Politics
APC Doesn’t Have Money, Relies On Elected Members For Funds – NWC Member
Mr Israel, the APC National Youth Leader, made the revelation on Wednesday in Abuja at the newly established Youth Resource Centre, designed to mobilise young and female voters for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The Tide source reports that the APC had in recent months generated significant revenue from the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms for various elections. In February, the party raised N350 million from governorship aspirants in Anambra State, with nomination forms priced at N40 million and expression of interest forms at N10 million, respectively.
Similarly, ahead of the 2026 FCT Area Councils elections, the party fixed its chairmanship forms at N20 million and councillorship forms at N2.5 million. For last year’s Edo governorship election, each aspirant paid N50 million, generating at least N600 million for the party.
In the 2023 off-season governorship elections in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states, the APC made over N1.3 billion from form sales. During the 2023 general elections, the party reportedly earned more than N29 billion from aspirants nationwide, with presidential forms pegged at N100 million, governorship at N50 million, senatorial at N20 million and House of Representatives at N10 million, respectively.
Despite these revenues, Mr Israel said the party’s coffers were dry.
“Of course, it’s going to cost money,” he told reporters.
“Here at the resource centre, we need to pool our resources. We have to raise funds personally to even start what we’re doing here. We all know that the party doesn’t have money. We know that the party has to rely on the government, the administration, the president and our governors to support us. That is the reality.
“The party doesn’t generate income apart from maybe during elections, and it has a lot of overhead and other expenses. So there is a lot for us to do. I can tell you that this year, the youth wing has not received one naira from our mother party in any form.
“But we are young people, creative and innovative. We have a duty to support the president, who has appointed many of us into positions. We have to show appreciation by working together to help him, because he cannot do everything alone. We hope that as we impact more lives, we will attract more support for the president and the party”, he said.
When contacted, APC National Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, described Mr Israel’s remarks as an internal matter that should not be “overflogged”.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
-
Politics4 days agoEFCC Alleges Blackmail Plot By Opposition Politicians
-
Business4 days ago
AFAN Unveils Plans To Boost Food Production In 2026
-
Sports4 days agoJ And T Dynasty Set To Move Players To Europe
-
Business4 days ago
Industrialism, Agriculture To End Food Imports, ex-AfDB Adviser Tells FG
-
Politics4 days ago
Datti Baba-Ahmed Reaffirms Loyalty To LP, Forecloses Joining ADC
-
Politics4 days ago
Bayelsa APC Endorses Tinubu For Second Term
-
Business4 days ago
Cashew Industry Can Generate $10bn Annually- Association
-
Entertainment4 days agoAdekunle Gold, Simi Welcome Twin Babies