APC Crisis? Obon Reveals How ‘Patronage’ Influenced Campaign Council Appointments

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Cletus Obon, has criticised the composition of the party’s 2027 presidential campaign council, alleging that some individuals were included as part of political patronage rather than on the basis of merit or relevance.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Obon made the disclosure during an interview on Arise Television, where he acknowledged that the ruling party may have made strategic mistakes in putting together the campaign team.

The APC chieftain argued that several names on the list did not have a clear role to play in the campaign, suggesting that their inclusion could undermine the effectiveness of the council.

Obon said the party could have made stronger choices in assembling the team, adding that some of the individuals selected were allegedly included to satisfy political interests.

He stated that there were strategic shortcomings in the composition of the campaign council and that some members had little or no justification for being part of the team.

Obon’s comments come amid renewed political developments within the APC as parties and politicians begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Meanwhile, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has announced his resignation from the APC.

According to reports, Sylva’s resignation was contained in a letter dated August 31, 2026, which was addressed and electronically transmitted to the APC Chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

In the resignation letter, the former minister expressed disappointment with the direction of the party, alleging that the APC had moved away from some of the principles and ideals upon which it was founded.

Sylva stated that he could no longer continue as a member of the party, describing the APC as a struggling political platform whose problems had become increasingly difficult to resolve.

Copies of the resignation letter were reportedly forwarded to the APC National Chairman, the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Bayelsa State Chairman of the party.

The former Bayelsa State governor said his decision followed consultations with members of his family, associates, colleagues and supporters before arriving at the decision to leave the ruling party.