Former presidential aide Chief Okoi Obono-Obla warns the All Progressives Congress (APC) that sidelining founding members could weaken the party’s internal cohesion. He made the remarks in response to comments by APC chieftain Cletus Obun on Arise Television. Obono-Obla argues that some loyalists who helped build the APC in its formative years are being left out of key political appointments and decision-making processes. He says the APC emerged in 2013 through a merger of opposition parties, including the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), ahead of the 2015 general elections. He also cites what he describes as diminished visibility of early grassroots contributors, particularly in Cross River State. Among the individuals he mentions are himself, Hilliard Eta (former APC National Vice Chairman, South-South), and John Odey (former Minister of State for Education). Obono-Obla contends that while parties may attract new entrants, continued recognition of long-serving members helps preserve unity, institutional memory and grassroots mobilisation, and he warns neglect could fuel internal discontent.