Former National Chairman of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has revealed that a faction of former state governors within the party opposed his continuation in the role, fearing he would impose former party leader Bola Tinubu as the 2023 presidential candidate. Oshiomhole made the disclosure during an interview on News Central’s “60 Minutes with Mr. Kay.”
According to Oshiomhole, his tenure was characterised by a strict adherence to party constitution and the conduct of transparent primaries, a stance that clashed with the preferences of certain powerful members. He stated that some governors directly expressed their concern, saying they had no personal issue with him but believed his leadership would lead to an imposed presidential candidate.
A key point of contention was his enforcement of party rules against alleged violations. Oshiomhole cited the example of the then governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun. He explained that Amosun conducted parallel governorship primaries in 2019, which the Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) refused to recognise, instead upholding the results of the APC-sanctioned primaries that produced Dapo Abiodun as the party’s candidate.
Furthermore, Oshiomhole alleged that Amosun subsequently sponsored candidates for state elections under a different party platform, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and actively campaigned against the APC. Following an investigation and his failure to answer a query, the NWC suspended Amosun in line with the party constitution.
Oshiomhole framed the conflict as a fundamental difference in political philosophy. He described his background in labour activism as one rooted in “real democratic foundation,” where decisions are based on constitutional numbers rather than personal strength or influence. He contrasted this with what he described as an expectation from some governors for him to adopt their own style of operation.
“People wanted me to adopt their style and I can’t borrow your style,” Oshiomhole said. He added that his actions were guided by principle, not personal ambition, noting that outcomes in life are ultimately determined by “what God has willed.”
The revelations shed light on the intense internal dynamics within the APC ahead of the 2023 elections. Oshiomhole’s account suggests that fears over the centralisation of candidate selection and resistance to perceived impositions were significant factors in the behind-the-scenes manoeuvring that led to his eventual replacement as national chairman. His narrative underscores the recurring tension between national party leadership and powerful state-level factions over control of the party’s electoral machinery and ticket allocations.
