The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is considering the dissolution of the party’s executive committees in Benue and Ondo states. The proposed move comes as the national leadership seeks to address concerns over anti-party activities as the party begins strategic groundwork for the 2027 general elections.
The NWC’s deliberation suggests a desire to prune the party’s state structures to ensure loyalty and cohesion. Dissolving state executives is a common mechanism used by the APC national leadership to resolve internal frictions or remove officials perceived as working against the party’s core interests.
However, the state chapters in question have pushed back against the reports. The Ondo APC has stated there is no reason to dissolve its executive committee, while the Benue APC claims it is unaware of any such proposal by the national leadership.
In Ondo State, party officials expressed confidence in their current structure, maintaining that the executive committee is functioning effectively. They argued that any disruption to the state’s leadership at this stage could create unnecessary instability within the party’s ranks in the region.
Similarly, the Benue APC leadership maintained that they have not received any formal communication from the NWC regarding a potential dissolution. The state party indicated that it remains committed to the APC’s objectives and continues to operate within the party’s guidelines.
Managing Party Cohesion for 2027
The friction between the NWC and state executives often arises from power struggles between governors and party chairmen or the emergence of rival factions. In the Nigerian political context, anti-party activities—which include supporting candidates from opposition parties or sabotaging internal party processes—are treated as serious offences that can lead to suspension or expulsion.
If the NWC proceeds with the dissolution, the standard procedure involves the appointment of a caretaker committee. This interim body is typically tasked with managing party affairs and organising fresh elections to produce a new executive committee. This process is often used to “reset” the party structure and align state leadership with the goals of the national headquarters.
The timing of this consideration is critical. With the 2027 elections on the horizon, the APC is keen to avoid the kind of fragmentation that has previously plagued its state chapters during primary seasons. The national leadership is prioritising a unified front to ensure electoral viability in key states.
The NWC is expected to conclude its review of the state chapters following further consultations with party stakeholders. The final decision will determine whether the current executives in Benue and Ondo remain in office or if the party will install caretaker committees to oversee the transition.
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