Politics
APC Governors Call For Collaboration To Tackle Nigerian Cash Crisis
Amidst the ongoing cash crisis and controversy surrounding the naira redesign policy, All Progressives Congress (APC) governors held a crucial meeting with the party leadership in Abuja to discuss the situation and find a resolution.
At the important meeting held on Sunday at the national headquarters of the All Progressives Congress, no less than 10 governors were in attendance.
The meeting was between the state chief executives and the National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
This significant gathering took place just one week before the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for Saturday, February 25th.
Several governors, including Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Simon Lalong (Plateau), and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), as well as members of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were present at the meeting.
However, the absence of several governors, including Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), and most of their counterparts in the South, was noted.
In addition to the aforementioned attendees, representatives from the governors of Imo and Katsina states were also present.
The party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, later joined the meeting at 4.45pm.
Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, addressed journalists before the closed-door meeting on Sunday, stating that the meeting was important and an emergency.
He said “it is my privilege to welcome you to this important and emergency meeting. We have found a situation where there is a pressing need to get together as standard bearers of our states in Nigeria who were elected on the platforms of our great party, the APC.
The programme’s agenda included ‘Interactions’ and ‘Preparations for the general election,’ but according to Senator Abdullahi Adamu’s speech, the discussion also covered the current friction between the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and some aggrieved governors over the naira redesign policy.
Over the last four weeks, this policy has caused considerable hardship for many Nigerians.
Contrary to an order of the Supreme Court that the Federal Government should suspend the February 10 deadline for swapping the old naira notes with new ones, the Central Bank of Nigeria refused to shift the deadline.
The apex court order followed a suit filed by Zamfara, Kogi and Kaduna state governments against the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
States including Lagos, Ondo, Ekiti, Kano, Sokoto, Ogun and Cross River have also joined the suit as co-plaintiffs.
The situation was further exacerbated by the President’s declaration that only the old N200 should co-exist with the new naira notes. This policy has caused significant hardship for many Nigerians, with the recent protests being an expression of their frustration.
Following the President’s broadcast, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State addressed the people of his state, stating that the directive to reintroduce only the old N200 banknote was wrong and not a viable solution to curb the cash crunch in the country.
An angry Governor El-Rufai did not mince words during his address to the people of his state. He stated that the old N1,000 and N500 notes were still legal tenders in Kaduna state, and that the aim of the naira redesign was to scuttle the general election and pave the way for an interim government.
Following the conclusion of the APC NWC and governors’ meeting, which ended at 7:15 pm, journalists were invited into the venue, where the chairman addressed them regarding the outcome of the discussion.
During his address to journalists after the meeting, Senator Abdullahi Adamu lamented that while the naira redesign was a good move, the timing and pain it had caused Nigerians made it necessary for both the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, to avoid misleading the President.
He said, “I’m sure you are quite aware of the fact that a meeting comprising the APC governors was held today and the leadership of the NWC of our great party was summoned.
“We had a discussion and at the end of the discussion, we have resolved as follows: That this resolution is without prejudice or whatsoever to the case that is lying at the Supreme Court at this point in time. This has to do with the issue of currency redesign.
“That the meeting is urging his Excellency, Mr President, to intervene in resolving issues that are causing this great difficulties to the economy,”
According to reports, during the meeting, many of the governors present expressed their opinion that there was a need to urge the President to obey the court order.
According to a report, Governor Bagudu of Kebbi state, who spoke first after the chairman’s opening address, rallied other governors and the APC NWC to reject the CBN policy during the meeting.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dan Ulasi, has warned that the party stands little chance of defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections if Nyesom Wike continues to play a leading role while allegedly supporting the ruling government.
Ulasi, who spoke during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, expressed deep concern over what he described as a “contradictory situation” within the PDP, stressing that such internal inconsistencies could weaken the party’s credibility and chances at the polls.
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“I don’t see my party as presently constituted challenging Tinubu with Wike as national leader,” Ulasi said, warning that he may be forced to leave the party if the issue is not addressed.
The PDP stalwart argued that Wike cannot effectively serve as a leader in the opposition while maintaining close ties with President Tinubu, describing the situation as “unconstructive” for a party seeking to reclaim power at the national level.
He further questioned what role Wike would play if another candidate emerges as the PDP’s presidential flag-bearer ahead of the 2027 election, asking whether the former Rivers State governor would actively participate in party rallies or align with the ruling party’s activities.
Ulasi warned that the party’s next meeting could be his last if its leadership fails to provide satisfactory explanations, insisting that he cannot continue to be part of a process riddled with contradictions.
In a related development, Ulasi revealed that Peter Obi had visited him several times this year, including a recent meeting following an appearance in Enugu.
He spoke positively about Obi’s vision for Nigeria, noting that the former presidential candidate offers a sense of hope for the country’s future, although he stopped short of declaring any political alignment.
Reflecting on his longstanding ties to the PDP, Ulasi recalled his role during the party’s formation alongside late former Vice-President Alex Ekueme and other founding members.
Despite his deep connection to the party, he maintained that he would rather step aside than remain in a system he considers inconsistent.
He added that if he eventually exits the PDP, he has no plans to join another political party, stating that he would instead operate as a private consultant.
There was tension within the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday after former Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, alleged that he was barred from attending a stakeholders’ meeting of the party held in Ijebu Ode.
The meeting, which took place at Adeola Odutola Hall, was reportedly convened to bring together key party stakeholders, including current and former local government chairmen, councillors, and serving as well as former lawmakers from both state and national levels.
However, the senator, in a viral video circulating online, claimed he was denied entry into the venue despite being part of the expected attendees.
ALSO READ: “APC Failure in Disguise?” — Dickson Tears Into ADC Coalition
Speaking from his branded campaign bus parked at the venue, Daniel expressed disappointment over the situation, saying he and his team were stopped from accessing the meeting.
He further questioned the legitimacy of any resolutions reached at the gathering, suggesting that the outcome of the meeting should not be considered valid.
As of press time, the Ogun State APC leadership had yet to issue an official response to the allegation.
The lingering leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is set for a crucial legal test as the Supreme Court of Nigeria prepares to hear an appeal filed by former Senate President, David Mark.
Mark is challenging a legal action brought by a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Nafiu Bala, over the control and leadership structure of the ADC.
The case, scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, is expected to determine the direction of the party amid deepening internal divisions.
SEE MORE: 2027: Why ADC, Opposition Leaders Stormed INEC in Abuja
Through his lawyer, Realwan Okpanachi, Mark is seeking an order to stay the execution of a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12, pending the final resolution of the matter.
He also urged the apex court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from making any alterations to the party’s leadership as currently constituted under his faction.
In addition, Mark is asking the court to suspend further proceedings in a related suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite.
The dispute dates back to a September 4, 2025 ruling by the Federal High Court following an ex parte application filed by Bala, which has since fueled competing claims to the party’s leadership.
The ADC has, in recent months, been embroiled in a bitter factional crisis, with rival camps asserting legitimacy.
The situation has been worsened by conflicting court orders and administrative uncertainty surrounding who truly leads the party.
Tensions escalated after INEC reportedly removed Mark as the party’s national chairman from its official records, sparking protests by his loyalists.
The demonstration drew prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
In response, the Bala-led faction staged a counter-protest, insisting on recognition by INEC as the legitimate leadership of the party.
As the battle shifts to the Supreme Court, political observers say the outcome could decisively shape the future of the ADC, particularly as political alignments begin to take form ahead of upcoming elections.
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