Adamu, NWC members take oath of office
The newly elected members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are being sworn in in Abuja.
Led by Senator Abdullahi Adamu, members of the NWC took their oath of office with President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and leaders and members of the party in attendance.
The Chairman of the Convention Election Committee, Governor Badaru Abubakar said of the 36 offices in the NWC only five were contested while the rest were through consensus.
Ensure most popular candidates emerge, de-emphasise money politics, Buhari tells APC
President Muhammadu Buhari, Saturday night, admonished the new National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) de-emphasise money politics and always allow the most popular candidates to emerge.
The President gave the admonition late Saturday while speaking at the National Convention of the APC, held at the Eagle Square, Abuja, even as he charged the party to espouse fairness and values of internal democracy.
The President, who spoke just before the commencement of the elections into party positions, also charged those who would be contesting for party and elective positions to learn to accept outcomes of contests with grace, without allowing discontent to affect the chances of the party.
He, however, charged the party to remain united and strong and also support the incoming leadership of the party.
“However, I wish to enjoin the incoming National Working Committee to as a matter of policy, promote internal democracy and always respect the wishes of the people. We must de-emphasize money politics, and subject party primary and elections into public offices, to the highest bidder syndrome.
“Popular and acceptable aspirants who remain the people’s choice must be allowed to fly the party’s flag in the 2023 elections. We will resist the imposition of candidates. We should also promote equal opportunities and respect for the laws guiding the elections to stand us out as Nigeria’s ruling Party.
“It is our hope that the new electoral act which l recently signed into law, would promote the process of election, enhance transparency, fill in existing gaps and add value to Nigeria’s democracy. I, therefore, call on all the political parties, politicians and indeed the electorate, to be guided by the act and all other relevant laws for our democracy to thrive.
He noted that the Convention came at a very crucial period, being just a few months away from general elections, and charged that everything be done to keep the party together so it could take full advantage of its massive size to land victory in 2023.
“This Convention is coming at a crucial time when we prepare for another round of a general election. Therefore, the need to remain strong and united for the Party to exploit the rich and abundant potentials at its disposal cannot be overemphasized. We appreciate the right to hold different opinions and aspirations, however, such differences must not be to the detriment of the Party.
“l passionately appeal to you all to support the incoming National Working Committee (NWC) to promote unity and avoid sentiments that are capable of causing disaffection and disunity. For those aspiring for party and public offices, your failure to realize such aspirations for Party offices or to fly the Party’s flag, should not be a basis for a campaign of calumny against the party. We should have the spirit of sportsmanship and always support the party to succeed.”
He commended the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee for steering the ship of the party this far including; reconciling aggrieved party members, purchasing a new party secretariat and launching an aggressive membership drive that saw three governors defecting into the APC, among others.
“I want to congratulate us all for being part of this history-making event and to specially appreciate the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) which has been on a rescue mission under the leadership of His Excellency, Mai Mala Buni, the Yobe State Governor, for successfully piloting the affairs of the Party in the last 18 months and organizing this Convention to elect a new National Working Committee that will take over from the Caretaker Committee.
“I am glad the Party under the Caretaker Committee has bounced back to life with the reconciliation of several key and critical stakeholders and groups who had hitherto left the party or were on the verge of leaving the Party. The reconciliation process gave the aggrieved stakeholders a true sense of belonging and assurance.
“It is gratifying that the Party recorded massive and unprecedented defections under the Caretaker Committee administration. APC received three sitting Governors, a Deputy Governor, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives and State Assemblies, and other key officials from opposition parties who defected along with millions of their supporters.
“I am impressed to learn that the membership registration and revalidation exercise undertaken by the Caretaker Committee, has recorded over 41 million members. This has proved that we are indeed Nigeria’s leading and largest political party. It also exhibits our numerical strength and the potential to win elections at all given times fairly and squarely.”
The President who adduced reasons for his recent intervention in the affairs of the party, assured that it was not intended to muzzle dissenting voices.
“Recently, l had cause to intervene in the leadership crisis which was about to cause confusion in the Party. Such internal disputes are common in young democracies such as ours, but we must avoid overheating the polity and not allow our differences to tear and frustrate the Party.
“Like I said earlier, it does not do anybody or the Party any good, when we, as leaders, go down so low and resort to backstabbing and name-calling in the media.
“We should learn how to resolve our differences without jeopardizing our personal relationships and the fate of the Party. I want to thank the Progressives Governors’ Forum for heeding to my advice and suggestions in settling the leadership dispute,” the President said.
President Buhari called on all politicians and the electorate to abide by the new Electoral Act “ to promote the process of election, enhance transparency, fill in existing gaps and add value to Nigeria’s democracy for our democracy to thrive.”
Our best days are ahead of us, says Gbajabiamila
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila said on Saturday that the best days for the country under the All Progressives Congress (APC) were ahead saying “our best days are ahead of us”.
Speaking at the National convention of the APC at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the Speaker said “Our party, like our country, is going through a process of rebirth. We have the power and opportunity to build a political party that can stand the test of time and lead our country to a future of abiding peace and universal prosperity.
“We have answered that call and must now work together to make ourselves worthy, and by doing so, write our names, each and together, in the good book of history for all generations to come.”
He said the party has “travelled a long and hard road to arrive at this day. Through trial and tribulation, disagreement and reconciliation, misunderstanding and compromise, we have convened here to elect for our party a new national leadership to lead us at this critical time in the history of the progressive movement.
“But our gathering here today is more than just about an election. This convention honours the courage and sacrifice of the men and women across the length and breadth of Nigeria who banded together to build a new political movement capable of seeking and achieving political power and using that power to improve the lives of the Nigerian people.
“The All Progressives Congress (APC) is a triumph of vision over cynicism and principled action over apathy. As it was in the beginning, so it remains today.
“Together, we are a living monument to the principle that when patriots stand together in a righteous cause, God is ready to bless the works of their hands. And from our union of progressives has emerged substantive, long-lasting change that will stand to the benefit of our country for years to come”.
Speaking further, the Speaker said ‘Nation-building is a joint task, and we all have a role. Since its inception, this certainty has been the motto and guiding light of the 9th House of Representatives.
“We have kept faith with the Nigerian people by enacting legislation to improve the way we live and work, to create opportunities for commerce and wealth creation, fix gaps in our electoral process and strengthen our democracy.
“Legislation such as the Petroleum Industry Act, the Companies and Allied Matters Act, the Electoral Act and the Police Reform Act, which for many years seemed impossible to achieve, have now become the law of the land.
“We have passed the most far-reaching amendments to our electoral system and delivered amendments to the constitution of our republic that have the potential to change our country for good and for the next generation. All things being equal, we intend to revisit the issue of women inclusion in our constitution soonest. We must do this because ours is a party of inclusion.
“This is the promise of the progressive movement, and we have kept the faith. As we have gathered here today from across the regions of our country, representing every religion, tribe and gender, I urge you, fellow progressives, to adopt this motto and act accordingly. Let us set aside personal interests and ambitions to work together to deliver a successful convention that we can all be proud of.
“Through multiple electoral contests, many battles won and lost; through growth and expansion, it sometimes feels like the bonds of our brotherhood have frayed, and we have moved farther apart from each other. I urge this convention to remember the ideals and principles of our founding and let us, in that remembrance, rediscover the promise of our union.”
Convention: Buni Caretaker members missing on unity list
Two members of the Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), contesting for National Working Committee (NWC) positions at the National Convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are missing from the final unity list of the party.
They are former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani and former National Youth Leader, Barrister Ismail Ahmed.
Nnamani lost in his bid to be elected as Deputy National Chairman (south) to Chief Emma Enaukwu while Ahmed lost the National Organizing Secretary to Suleiman Argungu of Kebbi state.
From the unity list sighted by The Nation, Senator Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa) becomes the National Chairman, Otunba Iyiola Omisore (Osun) becomes the National Secretary.
Chief Enaukwu was the National Vice Chairman (South East) of the party under the Chief John Oyegun and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole leadership.
Other National Working Committee (NWC) members who survived the heavy horse trading include Senator Abubakar Kyari (Borno) and Barrister Festus Fuanter (Plateau) as Deputy National Chairman North and Deputy National Secretary, respectively.
Muazu Bawa Rijau of Niger state made the list as National Vice Chairman, North Central and Comrade
Mustapha Salihu (Adamawa), National Vice Chairman, North East, Isaacs Kekemeke, (Ondo) National Vice Chairman, South West, Victor Giadom, (Rivers) national vice Chairman, South South while the immediate past Director General of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Salihu Lukman (Kaduna) becomes the National Vice Chairman, North West. Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu (Imo) will serve as the new national vice Chairman,South East.
Also on the list are: for the office of National Organising Secretary zoned to North West, Suleiman Argungu (Kebbi) emerged while Nze Chidi Duru (Anambra) however emerged as Deputy National Organising Secretary.
The position of National Woman Leader is occupied by Dr. Betta Edu from Cross Rivers while Zainab Abubakar Ibrahim (Taraba) emerged as Deputy National Woman Leader.
Barrister Ahmed El Marzuk (Katsina) is the New National Legal Adviser, Uguru Mathew Ofoke (Ebonyi) is the New National Treasurer while Bashir Usman Gumel (Jigawa) is the National Financial Secretary in the new APC NWC to be led by former Nasarawa State Governor and Senator representing Nasarawa West, Senator Abdullahi Adamu. Dayo Israel (Lagos) is the new National Youth Leader.
The South West Unity List was signed by the five State Governors, namely: Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun State; Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State who doubles as Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
The National Unity List was signed by APC Governors and leaders.
They include Simon Lalong of Plateau State; Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State; Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State; Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State; Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State; Ben Ayade of Cross River State; Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State; Professor Abubakar Zulum of Borno State; A. A. Abdulrazaq of Kwara State and Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State.
Other signatories are Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State; Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State; Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; Yahaya Bello of Kogi State; Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; Nweze David; Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State; M. B. Abubakar; Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State; and Abu Bello of Niger State.
Some of the candidates announced that they were stepping down from the race at the convention venue before the arrival of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, For Gbajabiamila and the Senate President, Senator Ahmed Lawan, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and President Muhammadu Buhari who arrived the venue at exactly 8.26 pm.
Senator representing Ekiti Central in the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele said arriving at the unity list by stakeholders took a long time to arrive at, especially for the position of the National Chairman.
Six of the seven aspirants who bought the party chairmanship form stepped down for Senator Abdullahi Adamu who was also President Muhammadu Buhari’s anointed.
Opeyemi however asked Senator Adamu to evolve quality leadership for the party, adding that the aspirants who stepped down from the race were not pressured to withdraw from the race, saying it was an appeal.
He added that the situation would have nosedived if the aspirants were not allowed to participate in the process of obtaining their nomination forms and campaigning.
He said: “Well, I think it was a wonderful thing for several aspirants to have come out to contest for the chairmanship of the party but I think it’s a better deal that the aspirants who have demonstrated capacity to reconcile.
“They have shown that it is not a desperate situation and our hope and prayer is that the consensus candidate, His Excellency, Senator Abdullahi Adamu will be able to provide the much needed and anticipated quality leadership that we need to move the party forward.
“It was to the extent that nobody was forced to withdraw. All the 6 other aspirants have consented in writing to the consensus arrangement. I think it’s a step ahead.
“It was an appeal. There was no pressure on anybody. It was an appeal, an appeal that took a while. The President had been on this in the last 5 weeks even before he travelled.
“It would have been worse if they didn’t allow them to obtain the form. They all paid. They had the opportunity to go round the country to campaign and it would have been bad if they didn’t have the opportunity of contesting.”
Buhari, Osinbajo arrive Eagles Square for APC Convention
President Muhammadu Buhari arrived the Eagles Square, Abuja, venue of the National Convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The President official car pulled up at the VIP wing of the Convention venue at about 8.23pm.
Just before the arrival of President Buhari, the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), arrived the venue, at about 8pm.
After walking round the Convention ground, along with the Vice President, the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, and a large entourage of senior officials, the President immediately met with some critical stakeholders of the the party, including governors, Lawan, National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and others.
Others in the VIP wing include Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; former governor of Lagos State and Presidential aspirant of the APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 22 state governors and party members from the two chambers of the National Assembly.
With the arrival of President Buhari about five hours behind schedule, the APC convention, during which new set of national leaders to run the affairs of the party for the next four years will be elected, will start in earnest.
Details Shortly…
PHOTO: APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, walks towards the VIP pavilion.
There were fears on Saturday that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may not have been able to fully realise its consensus targets as some of its aspirants were seen rigorously lobbying and campaigning at the Convention ground, Eagle Square, Abuja.
President Muhammadu Buhari had solicited party leaders and members to strive to achieve consensus for all positions in the party ahead of the convention.
He held meetings with various critical stakeholder groups within the party, including the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), founding fathers of the party, chairmanship aspirants, among others, in the days leading to the all-important convention.
Police, Civil Defence shield Amaechi from hoodlums
It took the intervention of a combined team of Policemen and Civil Defence operatives to protect Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi from armed hoodlums at the main entrance of the Eagle Square, Abuja, venue of the ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) national convention.
Amaechi was stranded for more than 30 minutes before the security officials assisted him into the venue.
Edo delegates boo, chase away Sen Obende
Edo State delegates have booed and chased Senator Domingo Obende from the designated stand for the state at the national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
They accused the lawmaker of anti-party activities.
Oshiomhole arrives at Eagle Square
Former APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole arrives at the Eagle Square venue of the party’s National Convention.
His presence caused a resounding welcome by party members.
Clad in his usual brown khaki attire with a face cap to match, Oshiomhole walked around the venue acknowledging cheers from state delegates.
Edo delegates send away health minister from state’s stand
Edo State delegates have sent away Minister of Health, Dr. Osage Ehanire from the stand designated for the state at the Eagle Square, venue of the ongoing national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Nation reports that a shocked Ehanire left with his aides to the VIP stand.
Several injured as Police control crowd with teargas
Delegates and supporters have been teargassed as security operatives struggled to control entry into the venue of the ongoing All Progressives (APC) National Convention at the Eagle Square in Abuja.
Several persons sustained injuries in the ensuing stampede.
The two entrances into the Square, through the Office of the Head of Service axis as well as the Federal Secretariat car park axis, were jam-packed with hundreds of supporters and delegates that tried to make their way to the venue.
At the Head of Service axis, the crowd overpowered the policemen on guard and pushed the gate wide open and dozens of people, including those who were not accredited, poured in.
The police resorted to teargassing everyone before managing to close the gate and resume admitting only persons accredited despite the rowdiness.
PHOTOS: Nasarawa Gov Abdullahi Sule with some of his delegates at the APC convention
Delegates file into arena
Accredited delegates have started filing into the arena.
Already accredited states with their delegates at their designated stands include Nasarawa, Kaduna, Kogi Adamawa, Gombe, Kano, Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Cross Rivers, Osun among other states.
Security agents have arrested a middle-aged man for pickpocketting at the Eagle Square venue of the ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention in Abuja.
The man, dressed in a brown flowing gown, was arrested while trying to pick the pocket of a delegate trying to gain access through a gate to the venue.
The Nation reports that supporters of aspirants for various positions are giving security officials a difficult time as reporters and delegates are finding it difficult to gain access.
PHOTOS: Nasarawa Gov Abdullahi Sule and Minister of Information Lai Mohammed addressing security officials over the chaos in gaining access into the Eagle Square, venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention venue.
Six chairmanship aspirants resign, write SGF
Six chairmanship aspirants have written a letter of withdrawal from the race at today’s national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
A cover letter was also written jointly signed by all the aspirants.
The Nation learnt that the letters were later handed over to the Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr. Boss Mustapha at about 2 am for onward transmission to President Muhammadu Buhari by Sen. George Akume and Mohammed Etsu.
The aspirants are Sen. Tanko Al-Makura, Sen George Akume, Abudulaziz Yari, Sen. Mohammed Musa, Mohammed Saidu Etsu and Turaki Saliu Mustapha.
Details later…
Convention: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Taraba delegates barred from voting
There are indications that some states will not be voting at today’s national convention of the All Progressives Congress holding in Abuja.
The States include Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Taraba.
The election of the state executive committees of the affected states are subject to litigation in the court, hence the party bar in the states.
The Nation however gathered that statutory delegates from the affected states will be allowed to vote, while delegates that emerged from the congresses held in the affected states will be exempted from voting.
Details later….
Party faithful search for accreditation cards
Tight security, vehicular movement restricted
Heavy security has been beefed up in and around Eagle Square, venue of the APC National convention.
Vehicular movement has been restricted, while vehicles are being diverted almost one kilometre to the venue.
Buni in talks with state chairmen, Adamu
The National Chairman of the Caretaker and Convention Planning Committee and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni is said to be at a crucial meeting with state Chairmen and the Consensus candidate for the office of the National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
The meeting is holding at the Yobe governor’s lodge in the Asokoro area of the FCT.
The agenda of the meeting is, however, not clear, but it is believed that they will likely discuss the future of the party after the convention.
Other members of the Caretaker Committee are not attending the meeting.
Sen Musa withdraws from APC chairmanship race, backs Adamu
Frontline National Chairmanship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Mohammed Sani Musa has withdrawn from the race, his spokesman, Nasir Mohammed, has confirmed.
Sani Musa, representing Niger East Senatorial District at the Senate announced this decision after Friday’s aspirants’ meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, the leader of the party, 24 hours before today’s convention in Abuja.
He pledged to back Senator Abdullahi Adamu as the consensus candidate for the seat in the ongoing convention.
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7,584 delegates to vote their preferred candidates today.