We’ll Only Remain In APC If VP Shettima Retains Status In 2027-Former ANPP Members

Ahead of the 2027 general election, some members of the ruling APC, who were members of the defunct ANPP before ‘merger’ took place on February 6, 2013, have threatened to leave the party if the status quo is not maintained in respect of the party’s ‘presidential ticket’.

Recall that CPC, ACN and ANPP had joined together to become APC on February 6, 2013.

President Bola Tinubu was a member of the ACN while Vice President Kashim Shettima was a member of ANPP.

Team@orientactualmags.com learned that the former members of ANPP ,who have raised accusations against the ACN bloc, held a press conference under the umbrella of the Association of Former ANPP Members, and demanded inclusivity in the current administration.

National Coordinator of the group, Professor Vitalis Ajumbe, said the position of VP ‘remains sacrosanct for the ANPP bloc’ while also lamenting that they were treated badly under Late Muhammadu Buhari.

‘The presidential ticket you are serving will be disappointed if you choose another person outside the ANPP block in APC as your Vice President.

The Vice Presidential seat remains sacrosanct for the ANPP bloc as the second largest contributor to the formation of APC.

The ANPP bloc in APC suffered serious political marginalisation under late General Muhammadu Buhari for the eight years of his reign.

Late Muhammadu Buhari’s abandonment of ANPP where his political career started and where he twice secured presidential tickets was quite inhumane. He treated us like a club of political pariahs.

If politics is truly about equity, justice and fair play, members of the ANPP bloc in the APC should have been given sensitive positions as the second largest partner of the merger, but we were subjected to political redundancy’ he added.

 He also said the former ANPP members are still being unfairly treated under President Bola Tinubu.

 ‘When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was elected, we thought he would change the trend, but to our dismay, the situation is getting even worse under his ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ Ajumbe added.

The  former ANPP members have disclosed plans to begin state and zonal consultations in the coming weeks to brief members on the next course of action.

‘We may be tempted to seek greener political pastures elsewhere should the APC-led government of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu reject us’ he said.

Reacting to the threats made by the former ANPP members, APC Deputy National Organizing Secretary, Nze Duru, expressed disappointment noting that they didn’t follow the right channel.

 ‘I don’t think that party politics is a matter that is done on the basis of condition, which is ‘you either give it to me or I walk away’. It should also not be seen in the light of ‘my way or the highway’.

That is also not to suggest that the Office of the VP as it is today is up for grab. President Tinubu and his deputy have a cordial relationship. And they, of course, enjoy the comfort and confidence of each other.

 We must always remind ourselves that we are in a democracy. The office of the VP is not always on one ballot. It is the responsibility of the president to appoint or decide who he will like to be his vice president’ he said-Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08035023079,  08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you