Nigeria's APC Faces Internal Crises as Corruption Allegations and Electoral Reform Debates Intensify
The ruling All Progressives Congress confronts governance challenges as it demands Osun Governor Adeleke's resignation over alleged N13.7 billion payroll fraud, while internal disputes erupt in Ondo and Ogun states amid broader national debates on electoral transparency.
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Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is navigating multiple governance and internal organizational crises, as corruption allegations against opposition governors converge with intra-party disputes and renewed civil society pressure for electoral reforms.
The APC on Friday called for the resignation of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke following revelations of an alleged annual N13.7 billion payroll fraud under his administration. According to The Nation Newspaper, the party's demand represents an escalation in political tensions between the ruling party and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which controls Osun State. The allegations center on irregularities in the state's payroll system, though specific details of the alleged fraud mechanism have not been publicly disclosed. Governor Adeleke, who has not yet responded to the resignation demand, has faced scrutiny over financial management since assuming office.
The corruption allegations come as the APC grapples with significant internal turbulence in its southwestern strongholds. In Ondo State, the party's political structure has been "profoundly unsettled" following events on February 17, according to analysis in The Nation Newspaper. While specific details of the disruption remain unclear, stakeholders convened meetings to address the organizational challenges threatening party cohesion in a state the APC currently governs.
Similarly, in neighboring Ogun State, the APC Ward Congress Appeal Committee and Ogun East stakeholders have engaged in public disputes over petition handling. The Nation Newspaper reported conflicting claims between the Appeal Committee, which stated no petitions were received concerning ward congress proceedings, and stakeholders who insist submissions were made. The disagreement highlights procedural tensions within the party's internal democratic processes and raises questions about transparency in grassroots party organization.
Beyond the APC's internal challenges, Nigeria's broader political landscape is confronting renewed debates over electoral integrity. The Civil Society Situation Room has condemned the recent presidential assent to legislation making real-time electronic transmission of election results non-mandatory for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This Day reported that the civil society coalition is planning fresh protests against the decision, which critics argue undermines electoral transparency.
Engr. Felix Adesola Adegboye, the 22nd President and Chairman-in-Council of the Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE), has weighed into the technical debate. Speaking with The Nation Newspaper, Adegboye addressed the feasibility of real-time election result transmission, suggesting that implementation depends on specific conditions, though the full details of his technical assessment were not elaborated in available reports.
The electoral reform controversy has also energized smaller political parties positioning themselves for the 2027 general elections. The Coalition for Good Governance (CGG) has urged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to zone its presidential ticket to Southern Nigeria, warning that failure to do so could undermine the party's electoral prospects. This Day reported that the coalition insisted "anything" contrary to southern zoning would be unacceptable, reflecting ongoing regional power-sharing debates that have characterized Nigerian politics since the return to democracy in 1999.
The convergence of corruption allegations, internal party disputes, and electoral reform debates presents significant challenges for Nigeria's political establishment. The APC's ability to manage internal cohesion while prosecuting corruption allegations against opposition figures will test the party's organizational strength ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle. Meanwhile, civil society organizations appear determined to maintain pressure on electoral transparency issues despite recent legislative setbacks.
As Nigeria approaches the midpoint of President Bola Tinubu's first term, these governance and political challenges underscore persistent questions about institutional integrity, party discipline, and electoral credibility. How political actors respond to these intersecting crises may significantly shape the competitive landscape for upcoming gubernatorial elections and the 2027 presidential contest. The outcome of the Osun payroll fraud allegations and the resolution of APC internal disputes in southwestern states will likely serve as early indicators of the party's organizational resilience and governance credibility heading into the next electoral season.