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Tag: APC Convention

  • 6,800 delegates for APC convention

    About 6800 delegates are expected at the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Secretary of the Convention Committee Senator Victor Ndoma Egba, said yesterday.

    Ndoma Egba dispelled speculations that the convention would be shifted because of lack of funds, saying the convention would go ahead as planned.

    The former Senate leader said efforts were being made to resolve all pending issues from the states, especially those with court cases.

    Dismissing reports of the likely postponement of the convention, he said “It is not correct. The convention is going on as planned. Nothing has happened to suggest the contrary. So, I can say categorically that the convention is going ahead.

    “We are expecting about 6800 plus delegates. Of course you know that we will have observers, vendors, the media, entertainers. In all you should expect about 8000 people.”

    On disputes from the states as a result of ward, local and state congresses, he said: “We are hoping to resolve those issues before the convention, especially in states where we have court processes. We are working to resolve them in one way or the other. This is politics and at the end of the day, you must leave a window open for harmonization and reconciliation.”

    On the outcome of the screening of the 179 aspirants for the various offices, he said “the screening committee finished its assignment yesterday. As we speak, the screening appeals committee is sitting. After the screening, there is an appeals panel to review the cases of those who feel aggrieved with the outcome of the screening committee’s assignment.

    He also dismissed alleged pressure on the committee from the Presidency, saying “I am not aware of any pressure from the Villa. I have never received any call or invitation from the Villa. I have been allowed to do my work as best as I can. So, I am not aware of any pressure.”

    On the convention, he said: “We have a security committee and they have been interfacing with the security agencies, reviewing the strategies of not just securing the venue, but also securing the perimeters and the entire Abuja because all these people will be coming into Abuja.

    “So Abuja has to be safe and so, we are not leaving anything to chance. We have been interfacing at the highest level. I want to assure you that security will be topmost. We look forward to a very grand and successful national convention.”

     

  • APC Convention: Pro-Buhari governors, top leaders may adopt harmonised list

    Ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention, President Muhammadu Buhari may have directed all his backers to close ranks in choosing the next set of leaders to manage the party.

    Based on Buhari’s advice, it was learnt yesterday, APC governors and some top leaders of the party, who are pro-Buhari, were trying to work out a harmonised or unity list.

    Former Edo State Governor Oserheimen Osunbor’s sudden decision to run for National Chairman appears to have caused some anxiety in Buhari’s camp.

    Osunbor will vie for the office with ex-Governor Adams Oshiomhole and ex-Governor Clement Ebri.

    The three chairmanship aspirants had undergone screening with others amid fears that Osunbor was drafted by some members of a “third force” in the party.

    The Screening Committee will submit its final report to the National Convention Committee next week.

    According to sources, who pleaded not to be named, the President asked APC governors on Tuesday night in Abuja to ensure a rancour-free National Convention on June 23.

    It was learnt that as part of steps to have a smoother convention, some governors and top leaders of the party (loyal to Buhari) had been contemplating a harmonised list or a unity list in line with the wish of the President.

    The recourse to a harmonised list was meant to avert a repeat of the events which led to the choice of principal officers of the party.

    The silence of the New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) caucus in the party is said to have made Buhari’s supporters to become circumspect in the past few days.

    The President might be involved on the consensus built by the governors and party leaders.

    There are three groups in the party pledging to work for Buhari.

    But the three groups had been working at cross-purposes and there were fears in the presidency that going into the convention in a disunited form might be dangerous.

    The three groups are:

    • the reformists led by those who facilitated the coalition of parties into APC;
    • the group said to be headed by a governor;
    • and another set of eight governors who have the backing of five APC state chapters in the South-South and four in the South-East.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The people around the President are really worried that there are three distinct groups in APC working for him and pledging loyalty. To avoid a crisis at the convention, some governors have proposed a harmonized or unity list.

    “The challenge at hand is that most of the governors have been meeting on how to control the party structure. But our leaders are saying that the governors should not be ambitious to the detriment of President Buhari.

    “There are forces within and outside the party working round the clock to ensure that the President loses the APC structure at the convention.

    “Some of those planning to defect from APC to other parties are plotting a joker and loyalists of Buhari have to be careful not to be caught unawares.

    “This is why there is a push to prevail on loyalists of Buhari, governors and party leaders to close ranks. We do not want to leave any gap for division in APC.”

    The source added: “I think the next few days will be devoted to more horse-trading by governors and some leaders of the party.

    “The real danger is that without a harmonised list, the outcome of the convention can be hijacked by a third force in the party. For some offices, we have as many as seven or eight candidates. The situation is polluted by this third force.

    “So far, two governors have not been forthcoming on where they are headed at the convention. They have been attending meetings to feel the pulse of Buhari’s supporters.”

    The Chairman of the National Convention Committee, Governor Abubakar Badaru, is said to have proposed that governors and party leaders should meet at the zonal level to arrive at a consensus on candidates.

    “The options are open, we want to avoid any stalemate at the convention. We hope the zones will meet before the convention and save APC a lot of trouble,” the source added.

    Three aspirants have applied to be National Chairman. They are ex-Governor Adams Oshiomhole, ex-Governor Oserheimen Osunbor and ex-Governor Clement Ebri.

    Despite of the President’s anointing of Oshiomhole, some governors and party leaders are shocked that Ebri and Osunbor have thrown their hats into the ring.

    A party source said: “Osunbor collected chairmanship form at the last minutes and he filled it immediately. We are suspecting that a third force in the party is behind him because the Edo State chapter had already endorsed Oshiomhole. The same Osunbor was defeated by Oshiomhole at the governorship poll in 2007. There must be more to his ambition.

    “But so far, Oshiomhole is still the leading candidate. On Tuesday, the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the first Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande and seven governors paid a solidarity visit to Oshiomhole at his campaign office in Abuja.

    “The governors who visited Oshiomhole are:  Umar Tanko Al-Makura(Nasarawa); Yahaya Bello(Kogi);  Ibikunle Amosun(Ogun);  Simon Lalong(Plateau);  Rotimi Akeredolu(Ondo); Atiku Bagudu(Kebbi); and Abdullahi Ganduje(Kano).

    Earlier, Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai had been part of the inauguration of the campaign office.

  • Anxiety over plot to scuttle APC convention

    •South-West Minister implicated in plot against Buhari, APC
    •Cracks in nPDP as leaders weigh defection options
    •PDP tactically extends deadline for Imoke’s committee

    There was anxiety yesterday over alleged plot to disrupt the June 23 National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by some aggrieved leaders and members of the party.

    One of the suspected brains behind the plot is a Minister from the South-West who is alleged to have had a midnight session with some party leaders from his state at the weekend in Abuja.

    The said leaders were first camped in Gwagwalada Council Area but were later driven under the cover of darkness to Abuja Municipal Council for further briefing.

    Authoritative party sources said yesterday that a massive plot was developing and urgent steps must be taken to calm frayed nerves and stop the alleged plan to frustrate and divide the APC during the convention.

    Investigation showed that the plot is being hatched mainly by party members who are aggrieved by the conduct of the recent congresses; those who want to create a defection scene; those opposed to the defection of certain leaders from PDP to APC; a few others who are feeling marginalized by the government and the party leadership; and those allegedly being used by the opposition party to infiltrate APC.

    One of the sources said that although the party leadership is looking forward to a hitch-free convention, “some leaders and members are plotting to scuttle it either through a court process or by creating a split in the party on June 23.”

    “Those behind this plot have reneged on the agreement to make ex-Governor Adams Oshiomhole as the sole candidate of the party. They want to sponsor more candidates for the office of national chairman of APC,” the source said.

    He added: “while some are plotting to defect from APC to another party on convention day, a few others want to form a parallel party organ in order to cause confusion.

    “We also got privileged information of moves to supply placards to some APC members to embarrass top leaders of the party.”

    One of those suspected of plotting to cause embarrassment is the Southwest minister.

    The source said the minister “is just out to join forces to embarrass top APC leaders on the convention ground.”

    The source added: “we are however being proactive to checkmate all these evil plans and have a stress-free gathering.”

    Contest for National Secretary raises tempo

    Sources identified the contest for the position of the party’s national secretary as one of the most contentious issues likely to face the party at the convention.

    Northeast governors of the party are said to be resisting moves by some forces who are encouraging a former National Chairman of PDP, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff to produce the next national secretary of the party.

    Sheriff recently rejoined the party after flirting with the PDP.

    Four contenders have emerged for the office of National Secretary of the party; the incumbent, Mallam Mai Mala Buni (Yobe); a cerebral politician, Kashim Imam (Borno); Buhari’s ardent loyalist, Waziri Bulama; and Dr. Haruna Yerima.

    A Governors’ Forum source said: “Sheriff is backing Kashim Imam (Borno) but Governor Ibrahim Gaidam is pleading with his colleagues to retain the slot in Yobe since Borno State has cornered many juicy appointments.

    “So far, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa, and I think leaders from Gombe and Taraba have agreed that Yobe should produce the party’s secretary. The governor of Bauchi State is being expected to tag along with his colleagues.”

    “Some strategists of the President, party leaders and Sheriff prefer either Kashim Imam or Waziri Bulama from Buhari Support Organization.

    “Although the governors have been extremely loyal to the President, they might not guarantee him success at the poll in 2019 if the party’s secretariat is handed over to Sheriff.”

    When contacted, a member of the National Convention Committee said: “Some members of this committee have heard of plans to disrupt the convention but we cannot authoritatively confirm it.

    “All I can tell you is that the Convention Committee will work round the clock to make it a successful one.”

    Cracks in nPDP as leaders weigh defection options

    It was also gathered that the leaders of the nPDP are no longer unanimous in their plan to dump the APC for the PDP.

    Some of leaders are currently weighing options on whether to leave or not.

    Sources said while some nPDP leaders have made up their minds to leave, a few others are yet undecided.

    “Some of our leaders have concluded plans to leave APC for other parties, especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But the time and the manner of exit are still being worked out,” one source said.

    “Some nPDP leaders have opted for a fight-to-the-finish module in APC before quitting .Their plan is to make a mess of APC and leave it in tatters before their defection. They do not want APC to have its cake and eat it.”

    Some of those likely to defect are Senate President Bukola Saraki, House of Representatives   Speaker Yakubu Dogara, Senators and many House of Representatives members from Bauchi State; Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed; ex-Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, ex-Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako; Senator Barnabas Gemade and Senator Dino Melaye.

    Some of those said to be  non-committal at the moment  are ex- Zamfara State Governor Sani Ahmed Yerima; ex-Gombe State Governor Danjuma Goje, ex-Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wammako; ex-Kebbi State Governor Adamu Aliero; ex-House of Reps Deputy Speaker Bayero Nafada; among others.

    Adamawa State Governor Jibrilla Bindo; Senator  Adamu Abdullahi; Senator  Kabiru Gaya; Senator  Ovie Omo-Agege, all of whom belong to the nPDP are likely remain in APC.

    A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said local peculiarities and some exigencies have compelled some nPDP leaders to start weighing their options.

    The source said: “Although   Dr. Saraki has not provided a beacon of where he is headed in 2019 for his loyalists and followers, the dust raised by the Offa bank robbery saga may have ended his stay in APC.

    “Even if he wants to remain in APC, his numerous supporters will not allow it. His most predictable destination will be PDP but those in the opposition in Kwara State, led by ex-Minister of National Planning, Prof. Abubakar Olanrewaju Suleiman might resist his defection. In the alternative, the PDP elements will shift base to APC. The party leadership has been asking Prof. Abubakar to put the interest of PDP above his personal ambition to be governor of the state.”

    Ex-Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, who is a member of the PDP Contact and Mobilization Committee, is said to have had informal talks with some PDP leaders in Kwara State who registered their opposition to Saraki’s return to the party.

    Continuing, the source said:  “as a politician with a strong and solid political base, the national headquarters of PDP will, no doubt, ignore its present members in Kwara State and hand over the party structure to Saraki wholesale.

    “It will be a repeat of what PDP did for Saraki in 2003 when ex-Governor Muhammed Lawal seized All Peoples Party (APP) from the late strongman of Kwara Politics, Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki.

    “But Saraki may not leave APC without a fight for the soul of the party he co-founded with other chieftains. How it will play out will be determined by the coming convention.”

    Speaker Yakubu Dogara is quoted as saying repeatedly that he can “no longer cohabit” with the APC which has sidelined him.

    The source said: “With Dogara, three Senators and most members of the House of Representatives and members of the State House of Assembly, Bauchi State may witness massive defection than any APC controlled state.

    “The recent visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Bauchi State was a pointer that the governor has lost considerable goodwill because the stadium complex (the venue of the reception) was half-filled.”

    On the situation in Gombe, the source said:  “As for Goje, his moving is going to demystify him politically. He does not have the total control of the state and about 70 to 80 per cent of his supporters will not go with him. It is politically strategic for him to remain in APC.

    “The scenario was also strange for Goje politically in 2015. Buhari got more votes in Gombe in 2011 when Goje was a sitting PDP governor than in 2015 after the ex-Governor had crossed to APC.

    “And Goje was the only APC Senator who Buhari personally campaigned for in 2015 to win his senatorial ticket. He virtually prevailed on Buhari to campaign for him in all the local government areas in his district.

    “The dynamics may have changed but it will be suicidal for Goje to defect to PDP because he is going to meet his match in Governor Hassan Dankwambo who is fully in control of his party’s structure.

    “Already, Dankwambo has a swap alliance with ex-Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sen. Bayero Nafada, who has fallen out with Goje. The alliance borders on the fact that while Nafada will succeed Dankwambo in 2019, the governor will pick his senatorial ticket if he is not elected as the presidential candidate of PDP.

    “Nafada has also not defected because he is unsure if Dankwambo will keep to their gentleman (unwritten) agreement or not.”

    Tambuwal targets PDP presidential ticket

    Governor Tambuwal is one of those sure to return to the PDP, according to investigation, with his PDP presidential ticket as his target.

    He is said to have made it clear to nPDP leaders that he will quit APC for PDP.

    The source added: “It is an open secret to Buhari and others in APC that Tambuwal is returning to PDP. This is why he has been shut out of strategic issues in the party and in the presidency. “Only on Friday, one of his loyalists, ex-Rep Isa Ashiru defected in Kaduna from APC to PDP. This is the candidate that Tambuwal is backing to defeat Governor Nasir el-Rufai in Kaduna State.

    “His greatest challenge is the readiness of loyalists of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan to stop him from being the PDP flag bearer. Although Jonathan is forgiving, his lieutenants are ready for a showdown with Tambuwal.”

    A former minister said: “It can be any candidate in PDP but not Tambuwal. We want to prove a point that he cannot ride this party roughshod. He has state resources to spend; we will pool resources together to stop him.

    “We are working with some PDP governors to campaign against Tambuwal during the presidential primaries in August. We will also show Governor Nyesom Wike that he cannot impose any presidential candidate on the party. This is the last political gamble Tambuwal will take.”

    Ex-Governor Aliyu Wammako who  is currently in Saudi Arabia  for the Umrah is believed to have lost the party structure in the state to Tambuwal, his adopted political son.

    The source reckoned that Wammako will remain in APC.

    “I think for political relevance, it pays Wammako to remain in APC and allow Tambuwal to try his luck in PDP,” he said.

    “Once Wammako is able to regain the control of APC structure, he can influence the choice of his candidate as APC governor and other elective positions.

    “Wammako has not got a fair deal for ceding power to Tambuwal. Also, Wammako has an in-law of President Muhammadu Buhari as an intimate friend cum long-standing business partner. This same friend, who has the ears of the President, has been mounting pressure on Wammako not to dump APC. He has not decided on his next move.”

    But a source in Sokoto said: “Another option is for Wammako to move with Tambuwal to PDP with the ex-governor allowed to be in charge of the party structure, nomination of candidates and others. They will have to contend with the weighty political influence of ex-Governor Attahiru Bafarawa who brought the two giants into politics.”

    Regarding ex-Governor Adamu Aliero, his present political understanding and working alliance with Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State can earn him a re-election ticket in the Senate.

    The top source said: “Feelers from Kebbi State have shown that Aliero appears not keen in defecting to either PDP or any party. In fact, when there was a crisis recently in  Kebbi APC between Buhari-Bagudu Support Group (BBSG) and Four-Plus-Four (4+4) faction, the governor appointed Aliero to mediate.

    “The ex-governor actually succeeded in reconciling the warring factions in APC in Kebbi State. The signs are not there that he is aggrieved like a few nPDP leaders. He might be attending nPDP meetings merely on the sideline.”

     

    Kwankwaso’s destination yet unknown

    Although ex-Governor Kwankwaso appears to have made up his mind to dump the APC, his destination remains unclear.

    A source said it could be either PDP or SDP.

    The hijack of the APC structure in Kano State  by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje has left Kwankwaso’s prospect in the ruling party bleak.

    A source said each time he is advised by his colleagues to remain in APC, his usual response   is: “What else do you want me to do? Do you want me to remain where I am being maltreated?”

    Whatever is his choice of party; Kwankwaso may walk alone because the two other Senators from the state, Kabiru Gaya and Jibrin Barau and many members of the House of Representatives may not follow him.

    Kwankwaso’s media aide, Hajiya Binta Spikin however said: “My principal remains in APC, he has not given a hint of defecting to another party.”

    A party source said: “In Kano, it is about individual survival. Some of us prefer to be with the governor to get our ticket back for re-election. The era of dying because of any politician is gone.”

    A member of the House of Representatives said: “some of us from Kano have not decided because we want to give the incoming National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole a chance to redress some of the wrongs in the party and reinvent APC.

    “You know the outgoing National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun ,was all his life a civil servant, he cannot negotiate. But as a trade unionist, Oshiomhole is a powerful negotiator and having been a governor for eight years, he knows what to do to reconcile all.”

    Adamawa’s Bindo in tinder-box

    The situation in Adamawa State has left Governor Jibrilla Bindo in a tinder-box. Ordinarily with his achievements, he does not need to vie for survival except for political miscalculations on his part.

    The governor was earlier rumoured to be defecting from APC to PDP and SDP but the signal so far shows that he is still in APC.

    A source said: “With ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Governor Murtala Nyako in PDP, the terrain will be tough for Bindo. If Bindo had been circumspect in his comments when Atiku defected, it would have been easier for him to leave APC for PDP. In one step, he is with Buhari, and when he takes another step, he likes Atiku.

    “The seizure of APC structure and alienation of party chieftains like Marcus Gundiri, ex-Military Administrator of Lagos State, Gen. Buba Marwa, ex-SGF Babachir Lawal and ex-EFCC chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu have made the political terrain difficult for the governor to navigate.

    “Bindo’s saving grace will be the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Sen. Binta Masi Garba and a beloved and crowd puller aspiring senator, Aishat Dahiru Modibbo Binani.

    “Yet he needs to appease the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Christians in the state. “Out of 20 appointments he made recently, there was no single Christian in a heterogeneous state like Adamawa. Bindo has to be decisive on his political future.”

    PDP bids time over defection of APC chieftains, extends tenure of Imoke committee

    In anticipation of mass defection from APC and realignment of forces, the PDP has technically extended the timeline of its Contact and Mobilization Committee which is headed by ex-Governor Liyel Imoke.

    Other members of the committee are  former governors Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), and Gabriel Suswam (Benue);  former Aviation Minister Kema Chikwe, ex-Defence Minister,  Haliru Bello, a former Director General, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Paul Orhii, among others.

    In setting up the committee, party chair, Prince Uche Secondus charged it to “help open the space and allow into our party, all those whose union with us can help in rescuing this country.”

    A PDP source said: “For exigency, the PDP leadership has again extended the timeframe of the committee. I think it was technically done to accommodate the fallout from the National Convention of APC on June 23.

    “It is too early to close our doors to defectors. The implosion is already evident in APC, we also want to benefit from it. They fuelled the crisis in PDP in 2014; we will allow their internal wrangling to fester for our own gain too.”\

     

     

  • APC convention committee secretary resigns

    The secretary of the National Convention Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu has resigned his appointment as the Secretary with immediate effect.

    A statement by his Principal Secretary, Godson Amadikwa said the decision to resign from the committee was taken for personal reasons which are,  tailored towards blighting fraying nerves and to advance the progress of APC in Imo State.

    The Senator is one of those fighting the Imo state governor over control of the APC structure in the state as a result of Okorocha’s decision to endorse his son inlaw for the governorship ticket in the state.

    While thanking the National  Chairman and the NWC for the uncommon privilege given to him to serve within this period; the senator expressed appreciation all who stood by him in this test of leadership.

    The statement said the national chairman has accepted the resignation, while wishing the senator well in his legislative duties.

  • APC convention: Oyegun breaks silence, says I won’t seek re-election

    After weeks of speculations about his political future,the  National Chairman of the All Progressives Congres (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun,  last night  confirmed that he is through with the office.

    Odigie-Oyegun told reporters in Abuja that he has decided to step aside in the best interest of the party.

    He will thus not seek re-election  at the national convention of the party scheduled for  June 23.

    He said it was his personal conviction not to seek re-election.

    But he said he would always be available to serve the party.

    The party chair  said though he had  initially desired to re-contest the position he had now  ”taken this decision without prejudice to my commitment to the party in helping to solve some of the subsisting and emerging difficult issues and my ability to continue to provide necessary leadership.”

    He added: “I believe that the party faces difficult days ahead and all critical stakeholders in its leadership would be required to bind together for a common purpose. Therefore, the less contentious our national convention is, the better for the party.

    “I have always sought to be part of solving the problem of the APC. I do not intend to be part of the problems for the APC to solve.

    “It is for this reason I hereby declare that I will not be seeking re-election as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “However, I will continue to perform my functions as the National Chairman of the party till my tenure officially ends on Monday, the 25th of June when  a new set of party executives will be inaugurated.”

    Chief Odigie-Oyegun said the decision to have the present executive remain in office in an interim capacity was to avoid going into the 2019 elections as a divided house, saying “with the 2019 general elections looming on the horizon, some of us considered it to be in the best interest of the party to go into the elections as a united fighting force, rather than one that is potentially weakened by internal conflict arising from competitive congresses.

    “It was for this reason that we canvassed and obtained the NEC decision of February 27 asking all executives of the party to continue in office in acting capacity for another period of 12 months.”

    He acknowledged the encouragement  of many stakeholders of the party at all levels who began to rally round him, saying: “I believe that these loyal party men and women instinctively chose to support me because they recognized what was in the best interest of the party at that point in time.

    “Quite fundamentally, they were demonstrating their love and commitment for the party, realizing that perhaps, what was needed most at this point in time in our history as a political party was experience and stability.”

    Only Comrade Adams Oshiomhole ,the immediate past governor of Edo State,has signified his intention to contest for the position of APC national chairman.

    He has been endorsed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

  • APC convention: Group backs Aliyu for women leader

    A group,  Women in Grassroots Politics, has called for the re-election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Woman Leader, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu.

    The group commended Hajiya Aliyu, who is also the President of the Council of African Political Parties (CAPP) in Sudan, for her commitment to democratic ideals and open door policy.

    The group applauded her willingness to address issues that are germane to the growth and development of womenfolk.

    It said: ”The way and manner she has kept the APC Women of Worth, a platform representing key voices of APC women in one-fold, is one of the reasons for wanting her to continue.”

    A member of the group and a stalwart of APC, Princess Olajumoke, said Aliyu’s open door policy and good disposition to people, irrespective of tribe, race or position, have endeared her to stakeholders.   She said: “This is a woman that will not look at you as being inferior to her. She will listen to you and be eager to attend to any issue brought to her. If you enter her office crying, you will smile on your way out,” Olajumoke enthused.

    Another member of the group, Hajia Rabiu Adama, said: “Aliyu has done what other women in her shoes has never done before now within the shortest time she got to her present position.

    “Let’s look into what she has done, from being loyal to the party, to the total support she has been giving to the  President himself. Her support for the women folks is enormous, although there is no money attached to her office for such projects.

    “After rendering help, she is not the type that goes out to be proclaiming she has done you a favour. She is indeed a silent philanthropist.

    ”Many things have happened in the party, but due to her sheer magnanimity, it never resulted into chaos. This is the type that we want to be seeing in our country.

    “We want her re-elected and if possible be given bigger responsibilities where she can impact more to the society.”

  • APC Convention: Delay is in party’s interest — Abdullahi

    APC Convention: Delay is in party’s interest — Abdullahi

    Spokesman of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ), Mr Bolaji Abdullahi, says though the delay in holding the party’s national convention does not look good, it is in the interest of the party.

    Abdullahi spoke with newsmen in Lagos on Friday, promising that another convention would hold soon.

    “We will hold our convention this year. We know the delay doesn’t look good on us, but it was in the best interest of our party,” he said.

    The party spokesman said that the delay, contrary to speculations, had not in any way violated the constitutional provisions regarding party conventions.

    Abdullahi also fielded questions on recent endorsements of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term and the reported reappointment of Mr Rotimi Amechi as the Director General of the Buhari Campaign Organisation.

    According to him, the President has yet to inform the party of his intention to run for a second term.

    He, however, said that being its leader, the party would support him when and if he does.

    “The APC is not involved in Amechi’s appointment as DG of the Buhari Campaign organisation because it is at the level of aspirant.

    “His appointment has nothing to do with the APC and the emergence of our candidate for the 2019 presidential election.

    “The President would have become the candidate of the party before it can get involved with its campaign.

    “It will be wrong for the party to be involved because it will undermine its credibility to other aspirants for the presidential ticket,” he said.

    Abdullahi said that the APC constitution has laid down procedures for the emergence of candidates, which the party would strictly adhere to.

    “We will ensure that we obey our constitution as far as the selection of candidates is concerned,” he said.

  • APC Primaries: Buhari tops primaries with 3,430 votes

    APC Primaries: Buhari tops primaries with 3,430 votes

    5:38

    Void votes = 16

    5:37

    Owelle Rochas Okorocha polls 624 votes

    5:19

    Sam Nda Isaiah polled just 10 votes

    5:18

    Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso polled 974 votes

    4:51pm

    Former President General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) has polled a total of 3,430 votes.

    15:03pm

    Atiku Abubakar polls 954 votes….

    11:45am

    General Buhari is set to win the APC presidential ticket with a wide margin of votes.

    Sorting of ballots continues, but it’s Buhari all the way.

    For every 10 ballots, five is for Buhari, with Atiku, Kwankwaso and Okorocha sharing the balance

     

    10:30am

    Former Head of State, General Mohammadu Buhari maintains  an early lead as ballot paper sorting continues at the APC Primary election in Lagos.

    Buhari has so far polled about half of the over 1,000 votes sorted.

    8.45am

    Voting has ended at the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention to produce a presidential flagbearer of the party.

    The exercise commenced at about 2am Thursday with delegates casting their votes on state by state basis.

    Sorting of ballots is presently ongoing while counting is expected to commence soon.

  • Buhari’s letter to delegates

    Buhari’s letter to delegates

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential aspirant, General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd) has urged delegates to cast their votes with best judgments and a patriotic conscience.

    The APC presidential aspirant, who pleaded for the votes of the delegates, said his presidential ambition is borne out of the desire to salvage the country from multiple crises and not for personal ambition.

    In the letter he personally signed, Buhari said: “As you gather for our convention, please remember that history, change and the hopes of Nigeria are there with you. They are there to ask you to perform according to your best judgment and patriotic conscience. I also ask you to do the same.”

    He further maintained that he would not offer any delegate cash to purchase supports because ‘the fate of Nigeria is not up for sale’.

    He added: “We seek a new Nigeria. It starts with us. It starts today. I have placed myself before you seeking your help to nominate me as your standard bearer for our progressive party, APC.

    “Nigeria is our home, let us now turn it into the great nation we know it can and should be.”


  • APC Convention: Lagos plans partial closure of Funsho William/Western Avenue Roads

    Lagos State Government has said that it will partially close Funsho/William/ Western Avenue Roads, in Surulere axis of the state so as to control traffic during the National Convention of the All Progressive Congress, holding at the Teslim Balogun stadium, Wednesday.

    The state ‘s Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, said in a statement on Tuesday that vehicular movements around the venue will be affected and congestion expected especially along, Funsho Williams /Western Avenue in Surulere, Yaba, Alhaji Masha and Costain areas.

    He explained that vehicles from Lagos Island to Surulere will be directed to exit at Costain to link Surulere via Eric Moore, while vehicles from Ikorodu road, Mushin, Yaba and the Mainland to Surulere will be directed at Ojuelegba to link Surulere via Itire- lawanson road or at Iponri via Bode Thomas.

    Opeifa added that vehicles to Agege Motor Road, Mushin and Ikorodu road from Surulere will be diverted to Bode Thomas, Eric Moore, Akerele road and Itire lawanson road to link Western Avenue and Agege Motor Road at Ojuelegba round about.

    Also vehicles from Surulere, Alhaji Masha and Shitta area to Lagos Island and Apapa will be diverted to Bode Thomas and Eric Moore to link Eko Bridge.

    He said other roads that will be partially close include Funsho Williams/ Western avenue Road from Alaka to National Stadium, Alhaji Masha Road from Shitta roundabout to Alaka and Shitta flyover.

    “Parking will be available only at the National Stadium, while pedestrian access to the convention venue will be restricted to only accredited APC members, accredited observers and accredited media personnel.”

    Opeifa said bus shuttle and taxis will be available from hotel and airport to the convention venue.