By Ikemefuna Ozobi
The recently concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) delegate congresses in Anambra State were expected to mark a new dawn for a party struggling to find its feet in the Southeast. Instead, they revealed an old and festering wound: the persistent hijacking of internal party processes by those more interested in personal profit than party progress. The exercise highlighted the widening gulf between genuine stakeholders and opportunistic steak holders. It showed how the former are increasingly and with impunity being outnumbered by the latter—even at the national level.
Traditionally, stakeholders have a genuine, vested interest in an organisation’s success. In political terms, they are the party leaders, financiers, grassroots mobilisers, and loyalists who work tirelessly to build structures, mobilise support, and promote the party’s ideals. They are always with party faithful, paying school fees and attending funerals. On the other hand, steak holders are interlopers whose primary concern is grabbing a juicy share of the “steak”— the privileges, power, and personal gain that come with controlling party structures and ticket allocations. They jump in through the window whenever there is a delegate or primary election. Thereafter, they disappear and appear during another election cycle.
As the recent delegate congresses demonstrate, Anambra APC has been overrun by the latter. These steak holders are not interested in party development or electoral victory; their eyes are fixed on what can be cornered from the party’s spoils—delegates, candidacies, contracts, and influence.
More troubling is that some state and national APC leaders, who should act as impartial umpires and custodians of the party’s constitution, have become part of the problem. Attracted by the sweet scent of the steak served in Anambra, they have descended from their watchtowers to partake in the feast. Instead of standing above the fray and promoting fairness and inclusivity, these leaders have shown open partisanship, aligning with and promoting candidates that suit their personal or political interests.
Their interference has emboldened the local steak holders, exacerbated divisions, and undermined the credibility of the entire delegate congress exercise. By choosing sides and ignoring the protests of genuine stakeholders in Anambra, these national figures have sent a dangerous signal: that impunity pays, and loyalty to the party’s constitution counts for little.
The consequences are predictable: Authentic party members and grassroots leaders were shut out as preferred lists were smuggled in, carrying the names of loyalists of steak holders and their national accomplices. Party members who invested time and resources at the grassroots level feel betrayed, questioning the sincerity of the APC’s oft-repeated commitment to internal democracy. With parallel congresses and multiple claims of authenticity, the courts are again invited to do what party organs failed to do – dispense justice.
The resultant disillusionment among members may further weaken the party’s grassroots machinery in Anambra, reducing its chances in the November 2025 governorship election. The Anambra APC is at an inflexion point. It can either continue down the path of manipulation and factionalism or rise above the crisis and reclaim its original vision of progressive politics. The APC National Working Committee (NWC) and other organs must immediately withdraw from partisanship in Anambra’s internal affairs. They must embrace their constitutional role as impartial arbiters who enforce fairness, equity, and justice.
A genuine reconciliation effort must involve respected party elders—preferably those without stakes in Anambra politics. A candid review of what transpired in the delegate congresses should be undertaken, and corrective measures should be enforced. The APC’s real strength lies with the silent majority at the grassroots, not the political merchants. A renewed focus on building and energising ward structures is essential if the party wants to be competitive.
The story of the Anambra APC delegate congresses is one of betrayal by local steak holders and leaders who should have known better. Their partisanship has worsened the crisis and alienated genuine stakeholders whose only crime was believing in the promise of a progressive, people-centred party.
Yet, hope is not lost. If the APC can summon the courage to cleanse itself of steak holders and return power to the people, it can still mount a credible challenge in Anambra’s political arena. The time to make that choice is now—before the November 2025 governorship election becomes another wasted opportunity.
