There have been rumours that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is planning to replace its national chairman, Adamu Adamu, with a Christian in an effort to win over Christian voters who are unhappy with the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket.
Although APC governors vigorously opposed Adamu’s election in March, the former governor of Nasarawa State and current Senator was ultimately successful.
In the end, the governors and other regional leaders agreed on Tanko Al-Makura, a senator and a former governor of Nasarawa State.
Al-Makura’s rival at the time was George Akume, a current Minister and a former governor of Benue State.
It is believed that the governors have taken further steps to remove the national chairman and ensure the emergence of a Christian in his place in view of the hostility that has greeted the united ticket of Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima.
About three weeks following Adamu’s emergence, on April 20, 2022, the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) handed over all control to the National Working Committee, which was led by Adamu (NWC).
Because the 90-day power transfer deadline passed on July 22, 2022, an unexpected NEC meeting was called for the following month, in September.
The President typically presides over the party’s top decision-making body, known as the National Executive Committee (NEC).
A member of the NWC informed Daily Sun that discussions on a possible leadership change in the APC were already in high gear, even if some of the subjects on the agenda of the NEC meeting were shrouded in secret.
He said that although the rumored change wasn’t discussed during the NWC meeting on Tuesday, certain party officials had asked for clarification on recent events.
The credible source, who requested anonymity, expressed alarm over the ongoing financial audit, the unpaid salaries of personnel, and the party’s failure to satisfy other financial responsibilities.
He claimed that APC governors were concerned about the consequences of running a Muslim against another Muslim on the ballot, and had thus decided to appease Christians by changing the party’s official titles.
The North West Coalition member added that the plan is to replace Adamu with a Christian from one of the six North Central States. When pressed for details on when the adjustments could be made, he politely declined to provide any.
But, he claimed, that President Muhammadu Buhari had not been informed of the plans out of concern that he would not approve of them.
The governors and other leaders, the source added, are compiling a list of Adamu’s perceived sins that they will use to advocate for his resignation. He mentioned a few names that have been tossed about potential alternatives. He claimed that the most wanted person is a current minister in Buhari’s government.
He said, “Akume is Tinubu’s man,” and that “other acceptable names are being searched” to present to President Buhari for approval. I have no idea if Buhari will agree to the change.
If memory serves, Buhari was the one who pushed Adamu be selected. The President is also aware of the dissatisfaction among APC’s Christian leaders. It’s possible the President will sign off on it in the sake of unity and diversity.
Once NWC confirms the date of the NEC meeting, momentum will build behind these topics. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the party’s presidential nominee, backs any measure that will appease Christians.
It might be successful if Tinubu personally presents it to President Buhari. Adamu, as you may recall, was not a fan of Tinubu’s run for office. He declared Ahmad Lawan to be the APC’s consensus presidential candidate without the support of NWC.
To paraphrase, “Tinubu didn’t like it and he has expressed his discontent with governors and other party leaders on numerous occasions. Despite not having requested Adamu’s successor, he will not object to it being made.
But Tinubu has had nothing to do with this initiative. Yet, he won’t say no to anything that improves his presidential election chances for the next year, he explained.
According to the member of the APC NWC, there were also claims that Adamu-led NWC did not quickly reach out to disgruntled party leaders following the primaries.
The press coverage of APC is terrible. Has been receiving negative buzz on Twitter and elsewhere online.
Whenever one of our members speaks up in defense of the party or the presidential candidate, the media responds negatively. We appreciate any information that can alter the story’s trajectory.
The Electoral Act’s passage into law, as these governors well know, marks a major shift in the political landscape. What happened in Osun was plain to see. There was a loss at the governorship for an incumbent. The PDP was successful despite Tinubu’s presence.
The new Electoral Law marks the end of the period of rigging. Buying votes will not ensure victory at the polls. That was observable in Osun.
Sad to say, “the APC leadership is too laid back.”
Concerned about the consequences of running a Muslim against another Muslim on the same ticket, APC governors have decided to appease Christians by changing the party’s official titles.
For his part, Bola Ahmed Tinubu backs any action that will appease Christians.
Nothing will be off-limits if it improves his chances of being elected president next year.
The President is aware that some of the APC’s Christian leaders are dissatisfied. It’s possible the President will sign off on it if doing so will promote unity and diversity.