The five South-East state chairmen of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) have demanded the dissolution of state coordinatorship structures established for the proposed Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Council, warning that they may reconsider their participation in the campaign if their grievances are not addressed.
The chairmen, who insisted that the party’s recognised leadership structures must be respected, said the appointment of zonal and state coordinators without adequate consultation could undermine internal democracy, create competing centres of authority and weaken the party’s electoral prospects.
They stated their position in a communiqué issued after their meeting in Abuja on Sunday and read at a press conference by the Enugu State Chairman of the party, Barr. Ken Ikeh.
The communiqué, signed by the chairmen of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states, stressed that their opposition to the campaign structure did not amount to a rejection of the presidential project or the RESET NIGERIA AGENDA.
“Notwithstanding our support for the presidential ambition of our party and our commitment to the RESET NIGERIA AGENDA, we hereby express our strongest objection to the appointment or imposition of zonal and state coordinators for the Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Council in a manner that sidelines or usurps the responsibilities of the duly recognised State Chairmen and established party structures,” they said.
They argued that the creation of parallel structures, particularly without adequate consultation with the relevant state chairmen, was inconsistent with the principles of internal democracy and collective responsibility.
“It is therefore counterproductive to establish parallel structures that could create confusion, undermine existing leadership, encourage unnecessary rivalry, and weaken the unity required for a successful presidential campaign,” the communiqué stated.
Consequently, the chairmen appealed to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, whom they described as the party’s presidential flagbearer, and the APM national leadership to review and dissolve the state coordinatorship structures wherever they duplicate or displace the authority of recognised state chairmen.
“We submit that the most effective way to build a formidable presidential campaign organisation is to strengthen the existing party structures rather than create competing levels of authority,” they stated.
The dispute also extends to the distribution of campaign resources, with the chairmen demanding that vehicles, branded campaign equipment, publicity materials, logistical resources and other mobilisation items be made available to them for distribution and use in their respective states.
They maintained that recognised state party structures were better positioned to deploy such resources strategically and transparently in line with local political realities.
“We maintain that campaign resources are most effective when entrusted to recognised party structures that possess the capacity to deploy them strategically, transparently, and in accordance with the peculiar needs of each state,” they said.
The chairmen also appealed to Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, whom they described as the party’s national leader, and Makinde to intervene urgently to resolve the disagreement.
They expressed concern that continued operation of parallel campaign structures could generate unnecessary tension and undermine the party’s organisational cohesion at a critical stage of its political mobilisation.
Warning that their support for the presidential project should not be interpreted as acceptance of the disputed arrangement, the chairmen said they might be compelled to reconsider their participation if the leadership failed to address their concerns.
