President Tinubu’s Allies, Oshiomhole Battle For APC Soul With Governors

In a bid to water down the influence of governors in the All Progressives Congress (APC), allies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have kick-started moves to wrest control of the ruling party

Naija News gathered that this has pitched Tinubu’s men against some governors and former governors like Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and former Cross River governor Ben Ayade.

It was gathered that some key allies of the President were plotting to hijack the party from the firm grip of the governors. The latest development is the replacement of vacant positions in the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC.

Recall that Yahaya Bello had stormed the APC secretariat with his supporters, plotting to disrupt the inauguration of the anointed officers from Kogi, comprising the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, and the now replaced Zonal Organising Secretary (North Central Zone), Ikani Okolo.

It was gathered that Meseko and Okolo were backed by James Faleke, a close ally of Tinubu, to take over those positions after they became vacant.

A source told Saturday Sun: “After a rigorous meeting with key stakeholders, the party resolved that Kogi State governor, Bello, should nominate a candidate for the position of Zonal Organising Secretary (North Central), who is to replace the earlier nominated, Shuaibu Okolo.

“The nomination of Duro Meseko, who is also nominated to serve as the Deputy National Publicity Secretary earlier by James Faleke, stands.”

In the South-South, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a close ally of President Tinubu, has reportedly hijacked the party structure.

Despite having other members of NWC from Edo State, Oshiomhole is said to have grabbed the position of the National Women Leader of APC from Cross River State.

Party stakeholders had thought the current Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, would nominate the new National Women Leader of APC from Cross River following her appointment by President Tinubu.

But Oshiomhole, like other close allies of Tinubu, selected her replacement from Edo.

According to the platform, many APC governors are uncomfortable with the new development and may meet with President Tinubu soon to lodge an official complaint.

A source disclosed that the governors are worried that strategic placements of Tinubu’s men may soon affect their firm grip on the party ahead of key elections coming up later in the year.

He said Tinubu might be worried that if the control of the party is left in the hands of governors, he might run into trouble during crucial elections soon.

He added that, unlike former President Muhammadu Buhari, the APC would be well funded by President Tinubu, and the NWC of the party may not have to kowtow to governors to survive.

“Tinubu faced great difficulties in securing the ticket of the party. In fact, governors decided the fate of Tinubu, and he knows what that cost him. He doesn’t want a repeat of that.

“That’s why he’s already taking over the structure of the party. Since he can’t do that openly, he’s using his allies to achieve that. Tinubu is also targeting states where their governors appear to be ambitious and didn’t fully support him.

“As long as Tinubu remains the President, he will not relinquish the control of the ruling party. People need to understand that. Tinubu has seen the dangers in allowing governors to control the party,” the source said.