The former All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) bloc in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a stern ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, demanding the vice-presidential slot in the 2027 elections and greater political inclusion or risk losing the bloc entirely.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the group, under the banner Association of Former ANPP Members, accused the APC-led federal government of marginalization, warning that they may seek “greener political pastures” if their demands are not met.
“The Vice Presidential seat remains sacrosanct for the ANPP bloc as the second largest contributor to the formation of APC,” declared the group’s National Coordinator, Prof. Vitalis Ajumbe. He urged Tinubu to honor the bloc’s contributions and restore internal equity in the party.
The group lamented being sidelined under the eight-year rule of former President Muhammadu Buhari, whom they accused of abandoning the ANPP—the very platform that launched his presidential ambitions.
They criticized the current administration’s appointments, claiming the ANPP bloc has been “conspicuously excluded” from key ministerial and board positions. “We supported Tinubu massively. But we are now being treated like political pariahs,” Ajumbe said.
Tracing back to the 2013 APC merger, the ANPP bloc recalled how the legacy parties—ACN, CPC, and ANPP—agreed to share interim leadership fairly, with ANPP then allocated the National Secretary role due to its control of three states. The bloc insists this original balance must be respected going forward.
They demanded President Tinubu, an ACN product, ensure that when his tenure ends in 2031, power rotates to the ANPP bloc for fairness.
Highlighting their political pedigree, the bloc listed key members such as Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governors Babagana Zulum and Mai Mala Buni, former governors like Attahiru Bafarawa and Ibrahim Shekarau, and federal lawmakers such as Ali Ndume and Abdulazeez Yari.
In closing, the group announced plans to begin zonal and state meetings nationwide to consult members, threatening mass defection if their role in party affairs remains ignored.
