Jesutega Onokpasa, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 general elections, has raised concerns about internal conflicts and targeted actions within the ruling party.
In a recent video address, Onokpasa accused certain federal government officials and party members of conspiring against former governors Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State. He alleged that some individuals within the APC and Tinubu’s administration were undermining Bello and el-Rufai, despite their significant contributions to the president’s electoral victory.
Onokpasa criticized these officials for allegedly exploiting their positions of power to settle personal scores and marginalize key supporters of the president. “Seriously, what do we think we are doing to ourselves in this party? I think we all have to sit back and start reasoning deeply because right now, we are actually misbehaving. We are tearing ourselves apart while those in opposition are regrouping against us,” Onokpasa stated.
He further accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of bias and corruption in its treatment of Yahaya Bello, suggesting that political vendettas were influencing the commission’s actions. Onokpasa emphasized the loyalty of Bello and el-Rufai to the party and President Tinubu, stating, “Yahaya Bello and Nasir el-Rufai are our brothers, they stood with us when it mattered most. They stood with Asiwaju and I love them for doing that and I am not abandoning them.”
Onokpasa also mentioned that APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, was a victim of similar political vendettas. He warned that the APC’s internal conflicts could weaken the party and give an advantage to the opposition.
In his appeal, Onokpasa urged party members to unite and support President Tinubu’s efforts to address the country’s economic challenges. “I urge you all, my fellow progressives, my fellow genuine Batists, for us to keep supporting our president, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Stop scattering our party, stop tormenting our members, our brothers because you want to collect money from them,” he pleaded.
This statement underscores the growing internal tensions within the APC, highlighting the potential risks these conflicts pose to the party’s unity and effectiveness in governance.
