ABUJA: President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday hosted the first national caucus meeting of his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. This gathering marked a significant moment in the party’s internal dynamics, as it was the first caucus meeting since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.
The event was seen as a crucial step in ensuring cohesion within the party, particularly as it came ahead of the scheduled National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting the following day. The NEC meeting, which holds considerable influence in shaping the direction of the party, was expected to build on the discussions initiated at the caucus meeting.
Among the key figures who attended the caucus meeting were APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje; Vice President Kashim Shettima; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; House Speaker Abbas Tajudeen; various APC governors; National Working Committee members; and other prominent party leaders.
The gathering was an important occasion for the party to align on policies, strategy, and leadership as the ruling party looks ahead to the remainder of Tinubu’s term in office.
The APC, which has been in power since 2015, has faced growing internal challenges in recent times, including concerns about the lack of internal democracy. Some of the party’s chieftains have raised alarm over the way decisions are made, questioning the inclusiveness of the process and the transparency of leadership within the party.
Notably, former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai and ex-National Vice Chairman Salihu Lukman have both expressed dissatisfaction with the internal functioning of the APC. El-Rufai and Lukman’s concerns centered around the centralization of decision-making and the marginalization of key stakeholders within the party.
These issues of internal democracy have the potential to cause friction within the APC, especially as the party approaches important elections and seeks to maintain its dominance in the Nigerian political landscape.
El-Rufai, a respected figure within the APC, has been a vocal critic of what he perceives as a lack of genuine internal discussions and debates, which are essential for a democratic party structure.
His concerns reflect a broader feeling among some party members that decisions, especially at the leadership level, have been made in a top-down manner, rather than through a more consultative and inclusive process.
Similarly, Salihu Lukman, who has also held important positions within the APC, expressed frustration over what he sees as the diminishing influence of party organs, which should ideally be the body responsible for the formulation of policies and the selection of candidates.
These internal criticisms are not merely isolated complaints but reflect a wider concern about the future cohesion of the APC.
For a party that has faced numerous challenges in the past, including issues of factionalism and defections, ensuring internal unity is paramount. The party’s ability to maintain a united front, particularly in the lead-up to the 2027 elections, will be crucial for its continued success.
It is likely that the meeting hosted by President Tinubu served as a platform to address these concerns. By bringing together influential party figures, the hope was that such discussions would help resolve some of the internal divisions that have emerged.
The presence of key APC figures such as Vice President Shettima, Senate President Akpabio, and Speaker Tajudeen also highlighted the importance of party unity across all branches of government.
The APC is now tasked with navigating these internal challenges and ensuring that the party remains strong and united. As President Tinubu continues to lead, managing party dynamics and fostering an inclusive decision-making process will be critical to the APC’s future stability and electoral success.
The party must also reconcile the concerns about internal democracy to avoid alienating key stakeholders and party members who could undermine its cohesion. The outcomes of both the caucus and the forthcoming NEC meeting will likely offer a clearer picture of the party’s direction in the coming months.
