Safeguarding Diversity in APC Leadership:
There would not be murkier days ahead for the APC simply because the Chairman of the Convention was changed. Rather, what we are witnessing is a calculated move by the President to assert his independence and prevent the Governors from extending their dominance to the national level of the party. The Governors already wield near-total control within their states, and allowing them to replicate that grip at the center would risk narrowing the party’s leadership space and undermining its collective character.
I vehemently disagree with the narrative being peddled in some political and social media circuits that the change of the Governor of Imo State from the Chairmanship of the APC National Convention Coordination Committee, and his replacement with Rt. Honourable Aminu Masari, portends division in the party or signals murkier days ahead. On the contrary, this adjustment reflects a conscious effort to broaden participation and ensure that no single bloc monopolizes decision-making within the APC.
The APC is not a monolith; it is a coalition of diverse interests, ideologies, and constituencies. Its strength lies in this plurality. To permit any single bloc to hold the party hostage would be to betray the very foundation upon which it was built. The President’s decision, therefore, should be understood not as an act of defiance but as a safeguard against monopolization of power.
In a democracy, political parties thrive when decision-making is broad-based, inclusive, and reflective of their diversity. The APC must resist the temptation of sectional dominance and instead embrace a leadership ethos that values consensus and balance. This is the only way to preserve its national character and credibility.
Far from heralding instability, the change in the Convention’s leadership signals a commitment to internal democracy. It is a reminder that no bloc, however powerful, should be allowed to dictate the direction of a party that represents millions of Nigerians across different regions and backgrounds. If the APC is to remain relevant and resilient, it must continue to broaden its decision-making processes and ensure that every voice within its fold is heard.
In the end, the President’s move is not about weakening the party but about strengthening it. By curbing the overreach of Governors at the national level, he is reinforcing the principle that the APC belongs to all its members, not just to a privileged few. That is the path to unity, stability, and longevity for the party.
@ Okoi Obono-Obla
Leave a comment