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Tag: All Progressives Congress

  • LG Congress: Sokoto APC adopts consensus, maintains status quo

    The adoption of consensus for the  emergence of ‎party officials at the All Progressives Congresses held in Sokoto yesterday across the 23 local governments was concluded as planned.
    However, all former executives were unanimously returned , with the exception of the chairmanship positions which is agreed to be arrived at by the main congress committee after due consultations
    But in Sokoto North local government, the adoption attracted allegations and disagreement by some members who were denied participation.
    They were denied entrance into the local government headquarters venue of the exercise billed to affirm the consensus reached.
    However, it was gathered that armed security personnel were given instructions not to allow anyone without official tag to enter the premises.
    A source told The Nation that ” there are some specific persons who we don’t want to be part of the delegates. We have identified them and instructed they should not be allowed in.”
    Earlier, in a petition ‎to the Sokoto North Central APC party Secretariat, the aggrieved members had accused the committee of not respecting the terms of consensus which guaranteed the return of all former Exco members except those on condition of death, defection to other platforms and incapacitation due to ill health to be replaced accordingly.
    In the petition jointly signed by Alh. Kabiru Hali(ZVC Sokoto Central), Hon. Malami Muh’d Galadanci(SOHA), Hon. Abdullahi Hassan(Former Council Chairman, Sokoto North) and Mustapha Tsoho Kwandawa alleged that the committee deliberately removed names of those believed to be political loyalists to ‎Senator Aliyu Wamakko with those of Umaru Kwabo A.A.
    They noted that across 12 wards in the council, ‎no fewer than 13 deaths/defections/and those elected councillors created vacant spaces to be filled and were not addressed.
    Hitherto‎, the petitioners pointed out that across 3 wards where there were no cases of death, defection nor election the committee refused to take note and fill with credible and eligible member.
    ” We categorically state that the action or decision of the committee is a violation of the agreed terms and conditions to warrant doing the needful as adopted for a smooth consensus of our great party in the state.
    ” There is no internal democracy and readiness to unite members and sustain the tempo of success”, they stressed.
    However, speaking to reporters, Chairman of the Committee and Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Muhammadu Arzika Tureta said the exercise was successful and all major political players and ‎lawmakers from the state and National Assembly were at the venue where the affirmation was made to return all those agreed on consensus basis.
    ” We didn’t vote. It was consensus. They all emerged through the same pattern with the exception of the Chairmanship positions following a superior order which will be concluded by the main committee shortly.
    ” Unfortunately, only Hon. Malami Muhammad Bajare was not at the venue.
    ” Though, I met some aggrieved politicians and thugs at the gate trying to force themselves into the venue. “
    Tureta said the party adoption of consensus was to simplify the process in order to avoid rancour and unnecessary tension. We want a peaceful conduct”, he stressed.
    He continued:” I want to make it clear that no matter how transparent, credible and purposeful you plan and carry out elections, you can’t rule out allegations, petitions and counter allegations in democracy and party affairs. We can’t stop anyone but to find ways to amicably resolve issues and grievances for the party’s prosperity”, he expalined.

  • Ekiti 2018: Ajayi denies withdrawing for Fayemi

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Mr. Debo Ranti Ajayi, has denied stepping down for former governor and fellow aspirant, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    Ajayi described the insinuations in some quarters that he was working for Fayemi as “grossly unfair, incongruous and libelous falsehood and fabrication of the imagination of mischief makers.”

    Addressing a news conference in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, Ajayi said he remained in the race and would challenge for the party’s ticket at the primary election scheduled for Saturday.

    Read Also: Fayemi congratulates Olusola

    Ajayi said: “It is most unfortunate that some persons, who are insecure about their chances at the coming primaries, are bent on perpetrating these lies and rumours.

    “For the avoidance of any doubt, my aspiration is a call to service and a response to the agitation of the South Senatorial district to produce the next Governor.

    “My motives are borne out of a commitment to the Ekiti Restoration project and the desire to offer my expertise, both as a technocrat and politician, to provide unparalleled leadership and the best governance in the service of Ekiti land.

    “I wish to reassure all my supporters and friends that I am running my own race as a David appointed and anointed by God for a task assigned by God alone.

    “I am answerable to God who called me and cannot and will not step down for another. I therefore intend to participate and if God be true, intend to win the primary election holding tomorrow (Saturday), 12th May, 2018.”

  • Ojudu withdraws from Ekiti APC Primary, accuses Oyegun of Injustice

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, has withdrawn from the primary election scheduled for Saturday.

    Ojudu who addressed a news conference on Thursday described the party’s primary as “an unfair contest in which the national leadership wanted to force an unpopular aspirant on the people.”

    He accused the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, perpetrating injustice in the choice of the flag bearer in Ekiti and frustrating moves to have a transparent process.

    Responding to a question, Ojudu said: “I am not stepping down for anybody, I am withdrawing. I will leave (my) delegates to their choice.”

    According to him, “it is part of the complicity of NWC to allow an indicted person to contest for the party’s governorship ticket.”

    Ojudu claimed that Oyegun “vehemently opposed” an advice offered by the aspirants for the use of Option A4 to resolve the primary election logjam.

    Read Also: Breaking News: Ojudu withdraws from Ekiti governorship race

    The journalist-turned politician clarified that he was not stepping down for any aspirant but withdrawing from the race “to safeguard the future of our children and great grandchildren.”

    Ojudu said: “From what has happened since May 5 to date, it does without saying that this is an unfair contest where the NWC Chairman has clearly demonstrated that he does not care what happens to our dear party now and in the nearest future.

    “We saw a Chairman who has conspired with one of the aspirants in the race to unleash mayhem on others, wreak havoc and violence on ordinary citizens and exposed our state to great embarrassment on national television.

    “We saw an aspirant so unpopular to the extent that delegates called him unprintable names at the voting arena now being imposed on our people, not minding if this means we lose this state forever.

    “We do not believe in engaging in unfair contest and I am not ready to step on blood to get to power.  As I have reiterated at different times in the course of the campaign, this was never about me.

    “It was not about an ambition but a mission to give a new lease of life to Ekiti State and the people. It was about safeguarding the future of our children, our grandchildren, great grandchildren and even generations yet unborn.

    “Therefore, thus injustice perpetrated against Ekiti people by NWC Chairman cannot be allowed to stand. This is why the fight will continue, not as an aspirant but as a party reformer.”

  • Ekiti 2018: Drama as APC exco clears fetish objects from secretariat

    Members write Al-Makura, kick against direct primary

     

    There was drama at Ekiti State All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday as the Olajide Awe-led exco resumed office two days after scores of party members invaded the place and shut it down.

    Their supporters removed a big pot of sacrifice and palm fronds placed at the gate of the secretariat. They also smeared the ground with salt to ‘neutralise’ them and threw the fetish objects on the main road.

    Addressing a news conference in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, Awe said the rain that fell on the day the fetish objects was placed at the secretariat had “turned the evil on those who put it there.”

    Motorists and motorcyclists avoided the objects placed in the centre of the road.

    Some party members stormed the secretariat and claimed o have dissolved the Awe-led exco and ‘installed’ a caretaker committee led by APC Chairman in Ise/Orun Local Government, Mr. Kayode Egunjobi, to run the affairs for three months.

    They accused Awe of collecting a bribe of N75 million from Governor Ayo Fayose, bungling the May 5 primary, favouring a particular aspirant, alleged embezzlement of party funds, among others.

    Addressing a news conference shortly after regaining office, Awe said the action of some leaders and members who invaded the secretariat and ‘sacked’ the duly elected exco constituted a breach of party constitution and gross indiscipline.

    The party chair explained that he and his exco went to the APC National Secretariat in Abuja to brief the national leaders on the crisis adding that a Disciplinary Committee has been set up to investigate those directly and remotely linked with the ‘coup.’

    Awe said his exco also met with the Chairman of the Ekiti Governorship Primary Electoral Committee, Governor Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State on the modalities for the conduct of a fresh primary.

    In a related development, some leaders of the Ekiti APC hve kicked against the use of direct primary for the conduct of the rescheduled primary slated for Friday.

    In a letter addressed to Al-Makura dated May 9 a copy of which was made available to our reporter on Wednesday, said the use of direct primary was against the principle of fairness and justice to change the rules in the middle of the game.

    The letter was also copied to the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and the National Working Committee (NWC).

    According to the letter signed by Mr. Samuel Abejide, Comrade Ade Ajayi and Mrs. Moji Fafure, under the aegis of Ekiti Concerned Delegates and Leaders, they insisted that any aspirant who is not ready for the election can withdraw honourably from the race rather than “suggesting ridiculous options that will lead to nowhere but doom.”

    They also warned against the use of Option A4 which they described as “another danger for the party” as it would give opportunity to sponsored thugs to disrupt coupled with the fact that it is cumbersome and will not be possible to mobilize human and material resources within the time available for the conduct of primaries.

    The letter read in part: “The direct primaries option is a flagrant denial of the rights of the delegates who have been empowered through electoral process by the financial members of their wards otherwise called Ward Congress to vote for the governorship aspirant of their choice in primary elections to elect party’s candidates.

    “The delegates so empowered have not relinquished this right and mandate of the people, and so denying them this voting right which has commenced on May 5 before the process was aborted , is tantamount to disenfranchisement.

    “We are aware that the real motive of the aspirants in suggesting this option is to give them an ample opportunity to finally disrupt the exercise by deploying thugs and cultists who would abort the exercise and cause a stalemate. The result of this is that APC will not have a candidate to present till the May 15 deadline would lapse.

    “We wish to state clearly that we are ready for a repeat of the delegate primaries and we say no to direct primaries because it is a recipe for crisis which has been predetermined by aspirants who are not ready for any election but want the whole process stalemated because they have ganged up against a particular aspirant.

    “We wish to advise the aspirants who are clamouring for direct primaries to brace up for a repeat of the aborted delegates primaries on Friday because the direct primary option is not feasible and it is not in the best interest of democracy, Ekiti APC and Ekiti people generally

  • Tinubu, Akande meet Ekiti aspirants

    …To convey decision to party

    Leaders of the All Progressives  Congress (APC) in the south west on Tuesday met with the 33 aspirants contesting the Ekiti governorship primary to address issues that led to the disruption of the primary, saying they have arrived at a decision that will be in the overall interest of the party and the nation.

    The meeting called at the instance of the National Leader of the party was attended by majority of the aspirants as well as leaders of the party in the South-West; with Chief Bisi Akande saying that the resolution of the meeting will be conveyed to the leadership of the party on Wednesday.

    Leaders of the party in the South West who attend does the meeting include pioneer national chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, former Ogun state Governor, Chief Segun Osoba, former Ekiti state governor Otumba Niyi Adebayo and the Zonal Vice Chairman Chief Pius Akinyelure.

    Minister of Solid Mineral who was one of the aspirants who attended the meeting left the venue at about 6.32pm when the meeting went on break to allow the leaders take a decision in accordance with the agreement the aspirants.

    Although The Nation learnt that the Minister wanted to leave the venue of the meeting before the break, it was not clear whether he left in anger as he did not display any emotion while leaving, refusing however to speak to the Press.

    Former Deputy National Chairman of the party and one of the aspirants, Engr. Segun Oni dismissed claims that one of the aspirants walked out, saying “nobody walked out of the meeting. We are on break and will reconvene”.

    He also dismissed the option of going for a consensus, saying ” we are not considering that. We are going for election “, a position which was echoed by Senator Ayo Arise.

    Chairman of the Primary Election Committee and Nasarawa state governor, Tanko AlMakura however arrived the venue of the meeting at about 7.05 and went into a meeting with the leaders from.the south west who were already meeting.

    The meeting with the aspirants resumed at about 7.30 with AlMakura and members of the primary committee in attendance, but without the Minister of Solid Mineral and Senator Ayo Arise in attendance.

    Speaking with newsmen after the meeting, former National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande said the meeting took a decision they felt will be in the general interest of the party and the nation.

    He said they will convey the decision they arrived at at the end of the meeting to the leadership of the party, saying “we will convey our resolution to the party and the party will be able to tell you.

    “We took a decision on what will be the best advantage to our party and the country. Consensus is already written in our constitution and it is an option. Also primary election is already in our constitution. But what we want is the general happiness of the leaders of the party, the contestants and our party.”

    On whether the aspirants agreed to step down for one of them, he said “that option is given to them, but it require them going back, think about it and inform us.

    On fresh primary, he said “we are going to talk to the party about what the aspirants have said and what we all thought was best and we know that the party will take the right decision.

    “The party choose the old date, choose the modalities and the method of doing it and when it was aborted, the party it cancelled it. Who am I to say I  disagree with that. I was not part of that process. I am now going to be part of the new process so that we don’t have the kind of problems we had.”

  • PDP’s letter to UN beyond comprehension says Presidency

    The Presidency on Monday said that the letter written by the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mr. Uche Secondus to the United Nations Secretary General accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of several allegations confirmed the opposition party as a bad loser, desperate for another chance after they were kicked out for failing the nation and its people.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu said that the letter which is no less preposterous and comical, have shown that the opposition accused the Nigerian government of “destroying Nigeria’s democracy.”

    He added “PDP’s lecture on democracy and the rule of law coming from a party with a tradition of undemocratic rule is a desperate attempt to pervert history and the course of justice.

    “The sermon is both trite and hollow, coming from a party with intolerance for dissent as its hallmark.  A party that humiliated opposition parties and stunted their growth. This was the atmosphere that nurtured the birth of the All Progressives Congress (APC.)

    “The war against corruption, for which many more politicians may soon be docked, cannot be misrepresented as an attack on human rights and Mr. Secondus should not try to mislead the UN.

    “Nigerian politicians at all levels have been used to dispensing with state funds in whatever manner they please, and to have someone, an administration, finally saying, “No. It doesn’t matter how big or important you think you are; the law must come against you…” That is not something they are used to at all. For the PDP, as has now emerged, national security was the major source of their funding.

    “The PDP Chairman and all other politicians against whom the country’s anti-corruption agencies have on-going investigations, should be assured that it is only a matter of time before the law catches up with them, and makes them pay for the grief their mismanagement of the past has caused, and is still causing Nigerians. Nigerians suffered because of the poison sowed by the PDP.

    “If the public were privy to some of the facts and figures on corruption that President Buhari and the anti-corruption agencies are, they would understand the passion that drives the determination to nail these callous men and stop them in their corrupt tracks.

    “Regarding the accusation that President Buhari is behind the spate of herdsmen and farmer clashes in the Middle Belt of Nigeria, all we will say is that it as an embarrassing charge that the PDP would make, conveying an allegation from the beer parlours of Nigeria to an international body like the UN.

    “The PDP certainly has no shred of evidence to make such an allegation.  These are comments driven by tribalism and that age-old trick of balkanisation in a bid to score political points. This should not surprise anyone given the politics of anger, violence and polarisation that are the stock-in-trade of the PDP.

    ‘The various lengths to which President Buhari has gone to end the spate of killings, such as mobilising state resources against the attackers, approving the setting up of new police and army formations in the affected areas, and the recruitment of thousands into the police and other arms of the military, are a few of the several steps taken which a more reasonable opposition will acknowledge.

    “What can President Buhari possibly gain from the killings? There is no intelligent angle from which you analyze the matter and see any possible gain for this government in the wanton destruction of life and property going on.  For the “new” PDP leadership on the other hand, incapable of thinking big about the nation, they see and treat the unfortunate spate of killing of innocent Nigerians as political gift, about which they seem very happy to cite as the basis for a return to power.  They feel bad at every turn the country improves, which is beyond comprehension.  They should bury their heads in shame.” he said

  • Ekiti 2018: 27 APC aspirants reject continuation of primary, want fresh exercise

    Twenty seven governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State have vowed to resist the plan by the National Secretariat to continue last Saturday’s primary election from where it stopped.

    The shadow poll was aborted by violence unleashed by suspected thugs when voting was underway. The exercise was suspended by the Electoral Committee led by Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Al-Makura.

    The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi, was reported to have said that the primary would continue from where it stopped on Saturday.

    Addressing a news conference on Monday, the aspirants led by former Governor Segun Oni rejected the position of the National Working Committee (NWC) as canvassed by Abdullahi insisting that anything short of conduct of fresh primary won’t stand.

    They called for the constitution of a fresh electoral committee to conduct a fresh primary saying they have lost confidence in the Governor Umaru Al-Makura-led panel which oversaw the botched primary.

    The aspirants said “ballots used for last Saturday’s primary are no longer valid and tenable” having not been counted in the presence of everybody that witnessed the shadow election.

    Present at the parley were Oni, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Hon Opeyemi Bamidele, Hon Bimbo Daramola, Senator Ayo Arise, Senator Gbenga Aluko, Mr. Kola Alabi, Mr. Muyiwa Olumilua, Dr Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, Debo Ajayi, Dr. Bayo Orire, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, Chief Diran Adesua, Mr. Ajayi Olowo, among others.

    The spokesperson of the aspirant, Dr. Mojisola Yaya-Kolade, said the integrity and credibility of the ballot papers used for the primary could no longer be vouched for hence the need to conduct a fresh primary.

    She said: “The whole world could see how they smashed the ballot boxes and displayed it on swampy ground that day. The ballot papers were not counted and we can’t vouch for its credibility any longer.

    “By this act, the voting process had been violated and we are requesting for a fresh and new primary. We also request for a new committee to conduct the primary, because many of those in the panel are business associate of an aspirant. Some of them are incurably one sided.”

    On the rumour that it was a gang up against Fayemi, Mr. Kola Alabi said: “This is not true, it is a statement that we need transparency, because he who comes to equity must come with clean hands”.

    Adesua said: “The ballot papers used for the Saturday primary are no longer valid, they are no longer tenable because they ought to have been counted at the venue and the result announced at the venue.

    “Nobody knows what has happened to them and in whose custody they are kept. Some of the ballot papers were even destroyed in the violence.”

    Another aspirant, Debo Ajayi corrected the impression that the party is divided; saying their demands for transparent primary should not be misinterpreted to mean a rebellion against the party.

    Oni, also used the forum to condemn the removal of Jide Awe as the state Chairman by a group of party members who installed a caretaker exco after sacking the party secretariat.

    Oni said: “This is a political party and nobody can just wake up and say he wants to remove party leaders without following due process.

    “There are processes spelt out for the removal of a state Chairman and other members of his council. Unfortunately, these people are getting desperate and they continue to get desperate and this will lead us nowhere.

    “We can’t be coerced, intimidated or repressed by anybody, this party belongs to all of us. They should be careful, so that they won’t lead us into chaos.

    “We beg those propelling them, those behind them to take caution in the interest of our party.”

  • “Ward congresses in Cross River remain suspended”

    Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Central Senatorial District of Cross River State, Mr Cletus Obun,on Monday said the indefinite suspension ward congresses in the state remains in force.

    The congresses, which were to hold last Saturday in the state, were suspended indefinitely following confusions that arose about the alleged bias of the Congress Committee chairman, Dr Stan Ekezie. The congress materials had been put in custody of the Commissioner of Police.

    Speaking with reporters in Calabar on Monday, Obun said, “It is a demand from Cross River State that came as a resolution of all stakeholders in the state and was it unanimous that a vote of no confidence be passed on him (Ekezie) and the committee and the on the national leadership of the party and that no congresses should hold in Cross River State until the national convention is held.

    “Cross River would only lose the appearance of new executive in the wards, in the local governments and state. The constitution provides for that lacuna. We believe that a new leadership at the national level would help the party in the state to reap the 2019 elections. Rather than see this as a negation that would thwart the success of the party, it is indeed a cleaning surgery that is required. We are not going to take Panadol for hernia. It kills the pain but temporarily. We want a permanent solution and that is a surgical operation of Cross River APC and that is to wipe the leadership fro, top to bottom.

    “I am going to be a beneficiary if I remain in office as a Vice Chairman, but it would do this party no good, if we have to keep a perfidious leadership that is antithetical to the aims and objectives of the party and the intent and purpose for which the party was formed and the prospects and potential that this party holds for 2019. Therefore in summary, this party has resolved in Cross River State that the suspension of the conduct of the congresses in Cross River State remains in force.

    “In attendance in the meeting that came up with the resolution were the former governor of Cross River State, Clement Ebri, former members of the National Assembly, sitting Senator, sitting executive members of the state executive committee which passed a vote of no confidence him. That is the state congress and that is the highest decision making body at a moment like this. There is no congress of APC Cross River State and the suspension is in force. And anybody who wishes Cross River APC well should not do anything that breaches the peace.

    Read Also: APC’ll win Cross River in 2019, says Eta

    “The materials are in the custody of the Commissioner of Police. If the National Organizing Secretary, Osita Izunaso, has released photocopies of the materials or other materials for conduct of fresh congresses to suit his script in the state, let the world bear us witness that the materials sent to the state under Dr Ekezie Stanley are in the custody of the Cross River State Police Command signed by all stakeholders under the suspension of the congresses. This has been well documented. So anything coming as results from Cross River State APC congresses is nothing but a farce and the imagination and desperation of those who don’t wish APC Cross River well,” Obun said.

    Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of APC, Dr Eneji Chris-Valentine, concurred that the suspension remained in force.

    “There were no congresses because they were suspended. The conduct of Dr Ekezie showed that he was not going to give us free and fair election. For that reason, we told him that we lost confidence in him and can no longer hold the elections. The vote of no confidence passed on him was also passed on those who sent him, the national chairman and national organizing secretary.

    “We in the APC are saying we should all go to the field. If we fail let us fail honourably, if we win let us win honourably. Let us know the strength of APC. If we do a correct free and fair election it would have shown that APC is on ground or not on ground.

    “We would wait until when a new national chairman emerges that is going to give us free and fair congresses, then and only then shall we be ready for the congress. It is better to build your house slowly, steadily and on a sound footing than to build it shabbily and at the end of the day, the house crumbles. It is not a minus. It is an indication that the APC in the state is willing and ready for the right thing to be done,” he said.

    Cross River Police Commissioner, Hafiz Inuwa, said the materials were still in his custody.

    “Who released the materials to them to conduct the congresses? Even after 12 mid night, up to the time I am talking to you, the area commander has not told me that he has released the materials to anybody. He cannot release the materialswithout my instruction.

    “The stakeholders agreed amongst themselves after their disagreement and they said they will not entrust the congress materials to any of them hence they came to the Police and handed over the materials to the area commander in his office.

    “We prevented bloodbath on Saturday and if not for the quick intervention of the Police, what we would have heard today would have been devastating. We thank God for the police quick intervention.We are not politicians, so we are not into their games, ours is to maintain law and order,” Inuwa said.

    Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dr  Frankland Briyai said, “This morning I saw one of my electoral officers and they have not given me any report. I can only make a statement when I receive all the reports. I am waiting for the report, I wasn’t with them in the local government areas, it is only in the report that I can say, there was congress or not but for now let me wait until the report are submitted, when I receive the report, I will call the press and address them.”

  • Buhari meets Saraki, Dogara and others, over budget

    President Muhammadu Buhari is meeting with Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, behind closed doors.

    The News men report that the president is meeting the two National Assembly leaders barely two hours after his return from Daura, Katsina State.

    The President was in Daura for Saturday’s ward congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Read Also: Breaking: Buhari, Saraki, Dogara meet in Aso Rock

    Issues expected to be discussed at the meeting include the delay on the passage of the 2018 Budget, sour relationship between the executive and lawmakers, the ward congresses and botched APC primaries in Ekiti state.

    Also on the card for likely discussion was the current security situation in the country including the failure of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to appear before the senate over the issue of Sen. Dino Melaye.

    Dogara was last week quoted as saying that the IGP and the police would be held responsible for anything that happened to Melaye, currently facing two separate court trials.

    NAN

  • Kaduna: APC Committee, Senators disagree over ward Congresses

    Adamu Modibbo, Chairman All Progressives Congress ( APC ) Wards and Local Governments Congresses Committee for Kaduna State, said on Monday that the committee was satisfied with the conduct of the ward congresses in spite of protests against the exercise.

    Modibbo told Journalists in Kaduna that the exercise was conducted “peacefully in well-organized manner without any incident recorded throughout the state.“

    According to him, there was large turnout of party members for the congress and was was impressed with the orderliness they displayed during the event.

    The news men however reports that Sen. Shehu Sani (APC Kaduna Central) and Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi (APC Kaduna North) had separately told newsmen that the congresses did not hold in any part of the state.

    Modibbo insisted that the congresses held in accordance with the party’s guidelines.

    “We met with the APC stakeholders at the party secretariat after which we constituted three member congress committees for all the wards and gave them all the needed materials for the exercise, promptly.

    “Some aspirants, including their leaders requested for forms from us and once they met the stipulated conditions, showing evidence of payment, we gave them the forms.

    Read Also: Congresses: APC asks aggrieved members to appeal

    “Those were few of the measures we took and to the glory of Allah; the preparedness of the party leaderships at all levels in the state, the exercise is a huge success. We are highly satisfied, “Modibbo said.

    Meanwhile, Hunkuyi said at a news briefing that the elective congress did not hold in any of the 255 wards in the state as stipulated by the APC constitution.

    “Our members had by the provision of the guidelines and the APC Constitution paid the required fees for the nomination forms into the APC accounts and collected tellers for the 9,453 positions to be contested in 255 Wards across the 23 LGs involving 37 different positions in each of the Wards across the State.

    “The APC State Congress Committee in a very frustrating outing gave our members the Nomination Forms for only Two Local Governments out of 23 LGs around 3:55a.m and that was at the wee hours of the Congress date of 5th May, 2018.

    “It must be noted that even those who collected the forms were already programmed for disqualification as the guidelines for the conduct of the congresses, stipulates that all aspirants must return the forms 24 hours before the date of the congresses.

    “Thus given the scenario above, our members were left with no other option than to troop to the venue of the Ward Congress by 8: 00 a.m. of the same morning carrying the bank tellers and APC membership Cards in order to participate at the Congress.

    “However, to our utmost surprise, no official of the APC-Ward Congress Committee showed up in any of the 255 Wards Areas from 8:00 a.m., neither in the morning nor throughout the day.

    “This is in contravention of the guidelines and directives of President Muhammadu Buhari that urges for conduct of elective Congresses in conformity with provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act and the APC Constitution.”

    He, however, said that they would lodge a formal complain to the APC Congress Committee, the party’s National Working Committee and other relevant organs of the party.

    NAN