In a fiery exchange that has sent ripples through the political landscape, prominent figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have come under scrutiny following controversial remarks that have drawn both public attention and internal party tensions.
Political commentator and X user, Mahdi Shehu, took to his official handle to spotlight the unfolding drama involving former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and former Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle. Shehu’s post vividly captures the widening rift among the APC heavyweights, each of whom has come under the spotlight for their recent statements.
Ameachi, in what many have described as a provocative remark, expressed surprise over the apparent calm in the face of Nigeria’s ongoing economic hardship. “I am surprised that despite the hardship, Nigerians are not protesting,” Ameachi was reported to have said, a statement that many viewed as a subtle nudge towards public dissent.
Akpabio, however, stirred even more controversy. The Senate President was quoted advising Nigerians to “help yourself if you see any food in public,” a remark seen by many as dangerously inciting looting and lawlessness at a time when the country is grappling with food insecurity and inflation.
Matawalle, while quick to condemn Ameachi’s words as “inciting,” has been notably silent on Akpabio’s comments, a stance that many observers have found perplexing. Mahdi Shehu, in his post, argued that Akpabio’s statement was far more dangerous than Ameachi’s, branding it as an open invitation to anarchy.
The tension between the trio reflects deeper divides within the APC, as Mahdi Shehu pointed out. He described Ameachi as a “spectator with daggers in both hands,” a veiled reference to the former minister’s current position outside the corridors of power, watching intently as Akpabio and Matawalle, still active and influential within the government, shape the country’s political future.
Amid this heated discourse, Shehu’s warning rang loud: “In between and among them, the judgment of God will come with precision.”
The unfolding clash between these political heavyweights raises concerns about the unity within the APC and the potential impact of such public disagreements on the party’s future, especially as Nigerians continue to bear the brunt of economic hardships. Whether this war of words will lead to deeper political fractures remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: tensions within the ruling party are reaching a boiling point.
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