it alleged were involved in political alignments against the APC leadership structure, though no evidence was publicly presented during the briefing.

According to the group, some governors allegedly attempted to announce the removal of Uzodimma as PGF chairman but were resisted by the majority of governors within the forum.

The youths further argued that support from northern governors for Uzodimma reflects a commitment to the existing power rotation understanding within the APC, which they say supports Tinubu completing two terms before power returns to the North in 2031.

The group also alleged the existence of “moles” within the APC who are dissatisfied with the Tinubu administration and are allegedly working against the President from within the party.

Drawing parallels with the internal crisis that affected the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sanni referenced the political role played by Nyesom Wike during disputes within the opposition party.

“In short, they want to play the Nyesom Wike card by weakening the internal mechanism of the APC the same way Wike did against the PDP,” he alleged.

The group subsequently issued a 48-hour ultimatum to those allegedly involved in the supposed plot, demanding an apology to President Tinubu, the Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Uzodimma, and the APC leadership.

It warned that failure to comply could trigger nationwide mobilisation of youths against the individuals accused of participating in the alleged “aborted palace coup.”

Political analysts, however, note that internal alignments, consultations, and strategic positioning have already begun quietly within major political parties ahead of the 2027 elections, despite official campaigns still being far away.

Observers also caution that allegations of internal sabotage and factional rivalry are common during periods of political succession planning and party restructuring in Nigeria.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the APC leadership nor the governors mentioned in the allegations had officially responded to the claims made by the Arewa Youth Assembly.

Arewa Youths Allege Plot to Destabilise APC, Block Tinubu’s Re-Election