A group under the aegis of the APC Legacy Grassroots Movement has announced plans to stage a nationwide protest on August 1, 2026, demanding the resignation or removal of the National Chairman, National Secretary, and the entire National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and signed by its Convener, Engr. Felix Akpoyibo, the group accused the party leadership of mismanaging the affairs of the ruling party and allowing governors who recently defected into the APC to hijack party structures across the country.
The group expressed concern that despite the APC controlling 31 of Nigeria’s 36 states, the party was facing internal discontent due to what it described as fraudulent primary elections, marginalisation of founding members, and disregard for agreed power-sharing arrangements.
Citing the recent APC senatorial primary in Abia Central, the movement alleged widespread irregularities, claiming that votes were allocated without proper elections being conducted in many wards. It further alleged that some aspirants were arbitrarily excluded while questionable results were announced by party officials.
The group accused the NWC of overseeing what it described as a systematic erosion of internal democracy within the party. According to the letter, the leadership failed to ensure transparent primaries and allegedly permitted the manipulation of party structures by influential political interests.
The APC Legacy Grassroots Movement also raised concerns over the implementation of a purported 60/40 power-sharing arrangement agreed upon in states where governors defected to the APC. The group claimed that while defecting governors were expected to control 60 percent of appointments and party structures, legacy APC members were to retain 40 percent. However, it alleged that governors had taken complete control, sidelining long-standing party loyalists.
The movement argued that the development had created resentment among grassroots members and contributed to growing dissatisfaction within the party. It further cited recent defections involving lawmakers and party members as evidence of deepening internal challenges.
The group called on President Tinubu to intervene by compelling the APC National Chairman and National Secretary to resign or face removal. It also urged the President to ensure enforcement of the alleged 60/40 formula and restore confidence among founding members of the party.
As part of its planned action, the movement said peaceful protests would be held simultaneously at the APC national headquarters in Abuja and across all state capitals on August 1. The protesters are expected to demand the dissolution of the NWC, an investigation into the conduct of the party primaries, and reforms aimed at strengthening internal democracy within the APC.
The group maintained that its action was intended to preserve the party and protect the interests of grassroots members who, it said, played a central role in building the APC into a national political force.
ANN Politics
Tags
Opinion