Basiru tells former Ekiti governor to leave ruling party if he no longer believes in its direction….
Fresh tensions appear to be brewing within the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, warned former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi against making comments capable of damaging the image of the ruling party.
Basiru also threatened disciplinary action against Fayemi, accusing him of engaging in statements and activities that could undermine the APC ahead of future elections.
The warning followed Fayemi’s recent criticism of the party during an appearance on State Affairs with Edmund Obilo, where the former governor said the APC had drifted away from the ideals upon which it was founded.
Fayemi expressed concerns over what he described as the growing absence of ideological direction and internal debate within the party, warning that the increasing culture of endorsements and consensus arrangements could trigger internal instability ahead of the 2027 elections.
“This is not where the party has come from. We have lost our bearing and the vision of the founding fathers of this party,” Fayemi said during the interview.
He also criticised what he described as the growing desperation among party members seeking political favour from the presidency.
“It would be unfortunate if everybody is running to Aso Rock because they want something,” he stated.
“Those who don’t get consensus won’t be happy… and you’re waiting for an implosion.”
Reacting strongly to the comments, Basiru dismissed Fayemi’s concerns and suggested the former governor should leave the APC if he no longer believes in the party.
“We urge him that since he so much despises the party and wishes the party an implosion, he should go to where whatever he thinks his best ideas can be ventilated,” Basiru said.
“We wish him the best of luck, but he should not stay within our party and be wishing us bad luck. He should go to another political party if he no longer believes in the party he represents.”
The APC National Secretary further warned that the party would not hesitate to punish members involved in what it considers anti-party conduct.
“Let him go and join another party. If he does not join another party, the APC will not hesitate to invoke disciplinary actions to sanction him for anti-party activities,” he added.
Basiru also linked Fayemi’s comments to alleged political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, claiming the former governor had been associating with opposition figures.
According to him, Fayemi’s position appeared to support earlier remarks credited to former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi regarding plans by some politicians to form a coalition against the APC.
“His statement only further confirmed what Mr Rotimi Amaechi said, that he was one of those who agreed to form opposition against the APC,” Basiru said.
“We also have it on good authority that he and some of his followers have been hobnobbing with opposition elements, particularly ahead of the Ekiti governorship election.”
Basiru argued that Fayemi’s comments at a time the APC is preparing for the Ekiti governorship election could weaken the party politically and damage its public image.
“Even at this time that the party is conducting its primaries and making preparations for the all-important Ekiti governorship election, it only shows a design to demarket the party ahead of that election,” he stated.
The latest exchange has further exposed growing cracks within the ruling party as political alignments and succession battles gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
