A fresh leadership crisis has broken out at the Kaduna state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the emergence of a splinter group known as APC Akida.
The new group which has the backing of the Senator representing Kaduna Central Zone, Shehu Sani, who was suspended by the party for 11 months for alleged anti-party activities, operates outside the party’s secretariat.
At a news conference organised by its convener, Tom Maiyashi, the group accused the State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, of side lining members of the party and citizens of the state in the scheme of things.
They say they are not comfortable with the leadership style of the State Governor in terms of appointments and political patronage, and have therefore decided to form another platform within the party.
Mr Maiyashi stated that the new group which would soon announce its leaders at all levels in the state, will be a platform for members of the APC to work for the progress of the party in the state.
The aggrieved members also alleged that the current structures in the party do not function in a manner prescribed by its constitution.
Reacting to the emergence of the new group in the party, the Acting Secretary of the APC in the state, Yahaya Pate and Publicity Secretary, Salisu Wusono, said that there is only APC in the state.
They also warned that the party will not tolerate any act of indiscipline by members or any group, warning those behind the emergence of the new group to desist or face severe sanction.
At a town hall meeting in Giwa Local Government, Governor El-Rufai dismissed the allegations levelled against him by the group.
Instead, he accused them of trying to destabilize the party for their selfish interest.
He maintained that members of the group did not work for the victory of APC in the 2015 elections, and therefore, were not in a position to hold the party or the process of change to ransom just because of their personal interests.
