Leadership Crisis Threatens the Survival of APGA, as Anambra Hangs in the Balance

The ongoing leadership crisis within the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is posing a serious threat to the party’s existence. As tensions continue to rise, there are growing concerns that if the internal rift is not resolved soon, APGA could face disintegration. Given that Anambra State is the only state where the party currently holds power, the stakes are high. If APGA loses its grip in Anambra, it may spell the end of the party as a viable political force in Nigeria.

APGA, a relatively minor opposition party in Nigeria’s political landscape, was founded in June 2002. The party’s most significant achievement came in the 2003 general election when it secured the governorship seat in Anambra State. However, that victory was short-lived, as the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, orchestrated a political maneuver to steal the win. Dr. Chris Ngige, the PDP candidate, was backed by Obasanjo and the state’s powerful political ‘godfather,’ Chief Chris Uba, to usurp the position, plunging Anambra’s political scene into chaos.

Despite this initial setback, APGA eventually regained control of the governorship through a lengthy legal battle, securing its position in Anambra’s political framework. However, the party has struggled to expand beyond Anambra, limiting its influence on the national stage. The leadership crisis currently plaguing the party has further compounded its challenges, threatening the fragile unity within its ranks.

With the 2023 general election behind and the next political cycle already in view, APGA’s future is uncertain. If the leadership crisis persists, the party risks losing Anambra State, its last bastion of power. The disintegration of APGA could leave its supporters politically homeless and weaken opposition politics in Nigeria.

Resolving the leadership crisis is imperative for APGA’s survival. Without unity and strong leadership, the party faces an existential threat, and its legacy of being a symbol of political resistance in Anambra could soon fade into history.