Kaduna APC reacts to formation of new ‘faction’ by party’s leaders

The Kaduna State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, on Friday said the party had no faction, and that it stood with Governor Nasir el-Rufai, in a reaction to the formation of a new group by some of its leaders.
Some APC leaders, including Shehu Sani, a senator, and Hakeem Baba Ahmed, a former minister, had on Thursday announced the formation of APC Akida. Akida, an Hausa word, means “our Interest”.
Kaduna APC has been dogged by internal strife for months, resulting from a row between with Mr. Sani and Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Mr. Sani accuses the governor of hijacking the party, while supporters of Mr. El-Rufai say the senator has been involved in anti-party activities.
At a press conference on Thursday, a leading member of the APC in the state, Tom Maiyashi, said the new group will soon announce its leaders at all levels in the state.
Mr. Maiyashi said the APC Akida will serve as a platform for members of the APC to work for the progress of the party in the state.
“We believe in playing responsible and constructive roles because the government appears to have shut out basic involvement of citizens in governance,” he said, referring to the administration of Mr. El-Rufai.
“We came on board because our party structures do not exist or function in a manner prescribed by our party’s constitution. It does not protect the interests of our members, and one of our key goals is to help reestablish party structure at all levels.”