The All Progressives Congress warned former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi on Wednesday that continued public criticism of the ruling party could trigger disciplinary action, including possible loss of membership.
Ajibola Basiru, the APC national secretary, said party loyalty demands restraint from members who make statements capable of damaging the party's image. He described Fayemi's recent comments as "demarketing" and insisted that such conduct breaches party rules.
"Party discipline is not optional. When comments begin to damage the image of the party, there are consequences provided in our rules," Basiru said in a statement.
Fayemi, a minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari and a close ally of President Bola Tinubu, gave an interview to State Affairs with Edmund Obilo in which he expressed concern that the APC had drifted from the ideals of its founding members. He said the party was gradually losing internal debate and ideological clarity.
The comments have exposed underlying tensions within the ruling party that observers say have long simmered beneath the surface. Political analysts note that while relationships among top APC figures have appeared stable publicly, disagreements over party direction and ideology are not new.
Basiru acknowledged that the APC welcomes internal debate but drew a sharp line at public criticism. He said aggrieved members should raise concerns through internal party structures, not on public platforms where they could undermine party unity.
"We welcome internal debate, but when it becomes public demarketing of the party, it becomes a different matter entirely," the national secretary said. "No member is above the constitution of the party."
The warning marks a significant moment for Fayemi, whose standing within the APC had appeared secure despite occasional disagreements with party leadership. His status as both a former governor and a minister gave him considerable influence within party circles.
Basiru's statement suggests the party leadership is drawing a firmer boundary around what constitutes acceptable criticism from senior members. The APC has previously tolerated internal dissent from prominent figures, but the explicit threat of disciplinary action signals a shift toward stricter enforcement.
Fayemi now faces a choice between moderating his public criticism or risking formal sanctions from party leadership. The coming weeks will show whether he adjusts his stance or maintains his position, a decision that could have implications for his political future within the APC.
