By Olamide Martins
The Renewed Hope Concern Citizens (RHCC) has voiced serious concerns over alleged political interference and compromised candidacy within the All Progressives Congress (APC), implicating Senator Philip Aduda just days before the party’s scheduled primaries.
RHCC Chairman, Hon. Taiye Agbaje, made this known in a statement issued Monday in Abuja.
According to Agbaje, the group has formally submitted a detailed petition to the APC National Secretariat, with copies sent to the party’s state and local government chapters on June 16, 2025.
In the petition, filed through RHCC’s legal counsel at Mahmud & Co., the group accused APC chairmanship aspirant, Hon. Joshua Musa, of having questionable connections with senior opposition members, particularly within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including Senator Philip Aduda.
Agbaje alleged that Hon. Musa’s political campaign is allegedly being funded by influential PDP figures, notably former FCT Senator Philip Aduda and outgoing Bwari Area Council Chairman, Gabaya Shekwogaza.
He referenced a PDP stakeholders’ meeting reportedly held on May 30, where Hon. Gabaya was said to have openly acknowledged financial backing for Musa’s campaign. According to the RHCC, the PDP is allegedly positioning Musa as an alternative option should its primary candidates falter in the upcoming local government elections.
“If these claims are accurate, they represent a direct threat to the APC’s integrity,” Agbaje stated.
“We cannot permit our party to serve as a vehicle for opposition interests or personal agendas funded by rival parties.”
RHCC is calling on APC leadership to act urgently, urging the formation of an investigative committee to verify the alleged affiliations and financial support being channeled to Hon. Musa from PDP stakeholders. The group insists that if the allegations are confirmed, Musa should be disqualified to safeguard the party’s internal democratic standards.
Expressing further concern, Agbaje criticized Musa for remaining silent on the matter and for his continued association with known PDP figures.
“His silence speaks volumes. The fact that he has not publicly distanced himself from these accusations only adds weight to the concerns being raised,” Agbaje said.
With APC primaries scheduled for June 25, the petition could significantly alter the dynamics of the race in Bwari Area Council. Political observers suggest that the situation may reveal growing divisions within the APC at the local level and test the party’s ability to enforce internal discipline.
As of the time of reporting, Hon. Musa has not publicly responded to the allegations. While the APC National Secretariat has yet to issue an official statement, sources within the party suggest increasing internal pressure for leadership to address the issue swiftly and transparently.
The developments add further tension to the already charged political atmosphere in the Federal Capital Territory as the 2025 local government elections approach. According to reports, similar concerns are being raised in Kuje Area Council within the APC.
