APM Crisis Deepens as South-South Chairmen Pass Vote of No Confidence in Makinde

The South-South state chairmen of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) have passed a vote of no confidence in the party’s presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde, accusing him of sidelining established party structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The six chairmen announced their position in a joint statement on Wednesday, expressing dissatisfaction with what they described as inadequate consultation and engagement with the party’s leadership in organising the presidential campaign.

The statement was signed by Dagodog Whyte of Rivers State, Peace Osarama of Bayelsa State, Utuku Abangaye Edet of Akwa Ibom State, Ugoigwe Onyeka Ogechukwu of Edo State, Prince Henry Ese of Delta State and Ntami Nkanu Esage of Cross River State.

The chairmen accused Makinde of appointing presidential campaign coordinators across the country who, according to them, were not members of the APM.

They argued that the move undermined the party’s existing structures and weakened the role of state executives in coordinating political activities and grassroots mobilisation.

“We have realised that our Presidential candidate, Seyi Makinde lacks substance, the political will and focus to lead us right as a Presidential candidate,” the statement said.

The party leaders also accused the Oyo State governor of dishonesty, poor financial management and failing to demonstrate the leadership qualities they expected from a presidential candidate. These allegations were contained in their statement.

They maintained that the APM was an institution governed by its constitution, established procedures and recognised leadership hierarchy, insisting that no candidate should place personal political ambitions above the party’s collective interests.

According to the chairmen, the party’s leadership structures must be recognised in decisions concerning campaign coordination, political direction and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

They said their resolution was taken in consultation with governorship candidates, National Assembly candidates and State House of Assembly candidates from the South-South zone.

The group also expressed confidence in the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by its National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, urging the national leadership to strengthen the party and address the disagreements.

The chairmen further passed a vote of confidence in Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, whom they described as a national leader of the party, commending his leadership.

Despite their rejection of Makinde’s handling of the presidential campaign, the South-South leaders said they had yet to decide their position on the presidential election.

They stated that they would reconvene at an appropriate time to determine their next steps, adding that their concerns were driven by a desire to protect the party’s unity and institutional integrity.

The development signals growing internal disagreements within the APM as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The chairmen’s position raises questions about the coordination of Makinde’s campaign in the South-South and the party’s ability to reconcile its presidential campaign plans with the interests of its established state leadership.