President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's recent ministerial appointments have left members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in shock and disappointment. The exclusion of prominent party members who worked tirelessly for the government's success in the elections has caused widespread discontent among the ranks.
One particular appointment that has sparked controversy is that of Mr. Bosun Tijjani, a staunch supporter of the "EndSARS" movement and member of the Labour Party. This decision has received backlash from various quarters within the party.
Another surprising move was the appointment of Mr. Nyesom Wike, a former Rivers state governor and member of the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP). While some party members argue that Wike's nomination is justified due to his role in securing victory for the APC in Rivers state, others have raised concerns about his allegiance to the opposition.
The absence of influential figures such as Hon. Abiodun Faleke, Bayo Onanuga, Femi Fani Kayode, and many others who played pivotal roles in the party's success has also disappointed party loyalists across the board. Their exclusion from ministerial positions has further deepened the frustration.
Adding to the tension is the case of former Kaduna state governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, whose nomination and subsequent failed screening process has left party members puzzled and disheartened.
To exacerbate matters, the recent nominations to the highly coveted Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board have caused even more discontent. Party faithfuls are lamenting the continuous neglect of members in favor of opposition candidates for these lucrative positions.
The appointments of Hon. Victor Kolade as Ondo state representative and Dr. Asu Oka Okang as Cross River State representative on the NDDC board have been met with condemnation and rejection by their respective state chapters of the APC. Many members are threatening to fight against this perceived injustice and the ongoing neglect of party loyalists, as well as the prioritization of opposition members in government appointments under the Tinubu administration.
The party's stakeholders fear that this recurring pattern of being used and then discarded, combined with a poor reward system, is becoming a disturbing tradition within the APC. They warn that if left unchecked, these actions could have catastrophic consequences for the party's future success in upcoming elections.
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