APC faces backlash over revised National Assembly tickets

As the All Progressives Congress (APC) grapples with internal power struggles, former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam finds himself on the receiving end of a revised National Assembly ticket. Suswam's exclusion marks the latest casualty in a battle for supremacy within the party, one that has left at least 26 aspirants in the lurch. The APC's revised list, driven by pressure from state governors and influential party leaders, has sparked resistance from its Abia chapter and fueled a court battle over the Delta South senatorial ticket. At stake is the future of these aspirants, whose hopes of representing their constituencies now hang in the balance.

The APC's revised list affects candidates in seven senatorial districts and 19 House of Representatives constituencies across nine states. The changes, approved by the party's National Working Committee (NWC), have seen several winners of the primaries replaced. In Benue State, Gabriel Suswam's exclusion has been attributed to the supremacy battle between Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia. Similarly, in Ebonyi State, the rapprochement between Governor Francis Nwifuru and Minister of Works, David Umahi, reportedly cost Iduma Igariwey Enwo his return to the House of Representatives. The revised list has been forwarded to INEC in a joint letter signed by APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatd a and National Secretary Ajibola Basiru.

The APC's internal power struggles have been brewing for some time, with state governors and influential party leaders exerting pressure on the party leadership to revise the outcome of several National Assembly primaries. The party's National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, has defended the changes, citing the recommendation of the Primary Election Appeal Committee after it reviewed petitions arising from the recently concluded party primaries. However, the move has sparked resistance from the party's Abia chapter, which has vowed to challenge the changes in court. The court battle over the Delta South senatorial ticket is evidence of the deep-seated divisions within the party.

The APC's internal power struggles are reflective of a broader trend within Nigerian politics. The increasing influence of state governors and influential party leaders in shaping the party's direction is a worrying sign for democracy. The Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) and INEC's regulations and guidelines are meant to ensure a level playing field for all aspirants, but the APC's actions suggest that these rules are being selectively applied to serve the interests of a select few. This trend has far-reaching implications for the country's democratic process and the future of its political parties.

As the APC continues to grapple with its internal power struggles, it is likely that the party will face further backlash from its members and the wider public. The court battle over the Delta South senatorial ticket is likely to drag on, and the party's Abia chapter may not be the only one to challenge the changes in court. In the long term, the APC's actions may have unintended consequences for the party's chances in the upcoming elections. With the party's internal divisions showing no signs of abating, it remains to be seen whether the APC can put its house in order before the next election.

As the APC navigates this treacherous terrain, one thing is clear: the party's internal power struggles will continue to have far-reaching implications for Nigerian politics and democracy. The future of Gabriel Suswam and other aspirants who have been affected by the revised list hangs in the balance, and the party's actions will be closely watched by the public and the media.