Former members of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), which merged into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), have alleged marginalisation and exclusion from the ruling party.
Rising from a leadership meeting yesterday in Abuja, the members under the the aegis of Association of Former ANPP Members, led by its national coordinator, Prof. Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe, expressed frustration over what they described as a consistent sidelining of their bloc within the APC since the merger in 2013.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Ajumbe recounted how the ANPP, alongside the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), formed the APC with the intent of dislodging the then ruling PDP and delivering good governance to Nigerians.
He lamented that despite being a major contributor to the merger and having produced three governors at the time, the ANPP bloc has been politically neglected.
According to Ajumbe, “The ANPP bloc in APC suffered serious political marginalization under the eight-year rule of former President Late Muhammadu Buhari, who ironically began his political journey in ANPP and flew its presidential flag twice.”
He added that despite the election of President Bola Tinubu—whom the bloc initially believed would correct the imbalance—“the situation is even getting worse under his renewed hope agenda.”
The association listed key demands, including: Immediate Political Inclusion – Appointment of former ANPP members as ministers, ambassadors, board chairmen, and heads of government agencies.
Vice Presidential Slot Reserved for ANPP Bloc in 2027 – In what they described as a matter of equity, the group insists the Vice Presidential ticket in the 2027 elections must remain with the ANPP bloc.
Presidential Succession in 2031 – The group urged President Tinubu to support the emergence of a candidate from the ANPP bloc as his successor when his tenure ends in 2031.
Ajumbe noted that prominent political figures within the bloc, such as Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governors Babagana Zulum and Mai Mala Buni, as well as several former governors and senators, have all contributed immensely to the APC but continue to face political redundancy.
He warned that continued exclusion of their members could force the bloc to reconsider its membership in the APC.
“We may be tempted to seek greener political pastures elsewhere should the APC-led government led by Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu continue to reject us,” Ajumbe stated.
The group announced plans to begin zonal and state-level meetings to brief its members on the situation and strategize on the way forward.
The APC has yet to respond to the claims as of press time.
