Tag: APC

Salihu Moh. Lukman, a former member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has advocated for comprehensive internal reforms within the party to bolster its electoral prospects in the 2027 general elections.

He said the reform becomes necessary if the party must avoid the misfortune that befell the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which led to its defeat by the APC in 2015.

The former national vice chairman (North West) who made the call in a statement titled, “Wither Nigerian Democracy: Urgency of Rebuilding Political Parties” in Abuja on Sunday, April 14, said the proposed reforms would enhance functional organs of the party and deepen Nigerian democracy.

The former director general of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) also said the issue of party funding must equally be resolved beyond the current reality of dependence on elected representatives.

He lamented that over the years the ruling party has drifted from the vision of its founders, hence the need for his proposed reforms.

Agreeing that APC, unlike other political parties can carry out the much-needed reforms.

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“The whole issue of activating all party structures and making them functional in line with provisions of the APC Constitution must be guaranteed. Once APC, being the ruling party, can operate based on the provisions of its constitution can be guaranteed, the campaign to reform Nigerian politics and expand democratic space will be made much easier.

“If organs of the party are meeting regularly, problems of impositions of candidates will be minimised. In any case, issues leading to the imposition of candidates are made possible and stronger because the organs of the party vested with the responsibility of decisions regarding party primary are undermined.

“Consequently, party stakeholders who should have a say in decisions that can guarantee free and fair primary are marginalised. As much as party organs are meeting as prescribed by the party Constitution, incidences of imposition will be minimised.”

On party funding, the APC Chieftain argued that there was no reason why the ruling party could not operate a National Annual Budget of over N100 Billion.

“Note that the National Annual Budget should cover the operations of all party organs, from National to States, Local Governments and Wards. It is only when a ruling party can operate a National Annual Budget of more than N100 Billion that the condition of service for party leaders at all levels can be benchmarked with public service conditions.

“So long as conditions of service for party leaders is below that of public service, party leaders will continue to subordinate themselves to elected leaders and capacity to hold elected representatives accountable to the party will be weak.”

To APC leaders, especially President Tinubu to consider his proposals for internal reforms, he said: “I strongly believe that reforming the APC and making all organs of the party functional, resolving challenges of party funding, operating an Annual National Budget of more N100 Billion and benchmarking conditions of service of party leaders at all levels with public service conditions, combined, would deepen Nigerian democracy, return APC to its founding vision of emerging as a progressive party.

“Achieving this when the next general election is more than three years away, would confer stronger electoral advantages to the APC. For other parties, to effectively compete against the APC, they will need to be equally reformists and not conformist.”

Political Officeholders Have Been Advised Not To Take The Opportunity Of Their Positions To Amass Wealth For Themselves But To Work For The Interest Of The People. 

The Deputy State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Honorable Moshood Mayegun, who offered the advice during distribution of food palliatives and cash by a member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Dolapo Enitan-Badru in Isale-Eko, Lagos, said the major problem facing the country’s democracy is that most politicians are into politics for personal interest.

Read Also: Ondo guber: APC clears Aiyedatiwa, Ibrahim, Oke, 13 others

He stated that the lawmaker representing Lagos Island Federal Constituency 1 has proved to be a true representative of his people by bringing dividends of democracy to the grassroots.

Mayegun explained that the lawmaker is accessible, very kind, and a leader who always puts his Constituency’s interest before his interest while calling on other politicians in Lagos Island to emulate his good gesture.

Former Chairman of Lagos Island Local Government, Chief Abiodun Carew also commended Dr Enitan-Badru for his good representation.

Responding, Dr. Enitan-Badru expressed gratitude to members of his Constituency for the opportunity given him to serve them.

No fewer than 2500 constituency members benefited from the food and cash palliative, which is the series of programmes lined up by the federal lawmaker.

• Party thanks Tinubu for appointment

The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed insinuations that the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Dr. Dennis Otuaro, is not a member of the platform.

The party said in a statement that Otuaro is not just a bona fide member of the APC but is also a key financier and supporter of the chapter.

The statement was endorsed by the State Secretary, Akarogbe Peter; Delta South Senatorial Chairman, Prince Austin Oribioye; State Auditor, Amabiri Paul Azorbo; Youth Leader, Napoleon Kenerekedi; and Welfare Secretary, Ayu Hoplyn.

Read Also: Onu’s death a big blow – APC NWC members

It said: “We, the executive members of APC in Delta South, wish to state without equivocation that Dr. Dennis Otuaro (PhD) is a bona fide, card-carrying member of our party, the APC; he has made outstanding sacrifices and contributions to the party since 2019. His contribution in the last general election in Delta State cannot be swept away by mischief makers.”

The party said it was unaware of a group that published an advertorial in some newspapers alleging that Otuaro was not its member in Delta State.

It stressed that the authors of the advertorial were neither members of the APC nor known to the party.

The statement said: “This group is not known to the APC in Delta South and indeed the entire state. Also, the supposed Coordinator, Comrade Clever Fomana, and Secretary, Luke F. Orotoma, are non-existent characters created by disgruntled people to cause unnecessary distraction in our party.”

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the death of the first civilian governor of Abia state, Ogbonnaya Onu as a big loss to the party and the country.

The former Minister of Science and Technology reportedly died in a health facility in Abuja on Thursday, April 11, following a brief illness.

Expressing their condolences, two members of the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Vice Chairman (South-East) of the party, Ijeoma Arodiogbu and Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru lamented the departure of the 72-year-old politician.

Confirming the death of the former minister, whom Arodiogbu described as one of the shining lights of the southeast region and a founding father of the APC, the NWC member said the late politician nursed an undisclosed illness for a while before his death.

According to the APC zonal chairman, “He has been ill for a while and had not been seen in public circle. Ogbonnaya Onu was a wonderful man. He was one of our best. You remember he was a presidential candidate but had to drop his ticket for Chief Olu Falae when the presidency was zoned to the South West.

“During the merger, he was one of the founding fathers of the party and remained a party man until his death. He was a big wig of the party in the South East. We will miss him so much,” he stated.

Read Also: APC shifts screening of Ondo governorship aspirants to tomorrow

In the same vein the Deputy National Organising Secretary and former member of the House of Representatives, Nze Duru described the late Onu as a deliberate and focused ‘gentleman whose death was a big blow to the ruling APC.

He said: “I also just heard about the sad news from a credible source. Although I don’t have all the details yet, we are waiting for the announcement by the family before we can make an official comment on his death.

“He was a gentleman, focused and very deliberate. Everything we know about life is a continuum. He has run his race and gone to his maker. We can only continue to wish for his soul to be at rest wherever he is.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has knocked Governor Ademola Adeleke for attending parties in Lagos State and shunning workers plight.  

Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal in a statement on Tuesday stated that despite receiving over N200billion in 15 months, Adeleke owes civil servants wage award. 

According to him: “Despite hardship in Osun State, Adeleke turned himself to a video vixen, twerking at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, last Wednesday during 82nd birthday anniversary of the ace Juju musician, Ebenezer Olasupo Obey-Fabiyi popularly known as ‘Ebenezer Obey at a time the civil servants and pensioners in the state were yet to receive their wage award for the month of March.”

“The timing was most inappropriate for a governor who has not deemed it fit to discharge his statutory obligations at home, despite the increased federal allocation to the state.

Read Also: Adeleke to build N5billion world class research, innovation hub at LAUTECH

“I keep wondering why Governor Adeleke who could not justify the receipt of the over N200 billion (net) in Federal allocation within the 15 months of his administration, coupled with N14 billion cash in bank he inherited from the former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, is always comfortable attending night clubs, disco parties and social events in Lagos and Abuja.”

But Osun PDP Chairman, Sunday Bisi, said that APC is depressed because of superlative performance of Adeleke, leading to blind fabrication of fake news, false figures and outright lying. 

He advised that APC should toe path of honour by conceding defeat before the 2026 election.

According to him: “Governor Adeleke has clearly overwhelmed the opposition and that the reactive strategy of dishing out propaganda and deliberate misinformation has further reduced the opposition approval rating to below 10 percent with that of Mr Governor at super high level.”

“Governor Adeleke is making significant impact which is acknowledged by residents and non-residents and which has earned the Governor many unsolicited awards from several reputable media and non-governmental platforms.

“Osun is in love with a Governor who is tasking himself and all appointees on the implementation of ongoing multi-billion naira infra plan that is designed to address the inherited 80 per cent infrastructure deficit.”

Sixteen All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants in Ondo State will be screened on Friday ahead of the April 20 primary. 

They will be screened after the inauguration of the Screening Committee and the Screening Appeal Committee by the National Working Committee (NWC).

This followed the clearance of the 16 aspirants who purchased and submitted the expression of interest and nomination forms by the Vetting Committee headed by the National Legal Adviser, Prof. Abdul Karim Kana.

The Nation gathered on Tuesday from the APC Organisation Directorate that the seven-man Ondo State Gubernatorial Election Screening Committee are will be inaugurated on Friday by 9 am at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja.

The Screening Committee is to be chaired by former Gombe Deputy Governor  Senator Joshua Lidani while Hon. Bimbo Daramola will serve as Secretary.

Other screening committee members are: Pastor Jones Erue; High Chief Second Bakor; Magaret Duru; Prof. Chukwudi Ledirick and Hon. Abdul Rahim Balogun.

For the five-man Screening Appeal Committee, Senator Oseni Yakubu will serve as Chairman and Hon. Abu Bakar Nuhu Danburam will serve as Secretary.

Others are Engr. Emmanuel Ekeh, Hon. Pious Idele and Hon. Ibrahim Magaji Dosara.

The Nation also gathered the report of the Vetting Committee submitted on Monday cleared all the 16 aspirants to appear before the Lidani Screening Committee on Friday.

The report by the committee dismissed the allegation of certificate forgery levelled against Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The report reads: “Based on the findings of the vetting process, the committee recommends that all aspirants are cleared to participate in the screening exercises.

“The Vetting Committee is confident that the vetting process has been conducted with integrity and transparency.

Read Also: APC will retain Ondo, Ganduje boasts

“The committee’s recommendations are aimed at ensuring that only qualified and credible aspirants are presented for the party primaries, in line with the party’s commitment to internal democracy and good governance.”

The Nation also gathered that the Organisation Directorate has grouped the 16 governorship aspirants into four baskets and time was allotted to each of the baskets for the effective screening of all the aspirants.

The party had slated the screening of aspirants for the 11th and 12th of April but the extension of public holiday to mark this year’s Eld- fitir has forced the party to conduct the exercise on Friday.

The first screening basket has Governor Lucky Ayiedatiwa; former National Vice Chairman (South West) Hon. Isaccs Kekemeke and Olusola Adewale Ehinlanwo.

Former Chief Executive Officer, Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) Olugbenga Omogbemi Edema will lead the pack in the second screening basket. Others in the pack are Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Engr. (Mrs) Olufunmilayo Waheed Adekojo and Akinfolarin Mayo Samuel.

The third screening basket has Hon. Adewale Akinterinwa, Chief Olusola Alexandria Oke (SAN), Ohunyeye Olumide Felix, Barrister Morayo Lebi and Garvey Oladiran Iyanjan.

The last screening basket has Prof. Francis Adebayo Faduyile, Engr. (Mrs.) Omogoroye Folakemi Judith, Engr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele and Omo’Oba Okunjimi Odimayo John.

Confirming the screening arrangement a party official in the Organisation Directorate, who spoke in confidence, said that all the aspirants have been informed on the time to appear before the screening committee.

According to our source: “The screening exercise is to commence immediately after the inauguration of the screening committee and the screening appeal committee billed to hold by 9 am.

“We have equally notified all the aspirants when to appear before the screening committee.”