South-South APM Chairmen Pass Vote Of No Confidence In Makinde, Boycott Town Hall

The South-South state chairmen of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), alongside governorship and National Assembly candidates in the zone, have passed a vote of no confidence in the party’s presidential candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, over alleged disregard for established party structures.

The chairmen announced their position in a resolution signed by representatives from the six South-South states, expressing dissatisfaction with what they described as inadequate consultation, recognition and engagement with the party’s leadership structures by Makinde.

They also announced a boycott of the South-South Presidential Town Hall Meeting, accusing the governor of running his campaign without adequately involving the party structures that had been built across the zone.

The group alleged that Makinde had failed to demonstrate the political will and focus required of a presidential candidate, accusing him of dishonesty, political compromise and incompetence.

The chairmen further claimed that rather than work with existing APM structures across the country, Makinde had appointed coordinators for his presidential campaign in the 36 states from outside the party.

They alleged that the coordinators were not registered members of the APM, adding that the party’s structures should not be treated as instruments for an individual’s political ambition.

The resolution stated that the decision to pass a vote of no confidence was taken in consultation with governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly candidates in the South-South zone.

The group, however, expressed confidence in the party’s National Working Committee, led by its National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, and urged it to continue working towards strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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

They said the South-South APM chairmen would reconvene at an appropriate time to decide their position on the presidential election, insisting that the Niger Delta region could not be swayed by political interests.

The resolution was signed by Dagogo C. Whyte of Rivers State, Peace Oruama of Bayelsa, Uduak Akpaneyene Edet of Akwa Ibom, Ugiagbe Charles Ogieriakhi of Edo, Prince Henry J. E. Eze of Delta and Ntami Nkanu Esege of Cross River.