Recent political developments within the All Progressives Congress (APC) have revealed symptoms of internal fractures, with a growing war of words between senior party officials. Notably, Garba Shehu, former President Muhammadu Buhari’s spokesperson, has engaged in a verbal exchange with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s wife, casting light on a simmering cold war within the party.
The rising tension became clear when Garba Shehu resorted to public venues to criticise Mrs. Tinubu. While the actual context and purpose for his remarks are unknown, it is clear that these interactions represent a wider schism inside the party.
Shehu denied in an exclusive interview with the BBC Hausa Service that Buhari’s administration was to blame for the country’s current economic woes.
Shehu said, “Despite these formidable challenges, Buhari was able to steer the economy out of crisis.”
Shehu’s remarks came after the First Lady, Remi Tinubu, stated that her husband, President Tinubu, inherited a wrecked economy from the Buhari administration.
For some time, the schism between the Buhari and Tinubu groups inside the APC has been a source of conjecture, with both sides striving for influence and power within the party. The ongoing tensions and difficulties facing the APC are further highlighted by this most recent verbal encounter between Shehu and Mrs. Tinubu.
Party leaders and stakeholders have privately expressed concern about the possible effects of these internal schisms on the party’s unity and effectiveness, especially as Nigeria approaches important political junctures. To traverse the tricky political environment in Kogi, Bayelsa, and Imo states, the APC will need to be cohesive and united, analysts have noted.
Observers and political analysts are eagerly following these developments, which have the potential to redefine APC dynamics and influence Nigeria’s political environment. As the discussions go on, there is increased interest in how the party leadership will handle and settle these internal disputes to maintain the party’s dominance in Nigerian politics.
Attempts to reach the First Lady’s office for comment on Shehu’s statements were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
