The All Progressives Congress (APC) elders’ caucus in Kwara State has declined an invitation from the reconciliation committee set up by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to address the ongoing intra-party crisis following the recent party primaries. In a formal response dated July 11, 2026, the caucus stated it would not attend the proposed interactive session, citing prior failed attempts at reconciliation within the party. The elders’ group emphasized that their efforts to resolve internal tensions were repeatedly ignored by both the governor and the state executive committee of the APC.
The caucus revealed that they had made “frantic efforts at reconciliation across the state” but were met with silence and indifference. They noted that formal letters sent to the governor and the state party chairman regarding reconciliation initiatives were not acknowledged. Additionally, the leadership of the elders’ caucus had visited the Government House before the primaries to discuss the party’s condition, only to be kept waiting for approximately three hours before being dismissed without any engagement.
The elders’ caucus further argued that the reconciliation committee, led by Colonel Abdulwahab Lawal (retd), was established as an afterthought and lacked legitimacy. They pointed out that Governor Abdulrazaq and the state APC leadership are central figures in the current crisis, making it inappropriate for them to oversee a resolution process. The caucus invoked the Latin legal maxim “Nemo judex in causa sua,” meaning “no one should be a judge in their own case,” to underscore the conflict of interest.
In their statement, signed by Chief James Bamisaiye Ayenioye, Chairman, and Abdulmumin Sidiq Katibi, General Secretary, the elders’ caucus reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC and to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. They stressed that they remain committed to the party’s ideals and foundational principles, despite the current challenges. The group believes that the crisis requires impartial intervention and not a process controlled by those directly involved in the dispute.
The refusal to engage with the reconciliation committee highlights deepening divisions within the APC in Kwara State. The elders’ stance may influence how the party’s leadership addresses the fallout from the primaries and could impact future party activities and elections in the state. As the political landscape remains tense, the outcome of this internal conflict will likely shape the APC’s cohesion and effectiveness in Kwara State moving forward.
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