Tag: APC National Convention

  • APC National Convention: Osinbajo Supporters Storm Maitama Park in Abuja

    APC National Convention: Osinbajo Supporters Storm Maitama Park in Abuja

    …calls on VP to declare interest in Presidency now

    As part of activities to usher in the All Progressives, APC, National Convention, in Abuja, thousands of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s supporters organised a solidarity rally at the Maitama Amusement Park, Abuja.

    The supporters stormed the area on Friday with banners and placards with inscriptions such as “We support Vice President Yemi Osinbajo”, “Osinbajo for President”, “Osinbajo is the man for the job”, among others.

    Abuja was agog with celebrations, Cars honked, people waved brooms in the air, while some wore replicas of Osinbajo’s cap, reiterating that Osinbajo has what it takes to sweep out the nation’s endemic corruption.

    They vowed that the Vice President, if given the opportunity, will consolidate on the gains of the present administration, while he will also assiduously work to improve and block loopholes in the Nation’s economy.

    One of the supporters at the venue, Mr. Femi Olaiya, of the Osinbajo Think Tank Group Lagos, said the supporters were in Abuja to lend their voices to Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to run for office in 2023.

    He added that Osinbajo has proven to be the man who has what it takes to pick Nigeria out of the doldrums.

    “We need a leader who understands how it works; a leader who has the grit. The man for the job is VP, Yemi Osinbajo. However, we wish all the aspirants who emerge as the party’s leader successful tenure in office”, he said.

    He therefore called on the Vice President to declare his interest in the office of the President now, emphasizing that the party’s zoning will favour Osinbajo.

    An Okada rider, Suleiman Muhammed, said Osinbajo is the people’s choice, stressing that the Vice-President has warmed himself into people’s hearts.

    He called for the formation of a coalition of major stakeholders in the parties, and give Nigeria the first real opportunity in history to face the current challenges facing the country.

  • National Convention: Buhari Meets With APC Governors In Abuja

    National Convention: Buhari Meets With APC Governors In Abuja

    President Muhammadu Buhari is currently meeting with the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors at the presidential villa in Abuja.

    The meeting is coming amid the rigmarole surrounding the national convention of the ruling party.

    The party has fixed its convention for March 26 while March 12 was earmarked as the date it will elect zonal officers across the six geo-political zones.

    The governors were meant to have met with the president before now, but the sit-down was delayed due to his trip to Brussels, Belgium, to attend the EU-AU summit.

    Issues surrounding the postponement of the party’s convention are expected to dominate the discourse at the meeting.

    The party had earlier fixed February 26 for the convention but a postponement was announced on Monday after some confusion on the date.

    John Akpanudoedehe, national secretary of the APC caretaker committee, had said zonal congresses would be held prior to the party’s convention.

    “After deliberations and agreement with the national caretaker committee, we have agreed and approved that the activities of the national convention commence from the 24th of February and terminate on the 26th of March,” Akpanudoedehe had said.

    “The convention activities will commence on February 24 and terminate at Eagle Square on 26th of March. In between the convention, we have agreed to have zonal congresses.”

    Stakeholders of the APC have been at loggerheads over the party’s national convention.

    Salihu Lukman, a former director-general of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), had said Mai Mala Buni, chairman of the caretaker committee, does not want the convention to hold.

    He accused the Yobe governor of working with some governors and “Yahoo Yahoo politicians” to prevent the convention from taking place.

    Meanwhile, Yekini Nabena, a chieftain of the party, called for patience and trust in Buni’s leadership.

    Nabena said some leaders of the party are sponsoring a “campaign of calumny” against Buni and his committee, adding that they “cannot be stampeded” to take any action that will “eventually work against the chances of the party in near future”.

  • APC Makes U Turn, Fix March 26 For National Convention

    APC Makes U Turn, Fix March 26 For National Convention

    The ruling All Progressives Congress APC has reversed its earlier decision postponing its national convention indefinitely.

    The convention will now hold on March 26, the date earlier slated for the conduct of its zonal congresses.

    The Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has picked March 26, 2022, for its convention.

    Addressing newsmen at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja after a closed-door meeting, which lasted several hours, Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, said the preparation for the convention will commence on 24th of February 2022.

    He said the zonal congresses will hold before the national convention slated for 26 of March 2022.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has confirmed that activities for its forthcoming National Convention will commence from Feb. 24.

    Sen. John Akpankudohede, National Secretary, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) announced this while speaking with newsmen Monday in Abuja after the committee’s closed door meeting.

    “After deliberation and agreement with the CECPC, we have agreed and approved that the activities of the National Convention will commence from Feb. 24 and terminates in March 26 at Eagle Square with the National Convention.

    “In between the convention, we have agreed to have zonal congresses,” the APC scribe said.

    Below is the schedule of activities for zonal congresses:

    1. Thursday 24th February, 2022
    Publication of Zonal Committees

    2. Saturday 26th February, 2022
    Meeting of Zonal Stakeholders

    3. Monday 28th February – Thursday 3rd March,
    2022

    Sales of forms for Zonal positions

    4. Saturday 5th March, 2022
    Screening of Zonal Aspirants

    5. Sunday 6th March, 2022
    Screening Appeal

    6. Tuesday 8th March, 2022
    Adoption of Screening Report

    7. Saturday 12th March, 2022
    Zonal Congresses

    8. Monday, 14th March, 2022
    Zonal Congresses Appeal

    9. Wednesday, 16th March, 2022
    Adoption of Appeal Report

  • BREAKING: APC Postpones National Convention Indefinitely

    BREAKING: APC Postpones National Convention Indefinitely

    The All Progressives Congress has written a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission informing INEC of its intention to conduct its zonal congress on March 26, 2022.

    The APC further informed the commission that the earlier convention slated for February 26, 2022, may no longer hold.

    In the letter signed by the Chairman, APC Caretaker Committee, Mai Mala Buni; and the Secretary, John Akpanudoedehe, the party informed the commission that this new congress will supersede the earlier letter.

    In the letter dated February 21, 2022 marked APC/NHDQ/INEC/019/22/21, the party said it had to hold a zonal congress first in compliance with its constitution.

    The letter titled, ‘Notice for the Conduct of Zonal Congress’ read in part, “This notice supersedes our earlier notice for a national convention referenced APC/NHDQ/INEC/019/22/14. This is predicated on the evaluation of our party constitution.”

    The APC has been postponing its national convention since December 2020.

  • APC National Convention: Buhari Postpones Meeting with Governors

    APC National Convention: Buhari Postpones Meeting with Governors

    President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, put off a meeting with governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, scheduled to hold at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Although the agenda of the meeting was not made public, sources at the State House said, it was not unconnected to the party’s national convention slated for February 26.

    It was gathered that some APC governors had arrived at the presidential villa, only to learn that the meeting would no longer take place.

    No official reason was given for the postponement but the president’s activities for the day had been scheduled to end earlier than usual as he was meant to depart for Belgium later same day for Europe-African Union Summit taking place in the country.

    It is not clear whether the cancellation was for time constraints and when the meeting may be rescheduled.

    The governors that were sighted in the villa were the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Ekiti state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Simon Lalong (Plateau), Prof Ben Ayade (Cross River), Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Hope Uzodinma (Imo) and Yahaya Bello (Kogi).

    Also sighted were Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omon Agege and Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Ahmed Wase.

    It was further gathered that despite the cancellation of the meeting, the two principal officers of the National Assembly were able to have a session with the president.

    The Imo State governor, who was also able to have a separate session with the President on issues concerning the state while fielding questions from State House correspondents explained that there is nothing wrong if the APC decides to shift its national convention from the February 26 scheduled date.

    Asked to comment on what should be the fate of the party over its inability to agree on the zoning of offices and setting up convention subcommittees with less than two weeks to the date, Uzodimma explained: “Of course, that is the decision of the party and there is nothing wrong even if it doesn’t hold. What is important is that we must have our convention. We have said it is the 26th. If anything, for any reason tomorrow, it is not doable in the opinion of the party, we will move. But that does not mean that there is any intention to move.

    “We shouldn’t worry about little issues. I think our focus and attention should be towards having a workable democracy in Nigeria, like we have shown, supporting government policies and programmes and then being patriotic. Our democracy will do better if supported with the right attitude. You may not like my face, but the federal government is the federal government, the state government is the state government.

    “We should be able to exhibit a sense of nationalism and patriotism. We should be able to support a government that is in power. Today, the President, even though produced by APC, is President of all the political parties in Nigeria and the government of all the political parties in Nigeria.

    “This mentality of war, war, war, politics and democracy is not about war, it’s about ideology and the ability to sell your policy and the people will buy into it.

    “So, I’m confident that our party, contrary to the expectations in some quarters, will be stronger and stronger as we make progress and of course, in the nearest future, I’m very confident that APC will still be in power because the programmes are the party, the manifesto of the party, the individuals in the party, majority of the political class in Nigeria understands that APC is the party to beat and that is why they are joining day by day.”

    Governor Uzodimma dismissed the fears in some quarters over the national convention, saying that the APC being the ruling party has the wherewithal to deal with any issues that may arise.

    According to him, “Don’t forget that the APC is not a mushroom party, APC is a giant, it’s the largest party today in Africa and that is the party that other small parties should copy. Because small parties come to do zoning and all that does not mean their internal mechanism must be the same as that of APC.

    “APC is already the party on the ground that owns the federal government of Nigeria and up to 21 state governments. So, the discretion on how and when to do their convention should be an internal party affair and APC is the one wearing the shoe, with credible leadership, they know when to move and when not to move.

    “So, I think we should just watch because, under the constitution of APC, buying form is one thing. We have three modes that we can adopt to elect our officers; either by direct primaries, by indirect primaries or by consensus. What if APC has adopted consensus and is not yet to the public knowledge? We don’t need again to begin to sell forms and do that zoning or not zoning.

    “We are democratic enough to know when to shoot and when not to shoot. I think you should just bring your people who have not joined APC to join the party.”

    On why he was at the State House, he said, “I came in to meet with Mr President, to also brief him on the various developments in Imo State, as it has to do with security, as it has to do with governance and I had a very quality audience with Mr President.

    “I used the opportunity also to make some requests that will assist us in ensuring the security situation in Imo State is stable and that the fight against banditry is also sustained so that people can go about their businesses without fear of any molestation.

    “In the same manner, I also used the opportunity to request Mr President to consider locating a power generating facility in Nworie River, where we have been able to empty all the flood control systems by balloon technology and the tide has gone up, and because of the sufficient water in the river now, we can use that river to generate electricity to serve the entire Owerri Metropolis.

    “Mr. President also saw that as a good idea and pleased to support it and has given anticipatory approval for us to commence with the conceptual designs.”

    On the security situation in the state, Senator Uzodimma said, “We’ve made tremendous progress, we’ve been able to confront the bandits and the situation in Imo now is relatively calm. The Imo State Government has also procured some equipment for Nigerian Police and the Department of State Services to be used by Imo Command to be able to sustain our efforts in confronting the monster.

    “Only last week, we’ve placed an additional order for the procurement of armoured personnel carriers to be used by Nigerian Police in the ten federal consequences of Imo State and also we are supporting them with some other equipment, particularly in the area of technology, to make their work easier for them.”

    Asked what his administration was doing about making the Oguta Lake more economically viable for Imo State, he said, “As you know, the work on Oguta Port has commenced. We finished the initial hydrological studies, we’ve done the hydrographic studies, we’ve completed the conceptual design and then the seaport, the detailed engineering is being done.

    “In addition to that, only last year, Mr. President approved the location of a naval base in Oguta to enhance the security situation in that place. So, it is my hope, working in partnership with the private sector, that Oguta Port will soon be a reality and if that happens, it will not only improve the economic base of the state, neighbouring states like Anambra, Nnewi, Aba markets will use that for delivery of goods.

    “We have seven oil companies in Imo State, most of them, part of the challenges that have today is the evacuation of their produce, and then also the importation of the materials they use for exploration and production. So, when Oguta Port comes on stream, it will go a long way in alleviating the challenges that the oil companies face in Imo state.”

  • APC Finally Notifies INEC On National Convention Date

    APC Finally Notifies INEC On National Convention Date

    The Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee CECPC of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC has finally written the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, notifying it of its national convention slated for February 26.

    There had been speculations that some political hawks within the party were scheming to shift the convention.

    However, in the letter dated February 2 and jointly signed by Governor Mai Mala Buni and the Secretary, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe, the party said it would go ahead with its national convention on the said day.

    The letter which was addressed to the INEC Chairman reads in part: “Follow up to our letter referenced APC/NHDQ/INEC/19/021/40 dated 11th July, 2021 on the Notice for the Conduct of National Convention.

    “This is to inform the Commission that our great Party has scheduled to hold its National Convention on Saturday, 26th February 2022.

    “This serves as a formal notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 85 of the Electoral Act (2010) as amended.

    “Kindly arrange for your officials to monitor the exercise accordingly.

    “While hoping to receive your cooperation, please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.”

  • Buni Confirms February 26 as APC National Convention Date

    Buni Confirms February 26 as APC National Convention Date

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee Chairman Mai Mala Buni has announced February 26 as the date for the APC convention.

    Buni made the announcement on Tuesday at the National Progressive Women’s Conference 2022 held at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja.

    The Yobe state governor said the women in the APC played a key role in the success of the party’s recent membership drive.

    He said the party is counting on the support of women to hold a successful convention.

    Buni’s announcement comes less than 48 hours after APC governors met behind closed doors at the Kebbi Governors Lodge in Abuja.

    The governors deliberated on the contentious national convention of the party and also insisted on holding the planned February convention of the APC

    Chairman of the forum, Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Bagudu, at the end of the closed-door meeting told journalists that the announcement of the convention date will be made known by the caretaker committee of the party.

    The governors also passed a vote of confidence on the caretaker committee of the party, led by the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni.

  • We have not suspended our National convention – APC insists

    We have not suspended our National convention – APC insists

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has refuted media reports that the ruling party has suspended its national convention slated for February.

    The National Secretary of APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Sen. John Akpanudoedehe disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.

    The ruling party, however, said its priority was to address the fallout of recently conducted congresses and litigations against the party.

    The secretary noted that the faceless authors and sponsors of fake news on APC activities, especially the planned National Convention are simply bent on causing confusion and fomenting crisis through misinformation.

    ”We should not enable them he said.

    Akpanudoedehe noted, “The general public is advised to completely disregard fake news on the reported suspension of the planned National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) till June, as reported by some media outlets.”

    He said the Caretaker Committee was already embarking on nationwide consultations with party stakeholders to prepare the ground for a rancour-free National Convention.

    The secretary said it was based on this that the sub-committee on budgeting and other substructures would be set up in due course.

    Akpanudoedehe stressed that dates for party activities such as meetings, primaries, congresses, National Conventions are communicated through well-known official channels and not through ‘sources’.

    “Finally, the party notes and appreciates the continued support of well-meaning members and leaders as the APC Caretaker Committee undertakes the immediate task of addressing contestations within the party, litigations, fallouts of recently-conducted Congresses and generally reposition the party ahead of the National Convention.”

    Akpanudoedehe said as a focus-driven, process-oriented political party, the APC Caretaker Committee under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni would not be distracted by the self-serving antics of these sponsors of fake news.

  • APC Governors To Meet With Buhari As Worry Deepens Over National Convention

    APC Governors To Meet With Buhari As Worry Deepens Over National Convention

    President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors will meet Sunday on the likelihood of picking a definite date for the ruling party’s national convention.

    Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, gave the hint Friday while responding to questions from State House reporters after a closed door meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The governor said the meeting will focus on the proposed date for the convention.

    He said the President’s warning to the party that it risked losing power to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was a signal for the party to have a seamless convention so that it will not disintegrate.

    He said the governors have now given the president the assurance that the convention will hold in February.

    According to him, the president’s warning is for the party to redouble its effort and do the right thing.

    Lalong said as a political party, the APC is made up of different interests saying, “what matters is that at the end of the day, we will elect our representatives.”

    In an interview he granted to NTA, the president had warned his party to take the issue of convention seriously.

    Buhari had said: “We have a timeframe and we have to work because the four years circle is constitutional and can’t be interfered with by anybody. If the party can’t agree on the convention, then the opposition can take over.

    “What did the PDP do? They thought the opposition couldn’t come together, but ACN, ANPP, CPC, APGA came together and before PDP realized, they were thrown off, so they (APC members) can see.”

  • National Convention: Aggrieved APC members Drag Buni to Court

    National Convention: Aggrieved APC members Drag Buni to Court

    Some aggrieved members of the All Progresive Congress ( APC) have commenced legal action to stop the planned February National Convention of the APC by dragging the Caretaker- and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee under Yobe State Governor, Mr Mai Mala Buni before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

    Specifically, the aggrieved members have already applied to the court for an order to restrain the Buni-led CECPC from going ahead with the convention.

    Governors of the ruling party under the platform of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), has fixed a meeting for this weekend in Abuja, at the Kebbi State Governors lodge in Asokoro in respect of the convention.

    Recall that some members of the APC have been clamouring for a change in date of the scheduled national convention.

    In the suit dated January 4, 2022 the plaintiffs are Suleiman Usman, Muhammed Shehu, Samaila Isahaka, Idris Isah and Audu Emmanuel.

    Meanwhile, sued alongside Buni include the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Chairman, All Progressives Congress’ Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    Plaintiffs in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/3/2022, are praying the court for an order to stop the convention on the ground that state congresses are yet to be completed in all the 36 states of the federation.

    Lawyer to the plaintiffs, Olusola Ojo has raised five questions for the court to determine and also sought eight declarative reliefs.

    Part of the reliefs is an order restraining the 1st and 2nd defendants from organizing and conducting the national convention of the APC unless state congresses of the 1st defendant are first concluded in all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

    An order directing the 1st and 2nd defendant to first conduct state congresses of the 1st defendant in Anambra and Zamfara States before the national convention of the APC can be scheduled and conducted.

    Another order restraining INEC from giving approval effect to any action of the 1st and 2nd defendant to organize and conduct national convention of the 1st defendant unless state congresses of the 1st defendant are first conducted / concluded in all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory.

    No date has been fixed for the hearing of the case.