Losers, winners emerge in APC power play ahead of 2023

Governors under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform have already constituted themselves into a powerful bloc within the party as the national leadership of the party is now set to inaugurate chairmen who are loyal to the governors except in Kano State.

In Osun state, Governor Gboyega Oyetola seems to have checkmated his immediate predecessor in office, Rauf Aregbesola who is now the Minister of State Interior.

A Federal High Court in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Wednesday refused to recognise Aregbesola’s faction as the authentic one.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara state, according to sources has also edged out the Minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed in the state as the faction loyal to the governor was invited for the inauguration.

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In Ogun State where Governor Dapo Abiodun and his predecessor, Senator Amosun, control two separate factions, the APC headquarters seems to have recognised Abiodun’s loyalist, Chief Yemi Sanusi.

In Zamfara State where three factions are currently operating, it was learnt that the APC would inaugurate the faction loyal to Governor Bello Matawalle.

While the faction led by Senator Kabiru Marafa kicked against the development, former Governor Abdul’Aziz Yari’s faction did not respond to calls.

In Bauchi State, the national headquarters of the party recognises the faction led by the President’s ally and Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu. This implies that the faction led by the Ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Tugar; has lost out.

The Chairman of the faction loyal to Amb Tugar, Mr Sanusi Kunde, however, kicked against the action of the national leadership of the APC, insisting that the matter was still in court.

In Delta State where Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege and Keyamo have been engaged in a supremacy battle, it was learnt that the Omens Sobotie, the chairman loyal to Omo-Agege would be recognised by the APC.

But the faction led by Keyamo has concluded plans to storm the venue of the inauguration to demand that its own chairman be recognised.

In Kano, there was confusion as it was learnt on good authority that the national secretariat was insisting on recognising and inaugurating members of the APC loyal to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.