The attention of concerned stakeholders within the All Progressives Congress Party, (APC), has been drawn to a deeply troubling pattern of seige mentality and structure-grabbing culture being exhibited by a group of political actors whose actions, if left unchecked, pose a direct threat to the survival, credibility, and electoral fortune of APC in Oyo State.
These individuals have seemingly institutionalised what can be described as “Jagba politics” in local parlance, reckless, transactional, and anti-democratic approach driven by the flawed belief that power can simply be taken by use of force, without due process, without structure, and at the expense of the people.
Specifically, we consider the understated trends dangerous and unacceptable:
- Opportunistic Infiltration Without Ideological Commitment:
A significant number of these actors are political migrants who have carried over destabilising habits from opposition platforms. They have shown no real commitment to progressive values and ethos; only a calculated interest in exploiting the progressives platform for personal gain.
- Zero Investment, Maximum Control Mentality:
They neither build nor sustain party structures, yet aggressively position themselves to control outcomes. They avoid the hard work of grassroots engagement but seek to reap where they have not sown.
- Ticket Racketeering and Political Commodification:
Party tickets are being treated as tradable assets captured, allocated, and reserved for a select inner circle. This is not politics; it is profiteering, and it is fundamentally at odds with democratic principles.
- Open Disrespect for Party Elders and Established Leadership:
There is a deliberate and growing culture of sidelining respected party elders and dismantling established structures. This arrogance erodes discipline and weakens the institutional backbone of the APC.
- Willful Ignorance of Electoral Reality:
Despite clear evidence from past elections, including recent bye-election outcomes, these actors have refused to learn or adjust. Instead, they persist in repeating the same failed strategies that continue to cost the party dearly.
- Politics of Deception and Empty Promises:
Their strategy is built on inducement, last-minute bargaining, and fraudulent assurances of compensation that are rarely, if ever, fulfilled. This pattern damages both the integrity of the party and the trust of the electorate.
- Fraudulent “Consensus” Claims:
The abuse of the term “consensus” has become a tool of manipulation. Decisions are taken in isolation and falsely presented as collective agreements, excluding critical stakeholders and silencing legitimate voices within the party.
- No Stake, No Risk, No Consequence:
Perhaps most alarming is their detachment from the consequences of failure. With no real investment in the party, they remain insulated and positioned to benefit from appointments or contracts whether the APC wins or loses.
- Refusal to Learn from Recent Electoral Setbacks in Ibadan North:
The failure to draw lessons from recent electoral experiences, including bye-elections, reflects not just poor judgment but a dangerous lack of strategic capacity.
CONCLUSION: A CALL TO CONFRONT INTERNAL SABOTAGE.
The APC must not allow itself to be hijacked by individuals who neither believe in its ideals nor contribute to its growth. The continued tolerance of “Jagba politics” will only lead to deeper division, electoral failure, and loss of public confidence.
We call on all genuine stakeholders, and members to rise in defence of the party.
The time has come to reject imposition, resist manipulation, and restore internal democracy.
Power is not seized by force, it is earned through credibility, structure, sacrifice, and the trust of the people.
The future of the APC depends on the choices we make now
