Kayode Fayemi,Former governor of Ekiti State and founding member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has warned that the party is drifting away from the ideals that inspired its formation, saying the growing culture of consensus politics and the absence of internal debate are pushing the APC toward a political implosion.
Speaking during an interview on State Affairs with Edmund Obilo, Fayemi said the APC has gradually abandoned the progressive ideology and intellectual engagement that once distinguished it from rival political parties. According to him, the increasing reliance on consensus arrangements during party primaries across states has weakened internal democracy and alienated many loyal members.
The former minister of mines and steel development argued that political parties thrive when members are allowed to freely contest ideas and leadership positions, rather than being compelled to accept predetermined candidates. He described the widespread use of consensus candidates in APC primaries as undemocratic, warning that the practice could eventually deepen divisions within the ruling party.
Fayemi noted that while consensus can sometimes help reduce conflict, it should not become a substitute for transparent and competitive elections. He said many party stakeholders now feel sidelined because decisions are increasingly being made by a few influential figures without broad consultation.
According to him, the APC was created as a coalition of progressive forces with a clear ideological direction, but that vision is now fading due to the erosion of internal discourse and democratic participation. He lamented what he described as the disappearance of intellectualism within the party, saying political engagement has become more transactional than issue-driven.
“The party was founded on certain values and principles, but what we are seeing today is a gradual movement away from those ideals,” Fayemi said during the interview. “When debate disappears and everyone is expected to fall in line, the foundation of democracy begins to weaken.”
The former governor also cautioned that suppressing internal competition could create resentment among party members and fuel future crises. He stressed that healthy political parties must encourage dissenting opinions and provide equal opportunities for aspirants to test their popularity through credible primaries.
Fayemi’s comments come at a time when the APC has faced criticism from opposition parties and some insiders over the conduct of primaries and the growing influence of political power brokers within the ruling coalition. In several states, party leaders have adopted consensus candidates ahead of governorship, legislative and local government elections, often sparking protests from aggrieved aspirants and supporters.
Political analysts say Fayemi’s remarks reflect wider concerns among some founding members of the APC who fear that the party is gradually losing its ideological identity. The APC emerged in 2013 from a merger involving the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and factions of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Despite his criticism, Fayemi maintained that the APC can still regain its footing if it returns to its founding principles of inclusiveness, open dialogue and democratic competition. He urged party leaders to prioritise reforms that would rebuild trust among members and strengthen internal democratic processes ahead of future elections.
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