The Director of the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies, Anthony Ikila, has claimed that the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s no automatic ticket policy for elected office holders might be targeted at the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Naijaonpoint reports that Ikila made the remark on Wednesday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show, stating that the policy could be designed to manage internal party dynamics, particularly in situations where influential political actors are in contention.
He emphasised that Fubara’s political situation is complex and makes him vulnerable, noting that the governor is facing opposition from a serving minister who is both a key party figure and a power broker.
According to him, the no automatic ticket policy may be part of broader efforts by the APC leadership to balance loyalty, control internal dissent and manage rival power blocs.
Ikila, however, cautioned that, regardless of the policy’s intention, it could have negative consequences for internal democracy within the party.
He said, “He might be targeted. It’s also targeted at people like you, so that you will not accuse them of that. But I think whichever way, it is bad.
“It is possible this is targeted at Fubara because Fubara has an opponent, a man who is a Minister, a leader of opposition, a leader of government in power. A very rare essence in the atomic table, as it were, very clear figure who on one side they want to keep, on the other side they struggle to tolerate.
“So it is possible they play different games to assuage this kind of side, the APC and the President and the people in power a situation where they want to eat their cake and have it. So they’re forced to play this kind of games.”