By Jide Orintunsin – Abuja

There are indications the Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has secured another extension until when it can conduct the party’s National Convention.

The party also released the formal timetable for congresses from ward level to the state level but failed to announce date for the National Convention.

The Caretaker Committee, which was inaugurated on June 25, 2020 for six months after dissolution of the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC), had its tenure extended for another six months in December, 2020 by an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The decision for another extension was reached on Friday morning after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari and the 13-member Caretaker Committee at the Presidential Villa in Abuja where the CECPC Chairman presented a summary of the Committee’s progress report.

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A statement by the Secretary of the Caretaker Committee in Abuja on Friday evening said: “President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday approved the review of the timelines available to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).

“The President granted the approval after detailed consideration of the progress report, the schedule of outstanding activities with regards to Congresses, the National Convention and the forthcoming Anambra Governorship election.

“The President also approved the timetable for APC Ward, Local Government and State Congresses. Ward Congresses will hold 24th July, 2021 followed by Local Government Congresses on 14th August, 2021 and State Congresses on 18th September, 2021.”

No mention was made of the National Convention.

But Gov. Buni, The Nation learnt, informed the President the Committee had been very cautious and meticulous in making arrangements to conduct credible, transparent, flawless and generally acceptable Congresses and Convention for the Party to produce a strong leadership that will enjoy the support, trust and confidence of all members.

Akpanduoehehe said the National Executive Committee (NEC) at its last meeting conferred on the CECPC the power of the National Convention, which was in line with powers provided in Article 13.3 of the Party’s Constitution.

On that strength, the Caretaker Committee had the President’s approval to review the timeline available to the CECPC.

By the approved CECPC decision, the tenure of the caretaker committees at each level from Ward, Local Government, State and National will end immediately elections are held at their respective levels and officers immediately take oath of office terminating with the National Convention.

On the forthcoming Anambra Governorship Election, the CECPC National Chairman notified the President that 14 aspirants indicated interest to contest through purchase of expression of interest and nomination forms, all of whom had been cleared by the Screening Committee as eligible to contest.

A Primary Election Committee has also been constituted to conduct the primary election on 26th June 2021.