By Callistus Onwuegbunam, Esq
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political trajectory has often been cited as a masterclass in loyalty and reward, a template of how political structures thrive when supporters are cherished and rewarded. However, Tinubu’s recent handling of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State sharply contrasts these principles, epitomising disappointment, political mismanagement, and a lack of foresight. This misstep not only jeopardises the APC’s fragile foothold in the Southeast but also calls into question the sincerity of Tinubu’s political philosophy.
Anambra, a state dominated by the Labour Party in the last presidential election, with Peter Obi achieving near-cult status, would always be challenging for Tinubu. Yet, against all odds, APC loyalists in Anambra delivered more than 5,111 votes for Tinubu in the 2023 election. While modest, these votes represented a Herculean effort by party members who endured societal backlash, familial alienation, and threats to their safety to back their candidate. For many, this was a profound act of loyalty and belief in Tinubu’s vision. Yet, rather than reward this courage and dedication, Tinubu has inexplicably sidelined these faithful APC supporters, favouring opposition figures instead.
The most glaring examples of this disregard are the appointments of Iyom Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, a staunch member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), as minister representing Anambra and Hon. Mark Okoye Jr., another APGA loyalist, as head of the South-East Development Commission. Some have argued that these appointments are based on merit. Fine. But there are equally well-qualified people in Anambra APC. If Tinubu couldn’t appoint members of the Labour Party in Lagos, where he lost, why should his action in Anambra be rationalised? His action sends a clear and damaging message: loyalty to the APC in Anambra is unrewarded, even penalised.
Some have also framed Tinubu’s preference for APGA loyalists as a strategic move to consolidate Southeast support ahead of his anticipated 2027 re-election bid. The argument goes that by courting APGA, Tinubu hopes to align with a party that enjoys historical significance in the Southeast. However, this strategy is fundamentally flawed. APGA’s political strength is grossly overstated. In the 2023 presidential election, APGA’s candidate failed to win even a single polling unit in Anambra. Even Governor Charles Soludo, APGA’s most visible figure, could not secure his polling unit for the party. If APGA cannot deliver its backyard, how can it be expected to serve as a reliable ally in Tinubu’s political calculations?
More importantly, prioritising APGA figures over loyal APC members undermines the credibility and morale of the APC’s grassroots base in Anambra. The 5,111 voters who stood with Tinubu represent the seeds of a movement. They are the nucleus of what could evolve into a formidable grassroots network capable of challenging APGA’s dominance in Anambra. By sidelining these loyalists, Tinubu risks destroying the foundation of the APC in the state and forfeiting any chance of future growth.
Tinubu’s actions in Anambra also expose a glaring hypocrisy. Throughout his political career, Tinubu has built his reputation on the ideals of loyalty and reward. In Lagos, his home turf, Tinubu established a reward system that kept his political machinery running like clockwork. His ability to nurture and reward loyalists was instrumental in transforming Lagos into a stronghold for the APC.
However, in Anambra, Tinubu appears to have abandoned these principles. By rewarding opposition figures while neglecting those who sacrificed for him, Tinubu undermines the very ethos that brought him to power. His actions raise a fundamental question: If loyalty to the APC is not reciprocated, what incentive is there for party members to remain committed?
Tinubu’s disregard for Anambra APC loyalists is not just a local issue; it has national implications. Loyalty is the lifeblood of any political party. When members feel that their sacrifices are futile, the party’s cohesion and effectiveness are eroded. If Tinubu’s betrayal of Anambra loyalists becomes a precedent, it could demoralise APC members across Nigeria, threatening the party’s unity and long-term survival.
The consequences of Tinubu’s actions – or inaction – are profound. The APC in Anambra is at a crossroads. The 2025 gubernatorial election presents a critical opportunity for the party to establish a stronger foothold in the state. However, this can only be achieved by rallying the base, building on the loyalty demonstrated in 2023, and expanding the party’s grassroots network. Efforts toward this have started to yield positive results until the recent appointments by Tinubu threw a spanner in the wheels.
Instead, Tinubu’s betrayal risks alienating the people who could serve as the backbone of this effort. The demoralisation of APC loyalists will diminish the party’s chances in 2025 and lead to its eventual extinction in Anambra and the broader Southeast.
Moreover, empowering APGA figures at the expense of APC members emboldens the opposition. By handing APGA loyalists influential positions, Tinubu effectively strengthens a rival party while weakening his own. This is not just a strategic miscalculation; it is political suicide.
For the APC to thrive in Anambra and the Southeast, Tinubu must urgently reverse course. The sacrifices of APC loyalists in Anambra cannot continue to be overlooked. Recognition and empowerment are essential as a reward for past loyalty and a strategic investment in the party’s future.
This means appointing credible APC members to key positions, providing resources for grassroots mobilisation, and creating opportunities for party members to feel valued and included. Tinubu must also address the optics of his actions. The perception that loyalty to the APC is penalised must be dismantled through deliberate and visible efforts to reward those who have stood by the party.
Furthermore, Tinubu must recognise that APGA is not the ally he envisions it to be. The party’s lacklustre performance in recent elections and its internal weaknesses make it an unreliable partner. Instead of relying on APGA, Tinubu should focus on building the APC as a formidable force in the Southeast, starting with Anambra.
Tinubu’s approach to Anambra is a microcosm of a broader challenge facing the APC. As Nigeria’s ruling party, the APC cannot afford to alienate its members in any region. The party’s survival depends on its ability to nurture loyalty, reward sacrifices, and build a cohesive national structure.
If Tinubu fails to correct his course in Anambra, the message to APC members nationwide will be clear: loyalty to the party is a one-way street. This could lead to a mass exodus of members, weakening the APC’s electoral prospects in 2027 and beyond.
Tinubu’s legacy as a political strategist is at stake. Will he be remembered as a leader who built bridges and rewarded loyalty or as one who squandered opportunities and betrayed his supporters? The answer lies in his actions – or inaction – in Anambra.
The APC in Anambra is not just a regional chapter but a litmus test for Tinubu’s leadership and the party’s future. The 5,111 votes secured in 2023 represent more than numbers; they are a testament to the courage and loyalty of APC members who defied the odds to stand by their party. Tinubu is undermining the APC’s foundation in Anambra and the Southeast by sidelining loyalists and empowering opposition figures. This betrayal risks the party’s future and national cohesion in the region.
The President must swiftly restore faith in the APC’s reward system. Anything less would not only betray the sacrifices of APC loyalists but could also signal the beginning of the end for the party in the Southeast – and potentially, the nation.
• Onwuegbunam, a legal practitioner, writes from Awka