Category: Featured

Jide Orintunsin, Tony Akowe, Bolaji Ogundele and Nicholas Kalu, Abuja

The new national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abudullahi Adamu has said his first step is to make the party the bastion of internal democracy, to offer the country true democracy.

He said this on Sunday after taking the oath of office and allegiance along with 35 other newly elected members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja at the closing ceremony of the party’s national convention.

He noted that “the eyes of the nation are on the party; the eyes of Africa are on us; the eyes of the world are on us. This is a historic moment. There is no room for false steps. Our first step is to make our party the bastion of internal democracy. If a party is not internally democratic, it cannot offer the country true democracy.”

He then challenged the party faithful, “Together, let us rise and march towards the sunrise in our party and our country. The time has come for us to show statesmanship to arrive at the new dawn. The time has come for us to be patriotic in words and deeds. The time has come for us to affirm our being the party of the people, for the people and by the people.

He also called on party faithful and leaders to join hands with him and the new National Working Committee (NWC) in steering the ship of the nation out of the woods.

The highly elated chairman then took a swipe on the opposition saying, “As we conclude this very successful convention of our great party, I know that our opponents in PDP and other opposition parties are now sulking, wearing long faces of sadness, bewilderment and dismay.

“They had been hoping and praying to make a fortune out of our misfortunes. They were also hoping and praying to capitalize on the assumed failures of our party to reap political benefits.

“No Administration in the history of Nigeria has performed as much as we did in building key infrastructure and in uplifting the living conditions of the Nigerian people. Projects that once existed only in the dreams of Nigerians such as the Second Niger Bridge, complete rehabilitation of the Lagos-Ibadan dual carriageway, the Lagos-Ibadan express rail, the Abuja-Kaduna express light rail, the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipeline and many others, have either been started and completed during our Administration or have been inherited in abandoned conditions and have made rapid progress in the last seven years.

“No government can satisfy everybody, however hard it works. Some work will always be left undone and every work done will continue to need maintenance, expansion and improvement.

“We are however satisfied that APC has fulfilled its covenant with the Nigerian people. Of the three main pillars of its promises to the Nigerian people in 2015, that is, security, economy and anti-corruption, much progress has been recorded in all three areas and many more.

“APC is set to do much, more when Nigerians continue to bestow on us their love, support and confidence in next year’s general elections.”

Commending the APC led administration at the three tiers, the new party chieftain maintained that, “For almost seven years now, APC Administrations at the Federal, state and local levels have been battling night and day to enhance the livelihood of Nigerians through various policies, programmes and projects.

“We need to renew our faith in our party and its leadership at all levels to herald a new dawn. We need to commit to the resolution of our crisis within the confines of our party constitution.

“We must resist the temptation to blow every minor personal disagreement into a major party crisis. It is time for us to do things differently. When we quarrel, we open our flanks to our rival political parties that are only too eager to exploit them for their benefit.

Read Also: Lawan: Buhari will be APC’s compass beyond 2023

Assuring party members of the readiness of his committee to deliver the good. Adamu said, “We accept the onerous responsibility that you have placed on our shoulders and we will work hard to ensure that we fulfil your expectations for the greater good of our great party and of our dear country.

“I promise you here and now that we shall heal any wounds in our party; we shall effect lasting reconciliation among our members, and we shall go into the next general elections as a strong and united party.”

He appreciated other aspirants who stepped down for him and commended their spirit of sportsmanship and told them that he will continue to count on their cooperation as loyal party members and patriots.

“I offer my hands of friendship to all our members. I want to assure you that my colleagues and myself will run an open-door policy for all members of the party.

The 36 newly elected members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party were sworn in Abuja on Sunday.

President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, governors, members of diplomatic corps and leaders and members of the party were in attendance.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Convention Election Committee, Governor Badaru Abubakar said of the 36 offices in the NWC only 5 were contested while the rest were through consensus

All Progressives Congress (APC) governors are back in control of the party.

Seventy-two hours after conceding the national chairmanship of the party to President Muhammadu Buhari’s choice, Senator Abdulahi Adamu, the governors, working in tandem with some ministers, yesterday named their choices for the majority of the remaining 75 national executive committee positions.

Missing from the Unity List released by the governors were the names of a former President of the Senate, Chief Ken Nnamani; Farouk Adamu Aliyu; Ifeolu Oyedele; and Arc. Waziri Bulama.

They had sought to vie for Deputy National Chairman (South), Deputy National Chairman (North), National Secretary and National Organising Secretary respectively.

Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State formally presented Adamu to the convention last night.

Delegates were scheduled to vote for the next national women leader.

Former Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu, last night stepped down from the race for APC National Secreatary.

The governors’ own list itself is a product of intense lobbying, meetings and consultations over three days.

The governors were said to have been guided by the following five factors in compiling the Unity List:

• Protecting the interest of the legacy parties that formed APC;
• The need to respect the desire of members and leaders for unity, a sense of belonging and party cohesion;
• To have a solid and vibrant National Working Committee (NWC) which can help Senator Abdullahi Adamu who age may slow down;
• Building a bridge between current governors/leaders and latter ones at the party level from 2023; and
• Winning the 2023 polls begins with getting it right with the right party structure.

On the Unity List are: Senator  Abdullahi Adamu, (National Chairman); Senator Abubakar Kyari, (Deputy National Chairman, North); Emma Eneukwu, (Deputy National Chairman, South) ; Senator  Iyiola Omisore (National Secretary); Festus Fuanter (Deputy National Secretary); Mustapha Salihu (National Vice Chairman North-East);  Muhazu Bawa Rijau (National Vice Chairman North-Central) and Suleiman Mohammed Argungu National Organising Secretary).

It also contains Salihu Lukman (National Vice Chairman, North-West);  Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, (National Vice Chairman South-East); Dr. Victor Giadom, National Vice Chairman South-South); Isaac Kekemeke (National Vice Chairman South-West); Barr. Ahmed El-Marzuk (National Legal Adviser); Bashir Usman Gumel (National Financial Secretary) and Uguru Mathew Ofoke (National Treasurer).

Chief Eneukwu was National Vice Chairman (South East) of the party under the Chief John Oyegun and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole leadership.

The National Unity List was signed by APC governors and leaders including 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 were 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 had announced that they were stepping down from the race at the convention venue before the arrival of House of Representatives Speaker  Femi  Gbajabiamila, Senate President  Ahmed Lawan, Vice President Yemi Oainbajo and President Muhamadu Buhari.

Mr. Adebayo Shittu, Engr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele and Prof. Abideen Olaiya withdrew from the race for national secretary to pave the way for Senator Iyiola Omisore.

How governors, ministers struck the deal

Party sources told The Nation that the governors and ministers seemed to have applied “a scramble and partition” model in assembling the NEC members.

Some of the governors/ministers who have their allies on the Unity List are the outgoing Chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and Yobe  State Governor Mai Mala Buni, Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Babagana Umara Zulum (Borno), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Aminu Masari (Katsina), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), and Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger),as well as Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi.

Said one source: “At the stakeholders meeting of the North-East during the week, Buni virtually begged everyone that his political ally, Mustapha Salihu, be allowed to return as National Vice Chairman, North-East.

“Some party leaders from Adamawa State opposed the choice of Salihu but Buni applied diplomacy. And when some stakeholders got to know that certain forces in the Presidency wanted Salihu, they immediately endorsed him at the zonal level.

“On his part, Governor Atiku Bagudu did not waste time to recommend his Chief of Staff, Suleiman Mohammed Argungu, as the party’s National Organizing Secretary.

“Similarly, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu was passionate about Kekemeke for the office of National Vice Chairman (South-West). The same Akeredolu resisted a plot to re-zone the office of National Secretary to Ondo to edge out Kekemeke.

His anger was compounded by the fact that Ifeolu Oyedele, who was handpicked by some forces in the Presidency to be National Secretary, had not been his political ally.

“On his part, Victor Giadom returned to APC NWC in deference to the PDP elements in the legacy parties led by the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi. The same Giadom was handy in fighting a former National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, to a standstill.

“To fill his slot, Governor Aminu Bello Masari opted for his Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ahmad Usman El-Marzuq as APC’s new National Legal Adviser.

“As for el-Rufai, his preference for the National Vice Chairman (North-West) is his trusted aide, Salihu Lukman, who held the fort while he was in exile during the administration of the late President Umar Yar’Adua.

“Apart from coordinating the acceptance of Sen. Abdullahi Adamu as the consensus National Chairman by other aspirants, Governor Kayode Fayemi ensured that the South-West kept its agreement with Senator Iyiola Omisore as its choice for the National Secretary of APC.

“Omisore, who was vital to APC’s victory in the 2018 governorship Election in Osun State had not been fully accommodated. His choice may seal the hope of PDP in the South-West in the 2023 poll.

“Conscious of his exit next year, Governor Simon Lalong nominated his kinsman, Festus Fuanter as Deputy National Secretary of APC. Fuanter is the immediate past Commissioner for Lands and Survey in Plateau State. He is also of the same Gomai ethnic group in Plateau South Senatorial District. He is close to the governor.

“With bickering in his state over Deputy National Chairman (North) slot, Governor Abubakar Badaru settled for the office of National Financial Secretary for his state. His choice is Bashir Usman Gumel, who is said to be his wife’s relation.

“Until his nomination by Governor Hope Uzodinma, Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu was Chairman of the South East Zonal APC Secretariat.

“On his part, Governor Dave Umahi has his anointed candidate in Uguru Mathew Ofoke as the National Treasurer of the party.”

One of the governors said: “At last, the governors have agreed on a Unity List which can stabilise, unify and assuage all feelings in the party to win the 2023 polls.

“We have succeeded in balancing the interest of the President, the legacy parties, governors, stakeholders and APC members at the grassroots.

“Without securing the buy-in of all, we may not be able to win both off season elections in some states and 2023 elections.

“It was not easy reaching consensus at the state, zonal and national levels, but the Unity List was fair enough to keep APC alive.

“We have sent the Unity List to the President for concurrence. We may not need to vote at the convention.”

Earlier yesterday, the six aspirants who sought to contest the national chairmanship with Senator Adamu had written a letter to the Chairman of the APC Election Committee, notifying him of their withdrawal from the race.

Ex-Benue State Governor George Akume, who signed the letter, said their decision followed the appeal of President Buhari to “agree to a consensus arrangement wherein our colleague H.E. Sen. Abdullahi Adamu is made our consensus candidate.”

Others who agreed to step down were ex-Governor Tanko Al-Makura, ex-governor Abdulaziz Yari, Senator Sani Musa Muhammed, Comm. Etsu Muhammed and  Turaki Salifu Mustapha.

Buhari to new NWC: Ensure most popular candidates emerge

President Muhammadu Buhari charged the new National Working Committee (NWC) to de-emphasise money politics and always allow the most popular candidates to emerge.

The committee, Buhari said at the convention, should “as a matter of policy, promote internal democracy and always respect the wishes of the people. We must de-emphasise money politics, and not subject party primary and elections into public offices to the highest bidder syndrome.”

He added: “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 said the convention came at a very crucial period, being just a few months away from the general elections.

“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 over emphasised.

“We appreciate the right to hold different opinions and aspirations. However, such differences must not be to the detriment of the party,” he said.

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.

Oshiomhole: Evil doers have failed

Former chairman of the APC who breezed into the venue amidst cheers from the crowd said it was a great day for the APC.

“I am happy, I am excited that the party will be restored to the leadership position that it ought to be,” he told the NTA in an interview.

He added: “We are democrats and our party is for the ordinary Nigerians. It is not a party of big men. For us to have our convention today shows that evildoers can have their plans but God has produced someone today. And we have more people of goodwill than the evil ones who wanted this convention to happen today.”

Better days are ahead of us, says Gbajabiamila

House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila told delegates that better days were coming for Nigeria under the APC.

His words: “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 so doing, write our names, each and together, in the good book of history for all generations to come.

“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.”

We delivered on CECPC assignment -Buni

In his valedictory speech, Governor Buni said the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee which he led delivered on the assignment given it, citing the party’s registration of over 41 million members during the last revalidation and exercise and the defection of some PDP governors and other high profile politicians to the APC.

He said the former PDP governors whose defections are being challenged in the courts “have nothing to fear because your defections did not contravene any law.”

He added: “You will by the grace of God emerge successful and victorious in the superior courts at the end of these litigations. Your wise decision to join APC along with millions of your supporters shall never be in vain.”

Convention commences late

The convention was scheduled to commence at 3.30 pm with the national anthem but was yet to take off at 7.30 pm, heightening the tension that had engulfed the venue.

A serving senator from the Southwest confided that party leaders had been unable to resolve the crises in the Northeast and Southeast. They could not agree on zoning and micro-zoning.

The National Caretaker Committee, led by Mai Mala Buni, was worried. He said the Committee never wanted an inconclusive convention.

At about 3 pm, leaders from Southeast and Northwest asked for a three-hour permission to iron out the differences. That caused the delay, said the senator, who is also a lawyer.

The triumph of Omisore

There was apprehension over the fate of Iyiola Omisore after the Buhari camp insisted on Ife Oyedele, a CPC chieftain.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu maintained his stance that he could not sacrifice Isaacs Kekemeke, who had been tipped for National Vice Chairman (Southwest).

But Omisore never let down his guards. He had mobilised beyond the Southwest. He was confident of winning the ballot if it came down to voting.

Governor Kayode Fayemi also had a commitment to Omisore, who he had drafted into the Osun governorship contest in 2018 to beef up support for Governor Gboyega Oyetola, following the stalemate with Ademola Adeleke of the PDP.

The feeling is that Omisore has become a bride who will still be needed in Osun, especially now that Rauf Aregbesola and Lasun Yusuf are not likely to support Oyetola’s bid for a second term.

Tinubu, Osinbajo supporters in mild drama

Some men and women decked in black Osinbajo T-shirts were at the venue to campaign for the rumoured vice president’s presidential ambition. But they were countered by supporters of Adebayo Adelabu Adegoke from Oyo State.

A noise making and dancing competition soon ensued. The Oyo group had no drummers but resorted to composing hot intra-party competitive songs that dwarfed those of the Osinbajo group. It was fun for the two groups. No violent clash.

Tinubu makes grand entry

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu made a grand entry into the venue at about 7 pm, sending the delegates into a frenzy.

The Jagaban Borgu moved from one pavilion to another, greeting and receiving cheers from delegates across board. He showed agility, moving faster than the crowd that was hailing him. The former governor of Lagos State raised his right hand above his head, cheering the delegates non-stop for almost 30 minutes. He later took a pre-eminent seat at the VIP pavilion.

Water scarcity hits convention venue

The hot Abuja weather caused many throats at the venue to go dry and thirst for water. But there was not enough to go round.

A bottle of water soared to N300 where it was available. The quantity brought by each state delegation was consumed in no time.

To hell with COVID-19

Less than five per cent of the delegates wore face masks. Only a few VIPs did.

People hugged and shook hands without let or hindrance.

There was no washing of hands while only a few people came with sanitisers.

Is the COVID-19 pandemic really over?

Emefiele posters

Campaign posters of the governor of Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele, were sighted around the venue.

His supporters showed up, dancing around, but reporters could not sight the Agbor-born banker either at the Delta or VIP pavilion.

Reconciliation effective in Ekiti

Ekiti State Governorship aspirant Opeyemi Bamidele was at the state pavilion.

He was seen shaking hands with governorship candidate Biodun Oyebanji and they spoke for about 15 minutes.

Bamidele also exchanged pleasantries with key Ekiti delegates.

Other aggrieved aspirants were not as visible at the Ekiti pavilion.

Police repel attack, recover charms, weapons from hoodlums

Security operatives, including the police yesterday prevented hoodlums from wreaking havoc at the national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Abuja.

Some of the hoodlums came with charms while weapons were recovered from others.

The security personnel had a tough time putting them in check.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident. But he said there was no breakdown of law and order.

The arrested hoodlums were taken to the FCT police command.

A police surveillance helicopter was also noticed hovering round the entire city and particularly the convention ground.

Tear gas, tasers, stampede as convention kicks off

Security personnel deployed at the Eagle Squre, Abuja venue of the APC national convention were overwhelmed yesterday as thousands of delegates and non-delegates alike swooped on the grounds.

The crowd became very unruly and at a point pulled down the barricade at the gate to force their way in.

Despite providing accreditation to journalists and delegates, APC officials had a difficult time allowing accredited persons into the Eagle Square venue of the convention.

In order to calm the situation, the police and other security agencies resorted to using tear gas and tasers to control a near stampede at the gate of the venue.

“Where is my phone, please if you see an Android phone, please give me,” a distraught man who was trying to get into the convention venue was heard saying.

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 trying to make their way into 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 tear-gassing everyone before they managed to close the gate and resume admitting only persons accredited despite the rowdiness.

Security agents arrest three pickpockets

Security agents arrested no fewer than three suspected pickpockets at the venue after they were caught snatching mobile phones at the gate.

A security agent said the suspects took advantage of the commotion at the Eagle Square gate to snatch the mobile phones from their victims.

“The three of them are operating in a syndicate, snatching people’s mobile phones and money,” the agent said.

“They took advantage of the mad rush by delegates at the gate to snatch phones and money.

“What happened was that they didn’t know that we had stationed eagle-eyed policemen at the gate, watching as delegates entered the venue.

“So, that was exactly what happened. Our officer caught them in action after they had snatched individuals’ mobile phones,” he said.

The officer said that the suspects would be taken to the police headquarters for further investigation.

Supporters of presidential aspirants take over convention grounds

Supporters of presidential and other aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday took over the national convention grounds in Abuja, singing their praises amidst drumming and dancing.

The supporters, who wore different colours and costumes, arrived as early as 9 am displaying posters and banners of aspirants.

Some of the groups included those rooting for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi and Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi.

Some members of the group interviewed said they were in Abuja to showcase their aspirants.

Mr Musliu Ajani, a member of the Tinubu Supporters Group, said they decided to draw support for Tinubu on their own.

”We decided to come together to raise funds and campaign for Tinubu because he is the best aspirant to take over from Buhari in 2023.

“We believe that he has all it takes for the job,” he said.

Orji Kalu hails Buhari for intervention ahead of convention

The Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his timely intervention in resolving some of the crises rocking the party ahead of the national convention.

Kalu said in a statement that President Buhari played a pivotal leadership role in restoring peace and clear direction to ensure that the party conducted a peaceful and successful national convention.

He asked party members to remain committed to the APC ideology to enable the leadership of the party achieve its mandate to the party.

Kalu also appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to help the party resolve the pocket of crises rocking some state chapters of the party like Kano, Oyo, Osun, Akwa Ibom, Abia, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Kwara, among others.

Police, Civil Defence shield Amaechi from hoodlums

Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi had a hectic time entering the venue yesterday.

Hoodlums prevented his convoy from going in for about 30 minutes before a combined team of policemen and Civil Defence operatives cleared the way for him and guarded him in.

Oshiomhole steals the show

Former APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole got a hero’s welcome as he arrived the venue with party members shouting ‘Oshio! Oshio Baba!’

The former Edo State governor responded by waving his hands.

Clad in his usual brown khaki attire with a fez cap to match, Oshiomhole walked around the venue acknowledging cheers from state delegates and shaking hands with some of them.

Edo delegates send away health minister, senator from state’s stand

It was boos all the way for Health Minister Osage Ehanire and Senator Domingo Obende from the Edo State delegates.

Ehanire and Obande are indigenes of the state.

The Edo delegates denied the duo seats at the stand designated for the state

Lagos settles for Dayo Israel, Lateef Ibirogba as national youth leader, organising secretary

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) settled for 36-year-old Dayo Israel and former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Ibirogba, as National Youth Leader and South-West Zonal Organising Secretary respectively at yesterday’s national convention.

The decision of the Lagos APC was announced by the party chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, during a dinner organised for party chieftains and delegates at the Lagos Governor’s Lodge, Abuja on Friday night by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The dinner was attended by Governor Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Lagos APC chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi; members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), the apex leadership body of Lagos APC; members of National Assembly from Lagos State; Lagos State House of Assembly members; State Executive Council members and chairmen of the local governments in Lagos State, among others.

Speaking during the dinner, Governor Sanwo-Olu, who commended all the party leaders and delegates for traveling from Lagos to Abuja to participate in the APC national convention, expressed his support for Israel and Ibirogba as chosen by the party to represent Lagos in the National Working Committee as well as the South West level of the APC.

“They have shown our two candidates that we are bringing forward: the National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel from Lagos Island in Lagos Central and Mr. Lateef Ibirogba from Alimosho in Lagos West. We are sure that they will represent us very well,” he said.

 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.

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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.”

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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.”

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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.”

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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…

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PHOTO: APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, walks towards the VIP pavilion.

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Fears over consensus target failure

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.

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PHOTO: Ahmad Usman moving around with supporters to solicit votes.

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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.

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 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.

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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.

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PHOTOS: APC convention: Governors, ex-governors arrive at Eagles Square

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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.

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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.

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PHOTOS: Nasarawa Gov Abdullahi Sule with some of his delegates at the APC convention

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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.

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Pickpocket arrested at convention venue

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.

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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.

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PHOTOS: Supporters heading 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

08:00

7,584 delegates to vote their preferred candidates today.

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 consensus candidate for the seat in the ongoing convention.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday unveiled the official hashtag for its convention.

Unveiling the hash-tag during a virtual news conference, the Chairman of Media and Publicity Committee of the convention, Abdullahi Sule, said that APC was set to host the biggest party convention in Africa.

The governor of Nasarawa State was represented by Chairperson of the New Media Sub-Committee, Mrs Mary Ikoku.

He said that the hashtag would be used to give blow-by-blow accounts of development during the convention on social media, websites and applications, such as twitter.

According to him, the hashtag, #APCNationalConvention, is to announce the upcoming convention of ‘the largest party in Africa’, which is holding on March 26, at International Conference Centre, Abuja.

“This media parley is to unveil to the media and the public the official hashtag of the convention and to reiterate that the party is united.

“It is also an avenue to tell the world that the party is ready to deliver on those mandates that got it elected into office by millions of Nigerians.

“We all know the functionality of the social media in expanding and amplifying communication, and this is why we are launching the hash-tag to push home our message on the importance of the convention to the global online audience.

“The chosen hashtag is ‘#APCNationalConvention’ and we adopted this to solidify our narrative that we are united party men and women with one aim, which is to have one of the best party conventions ever seen in this country,” he said.

Consensus forces versus election forces

The forces pushing for convention and election were stuck in a stalemate last night, with each side fiercely seeking an edge.

An aide of the President was not sure how soon the issues might be resolved. President Muhammadu Buhari had proposed a consensus chairman. His rivals reluctantly stepped down after much persuasion by some governors.

However, there is no extensive preparation for an elective convention. There was no trace of ballot paper yesterday for possible use today.

The long wait for unity list

The chairman of the Convention Publicity Committee, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, told reporters yesterday that the Unity List was not immediately ready yesterday owing to delay in ironing out some cogent issues at the local level-states and geo-political zones.

While some of the zones had their list ready yesterday, others were still consulting. He briefed reporters at the party secretariat around 12 noon yesterday.

No manifesto by the anointed

When party members from many states were asked whether the anointed candidate for chairman ex-Governor Abdullahi Adamu had unfolded his plans for the party, all the people interviewed said they were not aware of his manifesto.

Eagle Square ready for convention

Although it could not be said that the party was totally ready as at 6pm yesterday, the Eagle Square venue of the convention was ready.

It wore a new look with colourful banners flying in self-jubilation. A war of posters also ensued. Posters of those contesting for party offices competed for spaces as did those of presidential aspirants.

A big billboard at the site bore the inscription ‘Fayemi for Nigeria.’ The posters of Tanko Al-Makura also hung on poles in the vicinity.

Read Also: APC convention: Battle rages over unity list as aspirants back Adamu

Uncertainty over number of delegates

No committee or sub-committee member was available to authoritatively speak about the number of delegates being expected at the convention.

A source said: “The party is pushing for voting by affirmation. Since there is no anticipation toward an elective convention, there is not going to be much accreditation hurdle.”

Day of clandestine meetings

A lot of clandestine meetings took place yesterday at various locations.

The president had met with the eight chairmanship aspirants on Thursday. It was inconclusive.

An aide of the president said the meeting was expected to resume yesterday. “The discussion continues until all issues are settled,” he said.

For five hours, APC governors were also locked in discussions yesterday.

An aide of a governor said: “It is still tough o. There is confusion. The governors are still meeting.  I think they will finally come to an agreement.”

Legacy leaders in crucial meeting

Besides, APC founding fathers, some of who seemed to have been sidelined, met to see how they could broker truce between aggrieved governors who are divided over the micro-zoning of the chairmanship slot on the one hand and the governors and the president over his preference for a particular aspirant.

Bumper time for hotels

Major hotels in the metropolis and suburb of the federal capital were fully booked by last night, leaving many delegates stranded.

National Secretary: Not yet concluded

Party sources said the president had been contacting key stakeholders in the Southwest to replace Iyiola Omisore with Ife Oyedele.

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and his Ondo State counterpart Rotimi Akeredolu are insisting on the former Osun State deputy governor as national scribe.

This means that Omisore may not return to the Senate in 2023.

Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola is said to be rooting for Oyedele.

Already, Isaac Kekemeke from Ondo State has been tipped for National Vice Chairman (Southwest). Two key party positions cannot be zoned to a single state.

Sympathy for disadvantaged states

The president and the National Caretaker Committee are insisting that states that have not produced national party officers before should be considered for offices that are zoned to their regions.

In other words, micro-zoning should take cognisance of complaints about exclusion and past cases of injustice.

Life will never be the same again for Mrs. Philo Takor, a widow and teacher, life would never be the same again with the sudden death of her daughter in a hotel room in Markurdi, Benue State capital, last Sunday.

Twenty-two-year-old Veronica Takor, a 200-level Microbiology student at Benue State University, Markurdi, was found dead in a room in Modona Hotel, sending shock waves down the spines of Markurdi residents and leaving her widowed mother and siblings in trauma.

A visit to the family house of the Takors revealed a heavily distressed family with Philo, the distraught mother of Veronica and widow of more than 12 years, reliving the traumatic incident in an exclusive interview with our correspondent.

She said: “My name is Mrs. Philo Takor; a teacher by profession. I lost my husband to the cold hands of death more than 12 years ago.

“I have four children, three girls and one boy, and I have been training them from primary school until they are now in the university.

“Two of my daughters, the late Veronica and Doowuese, are both in Benue State University Makurdi.

On Saturday, 19th March, Veronica woke up at about 7 am, and told me that she was going to Wadata Market where she used to buy second hand clothes to sell. She went and returned to the house at about 12 noon.

“When I came out of the bathroom and was getting ready to go for a wedding, I saw her and she told me that she had bought the clothes and left them at the shop so that after having her bath, she would go back to the shop where she also fixes nails for people.

“I told her I was going to a wedding and I left. Thereafter, I checked her up at the shop but met the clothes she arranged on the table while Veronica herself was nowhere around. It was around 3 pm.

“I asked her friend who operates a POS centre beside her shop and she told me that Veronica only told her that she was going out and would soon return. So I left a message with her friend that when she returned, she should tell her that I checked on her.

“Thereafter, I tried to call her on the phone but her phone was switched off. From about 3 pm, we kept trying the number but it was not going through. My daughter Doowuese also joined in trying to get her on the phone to no avail.

“When it was night, I became apprehensive and did not sleep. I was worried because she had never spent a night outside her house. I sat outside till about 5am on Sunday morning.

“Doowuese later joined me and said, ‘Mummy, I know you would not sleep. But don’t worry she is an adult and she knows your phone number offhand. If anything had gone wrong, she would have called you.”

“As my daughter was talking to me, I saw a young man standing on the other corner of the street. The young man had been standing there for some time, so I became suspicious. And each time I attempted to see the young man, he would try to hide.

“Then a lady in the next house was going to fetch water and the young man who was standing called her to come over to where stood.

“By then, I stood up to eavesdrop on what the young man was discussing with the lady (Nadoo).

“The young man was showing the lady something on a handset, so I asked my daughter Doowuese to go and find out from Nadoo what the young man was showing her.

“Immediately my daughter got close to the young man, he handed her a handset and told her that it was her sister’s (Veronica’s) handset, saying that she (Veronica) was drinking and collapsed.

“The man also gave my daughter a key and she asked him what the key was for; the man said it was the key to the room where my daughter was drinking before she collapsed.”

“Doowuese told the young man, ‘I don’t know you, how come you are in possession of my sister’s phone? Hold the phone and key and take me to where you said my sister collapsed’.

By then, my daughter switched on the phone, screenshot the Facebook chat and messages of the man that invited her to the hotel. The messages and those on the Face book were the same.

“My daughter rushed back into the house and dressed up to follow the man. I told her I was the one who asked you to see the young man, so where are you going? You have not even told me what happened. But she said I should be calm and left immediately to meet the young man.

“The man took my daughter on a motorcycle and I started my car and followed them. I followed them with courage as the cyclist rode recklessly towards Nyimam Layout in Makurdi and came to a halt in front of Madona Guest House.

At Madona Guest House, my daughter and the young mam went into the hotel. I switched off my car engine and followed them into the hotel.

“I saw a man near the gate and asked him where the two people who just came had gone to, and he said he didn’t know. I asked him why he would not know when the two people had just entered this premises. He reluctantly pointed to the upstairs, and I followed them.

“Inside the hotel, I heard my daughter shouting the name of her sister to know whether she was alive. This was on in Room 406 on the last floor. The door to the room was open and we saw Veronica on her knees face down on the bed. She was locked inside an air-conditioned room that was cold enough to kill anyone.

“Doowuese touched her hand and it was cold; an indication that she was dead.

“We held the young man by his shirt and asked who are you? The man said his name is Kator Jibo; that he was living in the same neighbourhood with me. I asked if he worked there, but he said no. I asked how he knew my house that he would come and give me my daughter’s phone.

“At this time, two boys came and pleaded with us to go down stairs. Then I asked for the Manager of the hotel. The manager later came and my daughter held him and asked how her sister died in his hotel. Incidentally, the Manager is the son of the owner of the hotel.

The manager pleaded that the man that was with my daughter was a regular guest in the hotel, saying he didn’t know about the death, but my daughter, Kator Jibo and their regular guest who is now at large were in the hotel when he (Manager) left for home.”

Mrs Takor alleged that while the argument between them was going on, the manager secretly arranged for police and ambulance. When the police came, she said, they refused to allow them to take pictures.

“Even the police themselves did not take pictures as evidence that Veronica died in their hotel,” she said.

“However, my brother’s son managed to outsmart the police and took pictures, which we have as evidence that she died in Madona Guest House, Makurdi.

“The manager even frustrated attempt to take pictures, which made us to suspect that there is more to her death than meets the eye.”

I want Justice —Philo

Mrs Takor said she had accepted the fact that her daughter is dead and would not come back even if she cries and sleeps outside for one month. “But I want to know the cause of her death so that the culprits would be brought to justice.

She said: “Of all my children, she is the best in terms of character. She hardly goes out. You would not even know when she was in the house. She was a choir mistress; a Christian committed to serving God.

“If you know her, she was always in the church. I keep trusting God to find her killers. Now that she is dead, let the will of God be done.

Philo said she disagreed with the claims made by the police and the owner of the hotel on the radio.

“I say no! It’s a total lie. The police have not allowed us to examine the body as I grant this interview. So how would I know if there are injuries on her body? The police denied us access to her body right from the hotel to the mortuary.

“I still ask: Why did the police not allow us to examine the body of my daughter? Why did the police not take pictures in the room where she died? What are they trying to hide?”

Modona Guest House is located on Nyiman Layout, Makurdi. It is a place good enough for love birds who want to stay away from prying eyes.

The efforts our reporter made to speak with the owner of the hotel and manager were futile despite paying many visits and dropping notes and phone number. The receptionist kept saying “the manager is not around”.

I believe my sister was killed because I saw her nails turn black – Doowuese

The late Veronica’s sister, Doowuese, also a student of Benue State University Makurdi, Education Foundation, said there were obvious signs that her sister was tortured and she died a brutal death.

She said: “When I went to the hotel room 406, I saw bloodstains on the bed sheet and she defecated all over the room. Her pant was in her handbag.

“From every indication, it was planned. If not, why would the manager of the hotel and the police not allow us access to the body or take pictures?

“Can someone ask the policemen that came to the hotel if they have any picture of Veronica dead in the hotel? There is a cover-up here. Something is not adding up.

“My sister was the zonal president of Rosary Bloc of St Paul Catholic Church, Ahule, Makurdi. We were close. She was loving and kind. We were fond of each other. Unfortunately, she died suddenly and I am yet to come to terms with her death.

We have no hand in his death, says hotel

The Manager of Madona Guest House, Mr. Amstrong Iloakahia, however, said the hotel had no hand in Victoria’s death.

Speaking in an interview with The Nation over the incident, Iloakahia also denied social media reports that the deceased’s body was mutilated.

He said: “One of our guests checked in on Saturday and he came back on Sunday morning to check on his female guest only to discover that the girl had died in the room.

“I closed to go home on Saturday, but from what I saw, the girl was doing drinking competition outside the hotel.”

The drinking competition, according to him, was such that anyone who could consume a certain amount of spirits was given N1,500.

He said from what he was told, the guest brought her inside the hotel room to sleep when she became unconscious.

According to the manager, the guest who brought late Veronica into the hotel later appeared on Sunday morning to check on her and was immediately arrested.

“He pleaded against people tagging the guest house a den of ritual activities, saying that it was the first time in 10 years of its operation that such an incident would occur. Iloakahia expressed sympathy for Victoria’s family members over the incident.

The Benue State Police Command, however, said that three people had been arrested in relation with Veronica’s death.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Catherine Anene, who disclosed this while confirming the incident, said no part of the deceased’s body was missing at the time her remains were recovered from the hotel room.

He said: “There is a death report of a lady in a hotel but details will come from the doctors, though we didn’t see marks of violence on the body. So, the autopsy will reveal the cause of the death.

“The person that died was dressed but we didn’t see marks on her body, meaning there are no injuries.

“Three suspects were arrested in connection with this case, so they will give us details. We can’t say it is a case of murder, because we didn’t see marks of violence.”

The Tiv socio-cultural organisation known as Mzough-Tiv has since stepped into the matter, calling for proper investigation and arrest of the brains behind the death of Veronica Takor.

“The President of Mzough-Tiv worldwide, CP Iorbee Ihagh (rtd) told The Nation: “We have taken interest in the death of Veronica Takor and we have gone to see the Deputy Commissioner of Police, who assured us that justice would be done.”

All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders appeared yesterday to have found the consensus option of picking the new national executive committee of the party harder than they initially thought, with agreement tough to reach on who would occupy many of the  positions.

The unity list which Governor Abudulahi Sule of Nasarawa State said the party leadership was working on to pick consensus candidates was far from ready at press time.

Governors elected on the platform of the party and other caucuses, including state and zonal, remained locked in marathon meetings trying to reach agreements yesterday.

It took the persuasive skills of Governors Babajide Sanwoolu (Lagos State), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna) to convince six chairmanship aspirants to step down for ex-Governor Abdulahi Adamu, the anointed candidate of President Muhammadu Buhari.

But former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, emerged the favourite for the position of National Secretary following his endorsement by the Southwest caucus, just as was Victor Giadom (Rivers State) for the National Vice Chairman.

Giadom is said to be the candidate of Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi.

The various meetings and consultations were still in session at press time.

Party sources said intrigues, including plots to alter zoning and micro-zoning within the six geopolitical zones, caused the delay in compiling the Unity List.

It was gathered that Governors Babajide Sanwoolu, Atiku Bagudu, Kayode Fayemi and Nasiru el-Rufai had to wade in yesterday to persuade ex-Governor Umar Tanko Al-Makura (Nasarawa State); Mallam Saliu Mustapha (Turaki Ilorin) from Kwara; Senator Sani Mohammed Musa and Mohammed Etsu (Niger State); ex-Governor George Akume (Benue) and another former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara) to forgo their aspiration to lead the party, 48 hours after the unveiling of ex-Governor Adamu as the preferred candidate for the position.

The aspirants reluctantly agreed to step down.

The governors were said to be concerned about ensuring a rancour-free convention.

Despite the efforts, it was unclear last night if the convention would not slip into election for any office.

The President and his strategists, sources said, were particularly interested in five offices, namely National Chairman, Deputy National Chairman (North), Deputy National Chairman (South), National Secretary and National Organising Secretary, to put the party in a better shape.

A top source said: “APC leaders have not been able to come up with a Unity List because of wrangling in some geopolitical zones.

“Some governors are uncomfortable with some forces allegedly breathing down on them. The interest of the presidency in five key positions has made negotiations difficult. These governors are saying that the presidency cannot have the key posts.

“There are attempts to alter the zoning formula and change a few micro-zone agreements. For instance, some forces have been attempting to re-zone the position of Deputy National Chairman (North) from the North-East to the North-West.

“Even in the North-East, some forces in the presidency and APC leaders wanted Arc. Waziri Bulama as the Deputy National Chairman (North) because of the need for an experienced hand.

“APC leaders in the zone initially recommended the Chairman of the state chapter of APC, Ali Bukar Dalori. But after intrigues, the zone settled on Senator Abubakar Kyari as Deputy National Chairman (North).

“Now, some power brokers are plotting to re-zone Deputy National Chairman from the North-East to the North-West. North-East leaders have vowed to resist it.

“To the discomfiture of the Governor of Jigawa State, Abubakar Badaru, forces in the presidency prefer a long time associate of the President, Farouk Adamu Aliyu from Jigawa as Deputy National Chairman (North). Badaru is seeking the office of National Organizing Secretary of APC for his state. Most governors in the North-West have rejected Farouk Adamu Aliyu.

“Badaru and Aliyu have parallel political views and perspectives.

“In the same North-East, some leaders are opposed to the return of Salihu Mustapha as the National Vice-Chairman (North-East) because some influential APC leaders are backing him. Some APC members see Mustapha as a front for some leaders who want to control the politics of states in the zone.

“In the South-West, there was a fresh move to change the micro-zoning formula. Some leaders have proposed that Ondo State should now produce the National Secretary instead of the Oyo/Osun axis.

“By consensus, the South-West had opted for Senator Iyiola Omisore, but suddenly, a member of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Ifeolu Oyedele, was being promoted by some Abuja-based forces.

“But South-West governors, led by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, have insisted on Omisore. Oyedele is not known to be on the same political page with Akeredolu in Ondo State.”

A governor said: “We want the forces in the presidency to shift grounds. Out of five key offices, we have conceded two. Let them keep this party united for God’s sake.

“This is why we are demanding that delegates should be allowed to vote for the candidates they like.”

Sources also spoke on the 48 hours of horse-trading that trailed the adoption of Adamu as national chairman.

The sources said it was with some reluctance that Adamu’s opponents agreed to step down.

One of the sources said: “So, everything looks set for the coronation of Sen. Abdullahi Adamu. The aspirants were poised for showdown, but these governors and party leaders succeeded in paving the way for a hitch-free session today.

“Most of the aspirants wore forlorn look after the meeting, but we are hopeful that they will not breach the gentleman agreement.

“As for other posts, we are still hoping that we will not have cause to vote at the convention.”

Speaking with newsmen, a member of the Media Committee for the convention, Mallam Garba Shehu, said: “It does not foreclose election in the event that the matter has not been resolved. It is not impossible to get to the ballot. We hope it won’t get to that point.

“We are hopeful for a successful national convention. Some media reported over 200 cases, but most of the cases were taken out of the court as a result of dialogue. We haven’t ended reconciliation, the new leadership will continue with that process.”

Asked why APC is sourcing its new leaders, including Abdullahi Adamu, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which it had derided in the past, Shehu said: “You read scriptures. You read the Bible, I read the Quran. Each of the scriptures says if you are a bad man today, you can be good tomorrow.”

APC still working on acceptable consensus candidate – Gov Sule

Shedding more light yesterday on the party’s resort to consensus, the Chairman of the APC Sub-Committee on Media and Publicity Governor Abudulahi Sule of Nasarawa State, said it was to ensure a peaceful and rancour-free national convention.

His words: “Before we go into the convention, our first choice is always consensus, and we are still on that first choice.

“However, democracy demands, even our party’s constitution and the constitution of Nigeria demands that if that doesn’t work, we’ll go ahead and look at the other options.

“But right now, that remains our option number one.”

He  said that Section 84(12) of the 2021 Electoral Act which restricts political appointees from being a voting delegate or be voted for at convention or congress of any political party, does not affect APC delegates to its convention.

The Nasarawa governor, however, said the clause does not affect delegates to the APC national convention because they are classified statutory delegates.

No fewer than 4,000 delegates from across the country are expected to elect 66 officials, including 21 National Working Committee (NWC) members and 45 non-NWC members to manage the party’s affairs for the next four years.

South-South stakeholders adopt Giadom, Edu, Morka for NWC

Stakeholders of the party in the South-South region have adopted its former Deputy National Secretary, Mr Victor Giadom, as consensus candidate for the National Working Committee (NWC).

Other adopted candidates are Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu, and Mr Felix Morka.

A statement issued by the stakeholders said that the three party members were adopted at the last meeting of the stakeholders held in Abuja.

A list signed by the stakeholders has Mr Victor Giadom for National Vice Chairman South-South, Dr Betta Edu for National Women Leader and Dr Felix Morka nominated for National Publicity Secretary.

The list of nominees as consensus candidates was signed by Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River State; Secretary of the CECPC, Senator John Akpanudoudehe; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi and Minister of Niger-Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Others are former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole; former Minister of State for Agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri and former Edo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Imasun.

Also at the meeting was Mrs Stella Okotete, the representative of the women in the Caretaker Extraordinary Committee; representative of the South-South in the CECPC, Mr David Lyon; Senator Ita Enaga, Senator Magnus Abe, Mr Victor Giadom and Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

“The National Vice Chairman South-South is zoned to Rivers/Bayelsa states, National Women Leader to Akwa Ibom/Cross River states and National Publicity Secretary to Edo/ Delta States.

“While the Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade picked Betty Edu (Cross River) for the National Women Leader, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi, picked Victor Giadom (Rivers State) for the National Vice Chairman.

“The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege picked Dr. Felix Morka (Delta State) for National Publicity Secretary,” it stated.

Meanwhile, some other aspirants had obtained the expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the positions.

For instance, Mary Ekpere Eta, former Director-General National Council for Women Development (NCWD) and Mrs Helen Boco Effiom had obtained the nomination forms to contest the office of the National Women Leader.

Also, the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, had obtained form to contest the National Vice Chairman South South.

Nasarawa stakeholders thank Buhari for finding Abdullahi Adamu worthy

The Council of APC Stakeholders in Nasarawa State yesterday thanked President Mohammadu Buhari and other party leaders for choosing Senator Abdullahi Adamu, a former governor of the state, to lead the party.

Chairman of the council, Dr Kassim Muh’d Kassim, told reporters in Lafia that Adamu would run the APC with all sense of maturity and give all party members equal opportunities to participate in the activities of the party.

He said that Senator Adamu as an experienced politician would use his wealth of experience to sustain the unity in the party.

Security beefed up at Eagle Square ahead of APC convention

Security operatives have been deployed at the Eagle Square, Abuja venue of today’s national convention of the ruling APC.

Police patrol vans manned by armed personnel were seen yesterday at strategic locations around the Square,

Passers-by were stopped and checked by the police men.

Vehicular movements were restricted and several vehicles were also turned back by security operatives.

The party said all routes to the area would not be accessible by 23:59hrs on Friday 25th March 2022.

Consensus arrangement for party executives violates Electoral Act 2022, says Ajulo

Constitutional Lawyer, Dr Kayode Ajulo, said yesterday that the consensus arrangement by the APC for its national executive officers is in violation of the Electoral Act 2022.

Ajulo, speaking in an interview with the  News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said Section 82(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022 stipulates that the election of members of the executive committee or other governing body of a political party, including the election to fill a vacant position “shall be conducted democratically.”

He said the section further allows members of the party or duly elected delegates to vote in support of a candidate of their choice.

Ajulo said that the provision means that the only mode of election of members of the executive committee or governing body of a political party shall be by direct or indirect election.

“It therefore implies that the Electoral Act, 2022 has expressly abrogated consensus mode of election of members of the executive committee or other governing body of a political party,” he said.

He added: “It is settled that in interpreting the provisions or section of a statute or indeed the constitution, such provisions or sections should not be read in isolation of the other parts.

“Section 84(2) of the Act provides that the procedure for the nomination of candidates by political parties for the various elective positions shall be by direct, indirect primaries or consensus.

“Section 84(9) of the Act further provides that political party that adopts a consensus candidate shall secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the position.”

PDP urges court to declare APC convention illegal

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday filed a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking, among others, a declaration that the March 26 national convention of the All Progressive Congress (APC) is illegal.

The PDP also wants the court to issue an order de-registering the APC as a political party on the grounds that it allegedly failed to meet the requirements of sections 222(a), 223(b) and 225 of the Constitution.

In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/389/2022 filed for the PDP by its lawyer, Samuel Irabor, the party argued that by a certified true copy of the  list of APC’s current leadership it obtained from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the party (APC) is being run by a 13 members Executive Committee, whose members fall below the number stipulated in Section 223 of the Constitution.

The PDP, in the suit filed on March 25, 2022 argued that by the provision of the Constitution, a political party’s Exco or Governing body must be drawn from 2/3 of the 36 states of federation which amount to 24 members.

Listed as defendants in the case are INEC, the APC, its Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) and the National Chairman of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee.

The PDP is also praying the court to declare all prior acts and decisions of the Mai Mala Buni-led CECPC before the institution of the suit as well as all subsequent acts, including the convention of March 26 as null and void and proceed further to order a de-registration of the APC by INEC in line with Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution.

Party raises committee to ‘enforce’ consensus at convention

A 35 member sub-committee yesterday emerged to ensure delegates’ compliance with the consensus arrangement.

The Technical Committee on Monitoring and Supervision has Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma as chairman.

Also on board are Nasarawa State Governor Abdulahi Sule, Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle; Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister Abubakar Malami, Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika, Education Minister Adamu Adamu who is designated Secretary of the committee; Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Minister  Sadiyya Farouq; and Presidential  aide, Lauretta Onochie.

Party sources said the main assignment of the committee is to ensure that the consensus arrangement which has thrown up ex-Governor Abdullahi Adamu as national Chairman and Chief Ken Nnamani as Deputy National Chairman, among others, is not derailed by forces opposed to a ‘unity list’ of party officials.

The Black Stars of Ghana and Super Eagles of Nigeria played a goalless draw on Friday evening at the first leg of the play off for Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Both teams had little chances, which they failed to convert with Nigeria coming closest in the second half with a pass to winger Moses Simon brilliantly saved by the goalkeeper.

The second leg of the play off holds on Tuesday at the MKO Stadium, Abuja.