Grassroots APC Leaders Are Struggling Despite Party Being In Power – Obun

FCT, ABUJA, NIGERIA – Former member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Cletus Obun, has expressed concern over the growing financial hardship facing grassroots leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a recent interview on Arise TV, Obun revealed that many local party leaders are barely surviving, despite the APC being in control at the federal level.

Speaking during the interview (from the 2:25 mark), Obun shared insights from his recent travels across multiple states, including Lagos, where he closely observed the condition of APC leaders at the grassroots.

According to him, the experience opened his eyes to the realities on ground, highlighting the economic distress many of his colleagues face daily.

“I just came back from Lagos, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River; I discovered that most of my colleagues can barely make ends meet. And if people who are in a ruling party and who started a party and prided themselves as those founding a party that broke the jinx of opposition winning are in that condition, only God knows what is happening to the rest of the people”, he stated.

The former campaign council member also criticized the manner in which political appointments are distributed, claiming they provide insufficient benefits to recipients.

“So to that extent, even those who have appointments are given appointments in such a grudging manner that it doesn’t benefit and can’t take care of those who are there,” Obun concluded.

The APC Chieftain noted that tensions within the party have escalated as expectations of electoral success in 2027 diminish due to widespread disappointment among members across multiple fronts.

He particularly highlighted the frustrations of foundation members who originated from the legacy parties that formed the APC, including the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and other constituent groups.

The APC leader expressed concern that party loyalists who invested personal resources to sustain the organization during its formative years – when there were no government benefits to enjoy – are now being overlooked.

He noted that these dedicated members, who served at various levels from ward to local government and state positions, including roles as state chairmen, national executives, and committee members, are being systematically neglected despite their foundational contributions to the party’s development.