The state chairmen of the Allied Peoples Movement in the South-East have rejected the appointment of zonal and state coordinators for the Seyi Makinde/Lawal Daura presidential campaign, accusing the arrangement of sidelining recognised party executives.
The chairmen of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states said they remained committed to Makinde’s presidential ambition and the party’s RESET Nigeria agenda but opposed campaign structures established without adequate consultation with the state leadership.
Their position was contained in a communiqué read by the Enugu State APM Chairman, Ken Ikeh, at a press conference in Abuja on Sunday.
The document was signed by Victor Umunna of Abia, Uzochukwu Eminent of Anambra, Ohakam Kate of Ebonyi, Ikeh of Enugu and Clinton Edoziem of Imo.
The disagreement comes as the Makinde/Daura campaign organisation builds its nationwide mobilisation structure ahead of the January 2027 presidential election.
The campaign organisation announced six zonal coordinators on October 1, including Sir Obi Okechukwu for the South-East. It later announced the appointment of state directors on October 14.
Chairmen cite internal democracy
In their communiqué, the South-East chairmen argued that creating parallel leadership structures could weaken the party’s existing organisation and generate avoidable friction among its members.
“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,” the statement said.
They maintained that appointments made without consulting the relevant state chairmen were inconsistent with internal democracy, collective responsibility and respect for established party structures.
The chairmen warned that parallel campaign arrangements could create confusion, encourage rivalry and undermine the unity needed for a successful presidential campaign.
They stressed that their objection did not amount to a withdrawal of support for Makinde’s candidacy, insisting that their commitment to the campaign should be matched by respect for the responsibilities of existing state executives.
Demand handover of campaign materials
The five chairmen appealed to Makinde and the APM national leadership to dissolve the state coordinatorship structures they oppose.
They also demanded that campaign resources intended for mobilisation in their respective states be handed over to the state chairmen for distribution and use.
The requested materials include vehicles, branded campaign equipment, publicity items and other logistical resources.
According to the communiqué, recognised state executives are better positioned to deploy the resources strategically and in line with the political and organisational needs of their states.
The demand extends the disagreement beyond appointments and leadership authority to the management of campaign resources.
Warn of possible withdrawal
The chairmen called on APM National Leader Senator Bala Mohammed and Makinde to intervene urgently and resolve the dispute.
They warned that allowing the arrangements to continue could heighten tensions, weaken organisational cohesion and affect the campaign’s progress in the South-East.
The communiqué also warned that the chairmen could reconsider their participation in the current campaign arrangement if their concerns were not addressed immediately and satisfactorily.
“We unequivocally state that, should these grievances not be addressed immediately and satisfactorily, the undersigned state chairmen may be compelled to reconsider their continued participation in the present campaign arrangement and take further appropriate decisions in the collective political interest of their respective states and the South-East geopolitical zone,” they said.
The statement did not announce a formal withdrawal of support for Makinde or the APM presidential ticket. Instead, it set out conditions under which the chairmen said they might reconsider their involvement in the campaign’s current structure.
The disagreement presents an organisational challenge for the APM as its presidential campaign seeks to establish a coordinated presence across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
A response from Makinde and the APM national leadership to the communiqué was not included in the statement provided.
