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By Oscar Okhifo
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has cautioned former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, over his recent public comments on the ruling party, warning that continued criticism could attract disciplinary action.
Basiru maintained that loyalty to the party demands restraint, stressing that members who repeatedly make statements capable of undermining the APC’s image risk sanctions, including possible reconsideration of their membership.
“Party discipline is not optional. When comments begin to damage the image of the party, there are consequences provided in our rules,” he said.
His reaction follows a recent interview on State Affairs with Edmund Obilo, where the former governor expressed concern that the APC had drifted from the ideals of its founding members and was gradually losing internal debate as well as ideological clarity.
Fayemi, who also served as Minister of Mines and Steel Development under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, remains a prominent figure within the APC, having worked alongside President Bola Tinubu and other key actors in the party’s development over the years.
Political observers, however, note that while such relationships within the party have often appeared stable on the surface, underlying tensions are not new.
Fayemi’s recent comments have therefore reignited speculation about possible cracks within the ruling party that were previously managed behind the scenes.
Reacting to the comments, Basiru maintained that while the APC accommodates diverse opinions, such expressions must not cross the line into what he described as “demarketing” the party.
“We welcome internal debate, but when it becomes public demarketing of the party, it becomes a different matter entirely,” he warned.
He further cautioned that continued public criticism from party stakeholders, especially those who have held significant positions under the APC platform, could trigger disciplinary processes in line with party rules.
“No member is above the constitution of the party,” he added.
The APC national secretary further urged aggrieved members to channel their concerns through internal party structures rather than public platforms, warning that sustained public criticism could be politically damaging to the party.
As discussions continue within APC circles, attention now turns to whether Fayemi will adjust his public stance in line with the warning or persist in his criticism and risk possible disciplinary measures from the party leadership.