By Ibrahim Idris Public Affairs Analyst
LAGOS, Nigeria — The All Progressives Congress (APC) has built its formidable reputation on the pillars of discipline, vision, and a commitment to the Nigerian people. As the party enters a critical phase of internal screening for legislative tickets, its leadership sits at a vantage point to further consolidate its legacy. To maintain this momentum, the party’s selection process must remain vigilant against aspirants whose past controversies could become unnecessary distractions from the party’s broader achievements.
The party leadership must look at the recent conviction of former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, as a sobering nationwide precedent. The APC cannot risk an electioneering campaign that drags into next year with candidates subject to litigation. As seen in the Mamman case, fielding a tainted candidate is a “ready-to-go” tool for the opposition. If a candidate is convicted or bogged down by legal battles in the middle of the race, it voids the ticket and destroys the party’s chances in that constituency, handing an easy victory to the opposition.
The importance of this meticulous approach is perhaps most evident in the Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency II of Lagos State. The APC has transformed Lagos into a model of modern governance, but this reputation relies on the caliber of representatives it fields at the federal level.
This specific constituency is currently occupied by an opposition representative, making it a critical battleground. Currently, the ambition of Monsuru Bello, widely known as “Obe,” presents a situation that requires the party’s most rigorous discernment. As a former Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA, Bello’s tenure has been the subject of intense media scrutiny and investigative reports from the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) and CivicWire regarding a ₦3 billion infrastructure fund.
Under his watch, massive sums intended for the rehabilitation of roads and the construction of drainages were allegedly mismanaged through inflated contracts and projects that were either poorly executed or abandoned entirely. Fielding Bello in a constituency currently occupied by the opposition hands them a weapon to focus the campaign on “missing billions” rather than the APC’s national achievements. When an aspirant is already defending himself against allegations of “diversion of funds” before the first ballot is even cast, he becomes a massive liability for the party’s platform.
In the South-South, Isoko South Constituency II the party has an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to grassroots empowerment by carefully vetting aspirants like Hon. Michael Akpobire, who is eyeing a seat in the National Assembly to represent a federal constituency in Delta State.
While the party continues to drive massive developmental strides across the Niger Delta, the presence of candidates who have faced public questioning regarding the management of youth-focused initiatives can cloud the party’s clear successes. The consequence of fielding Akpobire is that it allows the opposition to argue that the APC’s transformative agenda for the youth is being undermined by those entrusted to lead it. This risks a loss of grassroots trust and electoral defeat in a region where the APC has worked tirelessly to build a foothold.
This same standard of “integrity first” should be applied in the North-East, particularly concerning the aspirations of Alhaji Yerima Aliyu for the Fika/Fune Federal Constituency in Yobe State. In an area where the APC has worked tirelessly to bring stability and reconstruction, the party must ensure its flag-bearers are seen as partners in progress.
Allegations regarding past rural water project contracts provide a direct opening for critics to challenge the party’s sincerity. The consequence of ignoring these red flags is a potential public backlash from an increasingly sophisticated electorate that follows investigative reports and petitions. Taking risks on aspirants with a history of administrative friction could mar the party’s image and moral authority in a core stronghold.
The APC leadership is wise enough to know that the most effective way to silence an opposition is to field a candidate who is beyond reproach. By looking past figures like Bello, Akpobire, and Aliyu, and instead selecting representatives with a clean slate, the party ensures that the campaign remains focused on its national achievements rather than defending “missing billions” or facing mid-race legal collapses.
Ultimately, the APC’s path to a resounding victory lies in its ability to protect its brand from the “strategic suicide” of fielding scandal-prone candidates. Integrity is not just a virtue for the APC; it is its most powerful electoral strategy.
