A fresh wave of internal discord has rocked the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the rejection of former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola’s appointment as National Secretary by a faction of the Action Democratic Congress (ADC), a bloc within the ruling party.
The ADC faction, in a statement released on Tuesday, categorically dismissed Aregbesola’s appointment, citing procedural breaches and alleging that due process was not followed by the party’s national leadership.
“The purported appointment of Rauf Aregbesola lacks legitimacy and does not reflect the collective will of the party’s stakeholders,” the group said in the statement signed by its spokesperson, Barr. Musa Lawal. “This is a clear attempt to impose leadership without consultation or adherence to constitutional provisions.”
The group argued that the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) failed to conduct proper consultations with all interest groups within the party before announcing Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State, as the new secretary.
The rejection underscores growing internal tensions in the APC, as factions jostle for influence ahead of key electoral cycles. Sources within the party revealed that the ADC faction has been pushing for broader inclusion and transparency in party decisions, warning that ignoring internal dissent could destabilize the party’s cohesion.
Aregbesola, a prominent ally of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has yet to respond publicly to the rejection. However, party insiders say top APC officials are engaging in behind-the-scenes talks to resolve the rift before it escalates.
Political analysts warn that continued intra-party conflicts could harm the APC’s unity and electoral fortunes, particularly in the southwestern states where Aregbesola commands significant grassroots support.
As of press time, the APC national leadership had not issued an official response to the ADC faction’s declaration.
