A fresh power struggle is brewing within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as governors elected on the party’s platform are reportedly scheming to “get their pound of flesh” from senators and members of the House of Representatives over what they perceive as betrayal on recent amendments to the Electoral Act and other grievances.
According to reports, the simmering cold war between APC governors and federal lawmakers from their respective states escalated over the weekend after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hinted at his desire to see the return of most APC lawmakers to the 10th National Assembly.
Speaking during an interfaith breaking of fast with members of the 10th House of Representatives, led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas at the State House, the President openly expressed support for legislative continuity. “I appreciate the impressive turnout, and this shows the spirit of unity. You spoke very well as a team leader; you are a very good leader”, Tinubu said, adding that: “I will do everything within our party’s power. In several constituencies, there are rotational arrangements. I wish that everyone would return”.
The comment reportedly unsettled several governors, particularly those nursing plans to replace federal lawmakers with loyalists ahead of the 2027 general elections. House Speaker Abbas had earlier canvassed support for the return of lawmakers to the 11th National Assembly, lamenting that when up to 80 per cent of members fail to return after elections, it undermines legislative continuity.
According to the report, sources disclosed that governors under the umbrella of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) are planning to meet Tinubu before his scheduled trip to the United Kingdom next week. A senior party source described the President’s statement as “an unusual declaration that caught the governors unawares”. According to the insider, the governors are expected to hold a preparatory meeting before seeing the President, with possible concessions forming a major item on their agenda. “Details of the concessions are still being worked out”, the source said.
The friction is not uniform across all states. Some governors, especially those seeking second terms, are said to be pushing to replace most federal lawmakers from their states as part of a broader strategy to influence the composition of the 11th NASS. The struggle reportedly intensified about ten months ago and reached a critical point last week when the PGF was said to have tipped its chairman and Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, as a possible successor to Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Party insiders suggest that the unfolding contest is ultimately about control of legislative leadership and influence within the party structure.
