By Samuel Adeola
Former members of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), a key bloc in the merger that formed the All Progressives Congress (APC), have demanded that the party’s 2031 presidential ticket be zoned to their fold as a condition for supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Under the banner of the Association of Former ANPP Members, the group accused the APC leadership of sidelining them in political appointments since 2013.
Speaking after a leadership meeting in Abuja, the association’s National Chairman, Prof. Vitalis Ajumbe, urged President Tinubu to ensure fairness by allowing the ANPP bloc to produce his successor in 2031.
“Since the CPC bloc ruled for eight years under Buhari and the ACN bloc is now in power, equity demands that the ANPP bloc takes its turn after Tinubu,” Ajumbe said.
He also appealed for more appointments for ANPP loyalists and reaffirmed the bloc’s support for Tinubu’s 2027 bid, pledging to mobilise nationwide structures for his campaign.
Reacting, APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbo, and Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Duru, described the demand as premature, insisting the party’s focus remains on the 2027 elections.
