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Tag: convention

  • 2019: APC in make or mar convention

    The much-awaited national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is holding tomorrow in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), amidst fears that the crack earlier in some state chapters may widen. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN highlights the factors that will guarantee a successful exercise.

    ALL is set for the national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) holding in Abuja tomorrow. As witnessed in the past under the former ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the various interest groups within the APC are pulling the party in different directions, to position themselves ahead of next year’s general elections.

    Indications are that the APC is strategising towards a rancour-free convention, by trying to end the schisms that have rocked its various state chapters in the last one year. The crisis in some state chapters had led to the emergence of parallel delegates and parallel executives in 10 states. The states are Kwara, Delta, Rivers, Ondo, Lagos, Enugu, Kogi, Bayelsa, Oyo and Ebonyi.

    At the heat of the controversy, the APC spokesman, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, denied that there were parallel congresses in the states mentioned. He said the party recognises only congresses conducted by the committees set up by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC). Nevertheless, some aggrieved stakeholders are still making issues out of the parallel congresses.

    The party has gone ahead to swear-in the new executives that emerged at the congresses supervised by its committee. The implication of this action is that the factional groups have been shut out of the convention, because only delegates that emerged from the recognised congresses will be allowed to participate.

    But, this has not put an end to the schisms in some state chapters and this development has fuelling the speculations that the convention may not be rancour-free. In Rivers State, for instance, the faction that will produce the delegates to the convention is still not clear. The crisis in the chapter took a new dimension with the annulment of the congress that produced Mr Ojukaye Flag-Amachree as chairman. The Flag-Amachree group is the mainstream one sponsored by the Minister of Transport, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi.

    But, the former deputy chairman in the immediate past executive, Prince Peter Odike, who is loyal to Senator Magnus Abe, has taken over the chairmanship position, on the strength of the judicial annulment of the recent congresses, in the absence of the substantive chairman, Mr. Davies Ikanya, who he claimed was hospitalised.

    Odike said his executive will submit a statutory delegates’ list to the national body for the convention.  Odike buttressed his argument thus: “With the voiding of the Ojukaye Flag-Amachree midnight congress, our State Working Committee which they sought to succeed is still in place and intact.” Now, given the court ruling, which executive would the national convention committee recognise?

    In Oyo State, a faction of the party under the aegis of the APC Unity Forum has gone to court to challenge the recognition of Chief Akin Oke-led executive. Members of the forum were supporters of the former governor, the late Lam Adesina. The group calls itself Lamists. The faction faulted the process through which Oke and members of his executive emerged, saying the congress that produced them breached the party’s guidelines. The forum prayed the court to disband the Oke-led executive, which is loyal to Governor Abiola Ajimobi and declared its own congress is the legitimate one. The Lamists have snubbed the reconciliation moves by the governor.

    In Delta State, there were also two parallel executives. The group loyal to Senator Ovie Omo-Agege held its state congress and elected a state working committee, despite the postponement of the exercise by the national leadership of the party. Omo-Agege is in league with one of the governorship hopefuls, Chief Great Ogboru. The faction is said to have the Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, as its major chieftain.  At the rescheduled congress, the group loyal to the APC leader in the state, Olorogun Otega Emerhor, elected a new state executive, led by Chief Cyril Ogodo. The new executive has been sworn-in by the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) had foreseen that the crisis within the various state chapters would spell doom for the party. That was why it sought to delay the national congress for one year and extend the tenure of its members from the ward to the national level. But the uprising against the move forced President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders of the party to prevail on NEC to shelve the idea and conduct elective congresses.

    Is this scenario likely to affect the outcome of the convention negatively? A senior party official who does not want to be mentioned has ruled out the fate that befell the PDP during a similar convention before the last general election. He said the contrary to speculations making the rounds that the APC would not implode and that there would be no violence during the exercise. The source disclosed that the party has been making some moves behind the scene to reconcile the aggrieved stakeholders who lost out in the congresses.

    He said the reconciliatory moves is aimed at giving the aggrieved factional leaders a sense of belonging. He added: “Our leaders are still talking to them on the need to work together for the success of the convention and unity of purpose to confront 2019 general elections. I can assure you that we have been receiving positive response from them. There is no cause for alarm. The party is on top of the situation.”

    When reminded that some of the aggrieved party members had approached the court to scuttle the convention, he said they have the right to seek redress in the court of law and at the same time they have the right to withdraw such suit at any given time.

    But a lawyer, Mr Akin Adegbola, blamed the party’s national chairman for what he described as his inconsistency on the parallel congresses. He faulted Odigie-Oyegun’s directive that the APC chairmen in states like Rivers, Lagos and Oyo should not swear- in their executives until the issue of parallel executives were resolved.

    Adegbola said the chairman’s statement negated the earlier stance of the NEC that it would not recognise state party executives produced by parallel congresses. Odigie-Oyegun’s statement had emboldened the “dissident groups” in the party to continue their nefarious activities.

    He said: “There is no parallel executive in Lagos State chapter. Do they exist? How did they emerge? Who conducted the ward, local and state congresses for them? Some aggrieved members just assembled in a hotel and claimed to be holding state congress that was not conducted by the committee from the national headquarters of the APC and which was not supervised by the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). That is the so-called parallel executive that the Odigie-Oyegun-led executive has dignified. It is ridiculous.

    “I think Odigie-Oyegun is deliberately working against a rancour-free convention or that he is creating problems for his successor. He is also probably using the convention to settle scores with his imaginary enemies.”

    The lawyer boasted that the alleged illegality of ward and local council congresses raised by aggrieved members in some states would not affect the outcome of the convention. He said the complainants have failed to use the party’s internal conflict resolution mechanism to seek redress before rushing to court. He said issues arising from congresses are internal problems of the party which must be resolved internally.

    Another issue that is likely to cause a stir is the complaints of former members of the PDP in the party, otherwise known as the ‘new PDP’ or ‘nPDP’. They had petitioned President Buhari, alleging marginalisation by the APC controlled Federal Government. They claim that despite their contribution to the victory of the party in 2015, they have not been compensated. They had recently given an ultimatum to the ruling party to address their grievances or they will quit the party.

    But, a chieftain of the APC who is also a member of the ‘nPDP’, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, said the claim was not true. He said the ‘nPDP’ members are holding high political offices, such as Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogora; and Minister of Transport, Chief Rotimi Amaechi. He said many of them have been appointed as Chairmen and Board members by President Buhari.

    Adamu said the threat by ‘nPDP’ members to pull out of the fold, if their grievances are not addressed, is an empty one. He said: “It is not a political party. It is a block from a political group that joined the APC after its formation and registration.”

    Indeed, contrary to rumour making the rounds, the aggrieved ‘nPDP’ members, led by Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje (CON), have indicated that they will participate fully in the convention. Baraje who had been leading other members of the ‘nPDP’ in consultations with APC leadership said that his group has no cause not to attend the convention.

    The ‘nPDP’ leader said in a statement from his media office in Ilorin, Kwara State: “We are looking forward to the Saturday convention; we will be at the convention and after that, we shall see how things unfold.”

    The face-off between Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and NWC members from the Southeast region is another issue that may mar the cohesion of stakeholders from the zone. At a meeting in Abuja recently, some stakeholders announced that they have decided to return Senator Osita Izunaso, Chief George Moghalu and Chief Emma Eneukwu as National Organising Secretary, National Auditor and National Vice Chairman (Southeast) respectively. But, this development did not go down well with other stakeholders, including Okorocha.

    In this regard, majority of APC governors are rallying round Okorocha, who is also the Chairman of APC Governors’ Forum. The governors believe that the development is a plot to humiliate their leader. They have now joined forces to stop the re-emergence of Izunaso as national organising secretary. Izunaso, who is from Imo State, was an arrowhead in the allied forces of the APC stakeholders in Imo State who collaborated to pull the party structure from Okorocha. Despite Izunaso’s endorsement by the Southeast caucus of the party, the governors had reached an agreement to either force him out of the race or collaborate to vote him out on the convention ground.

    One of the governors privy to the plot was quoted as saying: “This humiliation given to our chairman could also happen to anyone of us. So, there is no way we can allow this to go like this.”

     

  • APC National Convention : 19 aspirants disqualified

    The Screening Appeals Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention has said that 19 aspirants for various party offices were screened out of the race  and will have their cases reviewed by the appeals based on the merit of their case.
    The committee also said that the appeals committee received 18 petitions from party members, either against their disqualification or against some of the aspirants who were screened by the committee.
    Chairman of the Appeals Sub-committee and Imo state Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha told newsmen during one of the sittings of the committee on Saturday that the committee has not received any petition against any of those aspiring for the offices of the National Chairman and National Secretary.
    He disclosed that the committee hope to submit its final report to the convention committee by Monday, adding that aside petitions against some of the aspirants, there was one general petition demanding for justice.
    It said that the petitioner wanted to know of members of the National Working Committee can be judge in their own case having presided over the various various congresses.
    Okorocha said “Our committee which is the sub-committee established by the national convention committee has the responsibility to entertain petitions and appeal arising from the screening committee report for all offices of the party.’
    “We have been sitting for a number of days now and we have received several petitions. We have made it public that anyone who is petitioning or being petitioned against should make available documents to support his claim or to defend himself and to make it available by mid day on Saturday.
    “As you can see, we have started receiving petitions and appeals. Right now, we have seven aspirants here. We have resolved to give everyone a fair hearing so that Justice, equity and fairness will prevail so that we prevent crisis in the party.
    “We are carefully selected Nigerians from all works of life from different states that constitute membership of this committee. We have two days to do this job and we will be submitting our report by Monday barely any other reason. We are here to work all day and all night and take our decision.
    “The screening appeal is the final appeal in this case. After this appeal committee, the next appeal will be after election appeal which will come after the convention. We are unmindful of the fact that the convention committee will need time to start printing of ballot papers for the convention and so, we will ensure that we complete this job on time.
    “So far, we have about 18 petitions before us and we have 19 persons that did not make it at the screening level. These are the things we are looking to see the merit or otherwise of their claims. We are going to use the screening committee report as a major guide to what we are doing. As soon as we are through with this, we are going to make it known to the public those who have succeeded at the appeals committee level.”
    On those who were petitioned against, he said “of course we have petitions against all other positions except that if the National Chairman and National Secretary. However, there is a general petition as to whether members of the NWC can be judge in their own case having supervised the congresses and now coming to present themselves for election. We are also looking at that.”
    On whether the committee has power to disqualify those already screened and qualified, he said “yes, if you don’t make the appeal screening, you are disqualified because there is no other appeal after this.”
    “If the appeals committee upholds the position of the screening on the 19 persons, it means they have been disqualified from contesting the election. If there is anybody who has been screened and there is a petition against him, we have power to uphold his qualification or disqualify him based on the merits of the petition.”

  • APC governors battle for control of party

    *Buni, Kashim, Bulama, Yerima battle for APC National Secretary slot
    *Okorocha in battle royale with Izunazo, South-East stakeholders
    *Gbemi Saraki leaves option open, may opt for roles in PCO
    *Buhari’s decision may hold the ace on key positions
    *Niyi Adebayo may emerge Deputy National Chairman (South)

    All Progressives Congress (APC) governors and several other party top shots are now locked in a fresh battle for the control of party structures in the wake of the withdrawal of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun from the chairmanship race.

    Odigie-Oyegun confirmed on Friday  ahead of the June 23 national convention of the APC that he would not be seeking a fresh mandate.

    He cited party’s overall interest as his reason.

    His withdrawal leaves the door wide open for ex-Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole to replace him.

    But the scramble for other offices has now sparked an intense horse-trading by governors and leaders of the party who want to install their loyalists in the various posts.

    Although Oshiomole already has the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari to replace Oyegun, the president’s strategists are perfecting plans to also  influence the emergence of the party’s next  National Secretary, Deputy National Chairman(North);  Deputy National Chairman (South); National Organizing Secretary, National Publicity Secretary and either National Women Leader or National Youth Leader.

    Some of Buhari’s strategists are understood to be working with some governors and leaders on a Unity List to guide the National Convention.

    However, the outcome of ongoing peace talks between Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the leaders of the nPDP leaders may alter or enhance the Unity List.

    Mala, Imam, Bulama Yerima seek to be Secretary

    Four party members have emerged as the leading contenders for the post of APC national secretary.

    They are the incumbent, Mallam Mai Mala Buni (Yobe); a cerebral politician, Alhaji Kashim Imam (Borno); Buhari’s ardent loyalist, Waziri Bulama; and Dr. Haruna Yerima.

    A top level party source said party leaders from Borno State have been “agitating for the zoning of the National Secretary to them since Yobe State currently occupies the position of Senate Leader. They also claim that Yobe has maintained the slot since 2014.

    “But Yobe Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam has been making a strong case for Mai Mala Buni who may have to forego his governorship ambition in 2019 to retain the seat. APC leaders have also alleged that Borno has cornered almost all appointments zoned to the North-East including Chief of Staff to the President,  National Security Adviser, Chief of Army Staff, and others.

    “Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba, and Adamawa are also demanding the office. The governors have however started discussions on how to resolve the issue amicably because the North-East is strategic for the President. Governor Kashim Shettima is coordinating mutual negotiation in this respect.”

    Shuaibu, gov’s candidate jostle for Dep. Chair (North)

    The battle for the post of Deputy National Chairman (North) is likely to be between the incumbent, Senator Lawal Shuaibu who is from Zamfara State and a yet-to-be known candidate being promoted by Governor Nasir el-Rufai and a minister who are uncomfortable that Shuaibu is from the Action Congress of Nigeria caucus of the APC coalition.

    His sin is said to be his political acquaintance over the years with a national leader of the party.

    Shuaibu is highly experienced in party politics and he is enjoying the support of his state governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari.

    Yari has already told some of his colleagues that he will support Shuaibu. Yari allegedly sent three governors to Shuaibu on his position.

    The outgoing National Vice Chairman (North-West), Inuwa Abdulkadir (Sokoto State) might face similar hurdles from el-Rufai, to get re-elected.

    A source said: “The Deputy National Chairman (North) enjoys goodwill among party leaders across the six geopolitical zones. His ongoing efforts to facilitate talks between the Presidency and nPDP leaders might add value to his campaign for re-election.

    “The only challenge facing Shuaibu is from Governor el-Rufai and a minister who are politically uncomfortable with his ACN antecedents. El-Rufai is a favourite of the outgoing National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun. But Oyegun and Shuaibu have been patching their relationship in the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

    “For instance, Oyegun has queried why he was not well-integrated in the ongoing talks with nPDP after he approved of Shuaibu’s initiative. Oyegun complained of allegedly being sidelined.

    “In spite of the fact that Abdulkadir draws much strength from the backing of Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, he has had a running crisis with el-Rufai, whose government demolished Abdulkadir’s house in Kaduna, might not leave his political fate to his political ‘enemy’ in the North-West.

     Niyi Adebayo may have an easy ride as Dep. Chair (South)

    The post of Deputy National Chairman (South) appears destined to return to Ekiti State with former governor of the state, Otunba Niyi Adebayo favoured to get it.

    He will be replacing Engineer Segun Oni who resigned recently to contest the party’s governorship primaries.

    The source rated Adebayo, a “natural choice for the office of Deputy National Chairman (South) which was recently vacated by ex-Governor Segun Oni.”

    It is also expected that Chief Henry Ajomale may emerge as National Vice Chairman (Southwest). Ajomale is immediate past chairman of the party in Lagos State.

     

    Okorocha ready to stop Izunaso’s return as Organising Sec

    The jostle for the National Organizing Secretary has pitched the Chairman of the APC Governors Forum, Governor Rochas Okorocha against party leaders in the South-East led by the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.

    While the South-East leaders have resolved to back the present office holder, Senator Osita Izunaso, the governor has vowed to resist his choice for allegedly undermining him politically and plotting his loss of party structure in Imo State.

    A top source said: “We opted for Izunaso because he has performed, and in order to sustain the tempo of checking the excesses of Okorocha. In this roforofo fight, Izunaso fits the game plan. Izunaso has his own problems but we are waging a war of liberation against Okorocha and the outgoing National Organizing Secretary is our beacon.

    “We all resolved to separate APC from Okorocha whose conduct might not earn our party electoral fortunes. He has allegedly offended the church which determines the political direction in the South-East. Okorocha is saying as the only APC governor in the South-East, he is more of a political asset than other APC leaders in the zone. He has insisted that the presidency and party leaders should listen to him.

    “But Abuja factor may set in with some loyalists of Buhari already looking forward to the choice of Emeka Nwajuba who has been a long term associate of the President.”

    Bolaji Abdullahi gets rivals for Nat.Publicity secretary post

    The battle for the office of the National Publicity Secretary may turn out to be a battle of senior editors and a blogger.

    The incumbent, ex-Minister Bolaji Abdullahi is being challenged  by his kinsman, Lanre Issa Onilu (who is in Sen. Gbemisola Saraki’s camp), ex-Tell Magazine correspondent, Duro Meseko (who is a former member of the House of Representatives from Kogi State and Abu Sidiqque (Kogi), a loyalist of Buhari being sponsored by some presidential aides.

    Another source added: “Except for the unending rivalry and crisis of confidence among some APC elders, Bolaji has handled the party’s image with maturity and professionalism.

    “His profile as a writer as added value to the image of the party. He has also not allowed prejudices to affect his role as the spokesman of the party. His measured responses to issues in recent times have endeared him to many governors and leaders of APC.

    “But the concerns about him border on the fact that Kwara State has occupied the office in the last four years to the detriment of other states in the North-Central; his political allegiance which may not favour Buhari’s agenda;  and Abdullahi’s  ambition to become the next governor of Kwara State which may leave the office vacant if he secures the ticket.

    “He also faces opposition from Kwara State where some APC leaders have maintained that the slot is meant for Kwara South Senatorial District which led to the emergence of Alhaji Lai Mohammed as the pioneer spokesman of the party.

    “The outcome of the talks between the Presidency and the nPDP leaders from Monday will determine the fate of Abdullahi. But he has to decide between a party post and gubernatorial ticket. He has to trade off one.

    “Apart from his antecedents as a former Group Politics Editor of ThisDay newspapers, the Public Relations dexterity of Lanre Issa Onilu, who once narrowly missed the opportunity of being a minister, has gained him some mileage.  He has managed the image of some high-profile clients leading to international recognition.  He is also in the camp of Sen. Gbemisola Saraki who is now a favourite of the Presidential Villa.

    “On his part, Duro Meseko, who was once a celebrated correspondent with Tell Magazine, is being supported by some APC bigwigs in the state although he belongs to James Faleke’s faction of the party. About 20 governors are said to have endorsed him but this is yet to be verified.

    “Abu Siddique, who is a famous blogger, commands the support of some presidential aides and strategists of the President. He is a sharp and blessed writer.”

    It was also gathered last night that a minister and four governors from the North-Central were meeting on the choice of the party’s spokesman.

    Investigation revealed that more aspirants may join the race in the coming week.

    A member of the National Convention Committee said: “The race is still open, we have not closed nominations at all. There are many offices and we are aware that horse-trading has started.”

    Gbemisola Saraki is said to have temporarily opted to be in the Presidential Campaign Organization of Buhari instead of being National Women Leader of APC.

    Buhari’s strategists appear to be contended with Hajiya Ramatu Aliyu (from the FCT) retaining her position as National Women Leader.

    A source described her yesterday as ‘not harmful.’

    Another source in Buhari’s camp said: “The President holds the ace on some strategic positions in the party including chairmanship, National Secretary, Deputy National Chairman(North);  Deputy National Chairman(South); National Organizing Secretary, National Publicity Secretary and either National Women Leader or National Youth Leader.

    “Our camp is interested in at least seven key positions. We can no longer take things for granted.”

     

  • ‘Why I resigned as APC Convention Secretary’

    Secretary of the national convention planning committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu who resigned his membership of the Committee on Friday has disclosed that he took the decision to attend to family matters and not because of any case of fraud.
    However, following Uwajumogu’s resignation, the party has announced the appointment of former Senate leader and current Chairman of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator Ndoma Egba as Secretary to the committee.
    Uwajumogu told a news conference on Saturday that he resigned to enable him attend the graduation of two of his children at the university in England which coincides with the June 23 date of the convention.
    According to him,  when he accepted to serve, it was with the believe that the convention will hold on May 14 and later June 2.
    He also said that he is not unaware that Imo state Governor, Rochas Okorocha has allegedly spent the last two weeks in Abuja plotting to have him removed from the committee, with threats that he will leave the party if he is not replaced.
    Uwajimogu who is one of the APC chieftains in Imo state that have been having a running battle with the incumbent governor of the state Rochas Okorocha over the recently conducted congresses, said the governor has been doing everything possible to implicate him.
    He said he is aware of some other social media reports that he was forced to resign over financial misappropriation, saying his resignation will clear the air on some of the accusations against him.
    “I want to announce to you that yesterday, I tendered my resignation as the Secretary of the APC Convention Planning Committee and the resignation was accepted last night by the national chairman of the party.
    “The reason why I resigned, primarily is that when I was appointed, the date for the national convention, as we were informed, was to be on May 14. Eventually that date was moved to June 2 and there were hopes that the Convention would hold between June 2 and 9. However, the date has now been moved to June 23 and it will conflict with my family activities and responsibilities.
    “For example, two of my children are graduating from the university in England within this month and I have a responsibility to be there and I have some other jobs at Hans too.
    “So, I decided that since I wont have the time for this convention, I should resign so that the position can be given to somebody who has the time. It is a decision that I took by myself. In my letter thank the national chairman and the Convention committee for all the support I received while I was here”.
    Speaking on his relationship with Governor Okorocha, he said “my relationship with him is not a personal thing. It is something that all of us in Imo state are opposed to the way government in Imo state is being run.
    “Our opposition to that is something that is based on principle; based on the fact that 95 percent of Imo citizens and indeed south easterners are not happy with what is happening in Imo state. South east citizens are ashamed, that the only state we, APC, have in the region is being run the way it is in the past three years and for me, I did not have a choice than to detach myself from that government.
    “As a matter of fact, I am happy now that I have resigned. I am aware that the governor is supporting some south east citizens to run for offices zoned to the region and so now that I have resigned, nobody will accuse me of manipulating the process”.
    The Senator dismissed claims that his exit may threaten the convention saying the committee had concluded virtually all arrangements to hold the exercise despite having received only N13 million so far for its activities.
    “Now that I have resigned, I can only hope that my governor, Rochas Okorocha will spend more time in Imo state attending to the various issues that he has created for himself because in the last two weeks, he has been here in Abuja running around for the Convention and trying to put only people that are favourable to his policies.
    “Okorocha has always threatened to leave the party if the Congresses were not reversed. I hear he has threatened to leave if my position was not taken….This started more than two weeks ago and it is just a coincidence because I had made up my mind to leave. I am just hoping that now that I have left, he will return to Owerri. He has 27 hospitals he said he has built which have been overtaken by weeds. Imo state is a massive basket of fraud and I am very sure that the EFCC have their records.
    “It is very clear today, that this is no longer an Imo issue but a south east issue. It is very clear now that the entire south east has lost confidence in the leadership of Rochas Anayo Okorocha and all we are saying is that Nigerians should take note that we no longer have him as our leader.
    “My appointment was by the NWC and nobody has asked me to leave this position. The NWC met yesterday and there was no where in their meeting where I was asked to resign. It is a decision I made by myself. However, in any decision you take, there must be political consequences”.
    He confirmed earlier reports that the Presidency and close associates of the President sent nomination to the committee to be included in the subcommittees, saying “We have a total of about 20 members for each committee and the committees are 12. That makes it 240 members. In that regard, the NWC sent about 108 people to the committee.
    “We got nominations from different groups. The Buhari Support Organization, the Buhari Campaign Organization, the wife of the president and various interest groups in the APC including diaspora organizations and of course, there is no way I will be a member and the Secretary of the national convention and I will not have nominees in the Convention.
    “I brought about 18 members of my own which was granted to me and approved by the national convention chairman. Some of my nominees are Yorubas, northerners and Igbos. Aside the nominees to the subcommittees, I have a secretariat to run and I have my own staff who have been working with me from when I was a Speaker and who of course are people that I trust for this sensitive position.
    “My supporters are always here all the time and the impression created is that all the people you find here are working for the Secretary. People come here so that their businesses could be patronized by the Convention committee and I have forwarded such proposals to the various subcommittees”.
    Meanwhile, National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi confirmed the resignation and the appointment of Senator Ndoma Egba as the committee secretary, saying the party hierarchy had since accepted the resignation of Sen. Uwajumogu.
    The APC spokesman dismissed reports that the former secretary was forced to resign as a way of acquiescing to the demands of his state governor, Rochas Okorocha who had threatened to dump the ruling party should his request for a new Scribe be turned down.
    “It is not a trade off. To the best of my knowledge, the reasons he gave were personal and the National Working Committee NWC has appointed somebody else, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba. I do not know how that can be a trade off because if it is so, I think his replacement should have been another person from Imo but the new appointee is from Cross River,” he said.

  • APC forms go on sale for May 14 convention in Abuja

    All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun yesterday urged leaders at all levels to put the party in a political fighting mood to overcome the challenges of next year’s general elections.

    The National Convention Committee (NCC) announced that forms for those wishing to contest for positions in the National Working Committee (NWC) would go on sale from tomorrow.

    It also announced that the May 14 national convention will take place in Abuja.

    Inaugurating the Jigawa State Governor Abubakar Badaru-led NCC, Oyegun said the party had ahead a tough election, which it must approach as a united house.

    Oyegun said the need to respect Ramadan accounted for the choice of May 14 for the national convention.

    He said: “The task that you have undertaken to perform is a heavy and tough one. The APC is known, in spite of induced controversies, for the cleanest primaries and congresses. Our last presidential primary was by all account one of the best ever held and, I dare say, anywhere. It was a convention that was watched worldwide and you are supposed to repeat the feat.

    “I have no doubt that this one, given the controversies that have preceded it, will also be a most watched convention. So, you have the task of producing a convention that is free, fair and provide a level playing field for anybody who wants to aspire to any position.

    “I am passing the bulk over to you today. At the end of this exercise, I want to see a reunited APC under whatever leadership your exercise brings up. We have a tough election ahead of us and we must prime ourselves for that election.

    “We must not cuddle ourselves with any false sense of being the party in power. Our population today is much more aware of their rights than they have ever been before. So, as you proceed, please ensure that all these views and opinions are brought together into a one United APC.”

    “The signs are clear that this is a living party, the signs are clear that this is a vibrant party. The signs are clear that this is a party whose leadership is committed and dedicated, in spite of current event, to make sure that this party is in a political fighting mood for the 2019 elections.

    “Everybody here has been specially chosen as everybody here represents major interests in the party. I am sure that everybody here is aware that the task you are going to undertake now is a major one.”

    Badaru said the actual number of delegates will be known after the conduct of local government congresses to elect delegates for the convention.

    Badaru assured the party that the committee would deliver on its mandate, saying: “We will do all it takes to come out stronger and united out of that convention.

    “God is with us and God will continue to support us because of our clear vision, our good heart and our love for the people of Nigeria. We all know that our leader has no business in running this government, except for the care of our people. Most of us you see in APC are in the party today to serve our people. Our mission in APC is to rescue the country from near collapse we saw around 2014 and 2015.”

     

    Make party’s interest paramount, Tinubu advises committee

    All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday urged the ruling party’s Nationa Connvention Committee (NCC) to make the greater interst of the party paramount.

    In a statement, the formerLagos State governor described Jigawa State Governor Abubakar Badaru, who is the NCC chairman as a man of “high character and integrity.”

    The statement signed by Tinubu’s Media Adviser Tunde Rahman said: “I congratulate the Chairman and members of the Congresses/Convention Committee of our party, the All Progressives Convention, just inaugurated to take charge of the conduct of the forthcoming congresses and national convention.

    “Jigawa State Governor Abubakar Badaru, who is the chairman of the committee, is a man reputed to be of high character and integrity.

    Tinubu APC
    Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu

    “Working with other members of the committee, I’m persuaded that our party would conduct hitch-free congresses at all levels and the national convention.

    “I also congratulate our party for embarking on the congresses against all odds. This is the way to go if we are desirous of building and upholding a truly democratic political party. Our ultimate goal should be the greater interest of the party.

    “I believe that all members of our party are high in expectation that the committee would perform its assignment without fear or favour through which our party can be great again.”

  • APC to hold convention May 14

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday announced that its National Convention to elect officers for a new term in the party’s leadership would hold on May 14.

    According to schedule of activities released by the Organising Secretary, Sen. Osita Izunaso, in Abuja, the party’s Ward Congresses will hold on May 2, while appeal that may arise from the conduct will be entertained on May 3.

    The schedule showed that local government area congresses would hold on May 5, with appeal arising from the exercise fixed for May 7.

    It indicated that May 9 is the date for congress at states’ level to elect executive committees of the party in all states in the country.

    It fixed May 10 for hearing of appeal that may arise from the conduct of the state congresses.

    NAN

  • APC protests Baraje’s inclusion in convention panel

    Chieftains of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State have rejected the inclusion of Kawu Baraje, a former factional chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the APC convention committee.

    Under auspices of Caucus for Progressive Change (CPC), the chieftains said his membership  might “lead the party to the slaughter slab”.

    They described Baraje as a disloyal member, whose allegiance is not to the party and its government, but to a personality.

    A statement yesterday by its chairman, Abdullahi Samari, said: “The leadership of APC is on the verge of getting it wrong again. The inclusion of Baraje serves no progressive motive but that of those individuals bent on destroying APC and already looking elsewhere for asylum.

    “These instances would suffice that Baraje has publicly denigrated the party and its government in the past. Baraje, at an event organised by the Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union (IEDPU) in 2017, said the economic crisis, unemployment and poor leadership of the day should be forgiven because his leader, Dr. Bukola Saraki, would soon find a way out of the debacle. The audio really went viral.

    “It is fashionable in Kwara State today to find one lackey or the other of the Senate President lashing out at President Muhammadu Buhari or the APC. The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Ahmad Ali, stole the show last week at a media parley to lampoon President Buhari because his godfather is currently in court for false declaration of assets. Would any member seeking a better future for the party indulge in these acts?

    “We are taken aback that in a state where there are factions within the party, why would the leadership, which is interested in peace and progress, tilt to a side? This is not the senate chamber where the Senate President must take the first.”

    The caucus appealed to the leadership of APC and President Muhammadu Buhari to remove Baraje from the committee and replace him with a neutral and loyal member from the state.

    “Otherwise, the inordinate interest of the Senate president in this convention committee will be served through Baraje, who sees nothing bad in the death of the party,” the statement added.

  • National Convention: APC names 68-member committee

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has constituted a 68 member committee for its planned elective national convention with governors dominating the list.

    The composition of the committee which was announced on the newly hoisted official website of the party and its official Facebook page which was made public on Sunday morning confirmed week-long speculations that the Governor of Jigawa state will head the convention committee.

    The Committee headed by Jigawa state governor, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar has the Governor of Ondo state, Rotimi Akeredolu as deputy Chairman while Senator Ben Uwajumogu who served in the APC Technical Committee that put a final nail  tenure elongation is to serve as secretary of the convention committee.

    Also listed as members of the committee are Governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Bindo Jibrilla (Adamawa), Yahaya Bello (Kogi) and Godwin Ibaseki (Edo).

    The committee also include both former and serving senators, former and serving members of the House of Representatives, representativrs of women and youth as well as persons with disability and APC coalition groups.

    The announcement of the convention committee was signed by the National Organising Secretary of the party, Senator Osita Izunaso. 

    The announcement was silent on when the committee will be inaugurated as well as when the convention is expected to hold, but the tenure of the present National Working Committee  the party is expected to end in June this year.

    Attempt to make the current members of the National Working Committee to continue in office acting capacity was truncated when President  Muhammadu Buhari raised objections to it, saying the idea contravene the constitution  the party and the Nigerian constitution.

    The President’s rejection  the tenure elongation plot led to the setting up of the Governor Simon Lalong led Technical Committee which recommended that the national convention be held to elect new leaders, while members of the National Working Committee should be given waiver to seek reelection instead of resigning their position first as provided for in the party constitution.

    The technical committee also recommended the retention of the current zoning formula apparently to allow the current occupants to seek re-election into their various offices.

    It was however not clear when the party will constitute similar committee to conduct congresses into the ward, local government and state executive committees which has already expired.

    The Technical Committed recommended that “The conduct of congresses is preferable provided that constitutional and legal conditions requisite to the conduct of a valid elective congress and convention as contained in the road map are met.

    “In the event that it is impossible to fulfill the constitutional and legal conditions requisite to the conduct of a valid elective congress and convention, the party may, as a last resort, leverage on the NEC resolution of 27th February 2018 which in our view is lawful in the circumstances.”

    The committee said further that “There is apprehension that the holding of congresses and convention may exacerbate the crisis that led to the setting up of the reconciliation committee headed by Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu in the first instance and may eventually lead to factionalisation of the party and or the emergence of parallel bodies within the party. Such scenario may jeopardize the interest of the party in the oncoming general election.

    “Beyond this, should the factionalisation , rightly or wrongly be taken to the national level and subject to court action, cross carpeting may become the order of the day in the party.

    “It is in the above situation that the National Executive Committee considered upon which it took the decision to create caretaker committees out of the present Executive and other organs of the party as same is necessary to protect, advance and consolidate the gains and interests of the party.”

    It also acknowledge the fact that the reconciliation committee set up by the President  which was yet to conclude its report, stressing “It is also important to note that the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu led reconciliation committee is yet to conclude its work and present a report to the President or the party on the reconciliation of aggrieved members.

    “The committee recommend that the reconciliation committee expedite and conclude its assignment.

    “The committee recommend the retention of the existing zoning formula to enable the present officers who are desirous of re-contesting to do so and thereby avoid needless crisis or division in the party.

    “From information at the disposal of the committee, conducting congresses may now be fraught with logistic challenges, especially due to paucity of fund. The committee advises the party to explore all means to overcome this challenges.”

    National Publicity Secretary who confirmed the decision taken at NEC said it was only a stop gal measure, pointing out that there is nothing constitutional about it and dismissed insinuations that the leadership may leverage on that to ensure that congresses and convention does not hold.

    He said “I can assure you that we are preparing for congresses and convention. The congresses and convention will hold and so, there is nothing like anybody leveraging on that to ensure that congresses does not hold so that some people will remain in office”.

  • PDP convention was transparent, says Moro

    PDP convention was transparent, says Moro

    Former Minister of Interior Comrade Patrick Abba Moro has described the national elective convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the most transparent, successful and peaceful convention ever conducted by the party.

    Moro, a chieftain of the PDP from Benue State, who made the remark in an interview in Abuja, noted that the dissolved National Caretaker Committee (NCC), led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, eventually kept to its promise to ensure transparency and fairness in the conduct of the election of new national officers.

    He added: “The convention was very okay and we hope that we will be able to come out of the convention a lot stronger, more formidable and more prepared to take on the role of opposition. Quite frankly it was all excitement in the run up to the convention. “Everybody was very eager. I think that going through the memory lane, this has been one of the most peaceful, successful convention of the PDP that I have ever witnessed. I understand that some persons are not quite happy with the outcome of the election. It is understandably so, because in a contest there are definitely some persons who will lose and some persons who will win. And of course, all manner of reasons are given for either winning or losing.”

    Noting that he had raised alarm few days to the convention expressing fears that the PDP was yet to learn from past mistakes, the ex-minister said: “I actually raised some basic fears of potential manipulation of the electoral process, the fear of a possible implosion and the need for the leadership of the party (the dissolved Ahmed Makarfi-led NCC) to take appropriate steps in ensuring free, fair, credible election where the votes of the delegates would count. As a party man, I think that was a legitimate fear especially against the backdrop of people grumbling and crying hidden agenda, crying impunity and crying imposition.”

  • What next for PDP after bitter convention

    What next for PDP after bitter convention

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Caretaker Committee (NCC), led by Senator Makarfi, has handed the baton of leadership to Chief Uche Secondus at its national convention held in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), at the weekend. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU highlights the challenges that will confront the new leadership.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship poll has been won and lost. The party is now battling with post-convention crisis. Can its new leadership restore unity and harmony?

    Before the convention, the main opposition party was just recovering from a major leadership crisis foisted on it by the rift between its displaced chairman, Senator Alli Modu Sheriff and the governors under the opposition party’s platform. During the exercise at the Eagle Square in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the cracks widened. At the end of the national congress, the platform became more divided than it was a year ago. It was meant to be a unifying meeting. But, the PDP was further torn apart by its convention. The so-called unifying and reconciliatory convention sowed a new seed of discord. It heralded more acrimonies, bickering, intrigues, antagonism, bitterness and confusion.

    Uche Secondus, the anointed candidate of the governors, became the chairman as projected. Those who lost out said he assumed the reins in an atmosphere of strife and rancour. There was jubilation in his camp as the electoral officer declared him winner. Secondus’ supporters said the intra-party poll was peaceful during voting. The transparency was attested to by a team of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Prof. A.T Okosun. There was also no security breach. Delegates to the elective convention shunned unruly behaviour, although the directive that the venue should not be turned into a 2019 campaign ground was flouted. Throughout the exercise, there was no skirmish. To ensure a free and fair exercise, delegates on the Convention Electoral Committee were asked to step down.

    According to poll results announced by the Electoral Sub-Committee Chairman and former Benue State governor Gabriel Suswam, Secondus scored 2,000 votes of the 2,396 votes cast; Chief Raymond Dokpesi got 66, and Prof. Tunde  Adeniran 230.  Prof. Taoheed Adedoja did not get any vote.

    But, Adeniran, Dokpesi and Adedoja did not concede defeat. Their supporters alleged pre-election manipulation and impunity. They queried the distribution of what they described as the “unity list” to delegates, which made them to vote along pre-determined patterns. Although the governors had their way, fresh problems of disunity, distrust, polarisation and ruptured confidence may have been created.

    Adeniran, political scientist and former Education Minister, expressed bitterness. Rejecting the outcome of the polls, when collation was still on, his media aide, Taiwo Akeju, alleged that the process lacked credibility. It was compromised and it is travesty of democracy, he said. To save PDP from disaster, he called for a fresh election, advising that the party should be handed over to the Board of Trustees (BoT), which should conduct a fresh poll. Also, Dokpesi alleged that the exercise was marred by irregularities and malpractices.

    Former National Planning Minister Prof. Olanrewaju Sulaimon, who contested for the National Publicity Secretary, rejected the results, saying that he was excluded from the race because one of his names was omitted from the ballot box. A reporter, Kola Ologbondiyan, from Kogi State, was declared winner. Sulaimon claimed that the omission created confusion for delegates. Urging the electoral committee to cancel the polls, he forwarded a letter of protest to the panel and threatened to go to court.

    He said: “To my chagrin and utter constellation, I was informed that my name was conspicuously missing from the list of candidates vying for the post of National Publicity Secretary, which lists were pasted in booths earmarked for voting into the office of National Publicity Secretary. I therefore, pray that the august body would do the right by me by cancelling the purported election,” he said.

    Indeed, a commotion was averted at the venue when an aspirant for Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Demola Kehinde, protested the alleged distribution of what he described as “unity list” to delegates.

    “What kind of party is this? What is the list meant for? What is it meant to achieve? Look at delegates with the sheets. They are telling them to vote in a particular way,” he alleged. However, his protest was ignored by the electoral committee.

    The former National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, had anticipated the brewing tension in his opening and farewell address. The former governor of Kaduna State acknowledged the clash of divergent views and interests.

    In a breath, he said the apprehension of the aggrieved aspirants was misplaced, stressing that the convention will be transparent. Makarfi recalled that a culture of preference for litigation as against conflict resolution was costly to the party. In another dimension, he urged the incoming leadership to brace for the odds, advising winners to carry along the losers.

    The convention reinforced the supremacy of the PDP Governors’ Forum as the most potent and influential bloc in the main opposition party. The governors have become the major financiers of the party since 2015 when it was dislodged from power by the All Progressives Party (APC). He who pays the piper dictates the tune. Despite their intellectual arsenal, experience and robust ideas, all the aspirants combined could not withstand the financial war chest of governors who queued behind Secondus, the former acting chairman. There was naira and dollar war and the highest bidder got the crown.

     

    As it was in the beginning….

    Observers had predicted that the PDP may not be able to rise against its past impunity. To aggrieved aspirants, the impunity has returned in disguise. The seed of acrimony was sowed as the party prepared for the Abuja conference. At the botched Port-Harcourt convention, the party had resolved to zone the chairmanship to the Southwest. But, a year after, top leaders began to sing a different tune. Micro-zoning to the Southwest was set aside and the slot was zoned to the larger South, comprising Southwest, Southeast and Southsouth. Southwest stakeholders cried foul, saying that it smacked of inequality and justice because the region has not produced a chairman before. However, Makarfi and the BoT Chairman, Walim Jibril, insisted that micro-zoning lacked justification. Some Northern elders, especially founding chieftains, including, Col. Ahmed Ali, Prof. Jerry Gana and Senator Ibrahim Mantu, however, rooted for candidates from the Southwest.

    However, the Southwest also failed to put its house in order. The region went into the convention as a divided house. There was no rallying point and the sheep were scattered in the absence of a shepherd. Instead of producing a consensus candidate, seven aspirants from the zone threw their hats into the ring. Senator Ningi was irked by the lack of strategy by Southwest stakeholders. While receiving Chief Bode George’s nomination form, he said it was unthinkable that the younger aspirants from a race that value age, experience and the concept of Omoluabi, could not step down for their elders.

     

    Battle not yet over

    On the eve of the exercise, George pulled out in protest. Although he had traversed the six zones during the campaign, the tours ended on a sad note. He doubted the capacity of the NCC to provide a level playing ground at the convention. In particular, George had an axe to grind with Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, who he chided for what he described as an unguarded statement against Yoruba. He said the ticket has been auctioned, lamenting that the party has departed from the path charted by its founding fathers.  Brimming with anger, he predicted that the PDP was on the way to perdition.

    “I cannot be part of this screaming aberration. I hereby withdraw from this brazen fraud and absolutely preconceived, monetised, mercantilist convention,” said the former deputy national chairman, who shunned the convention.

    To avoid a looming disgrace, three Southwest aspirants -former Lagos State governorship candidate Jimi Agbaje, former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja and Aderemi Olusegun-also withdrew from the chairmanship race. Applauding them, the Convention Planning Committee Chairman and Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, said they stepped down “in the interest of the unity of the party.”

    It was an after-thought.  All entreaties by party chieftains to step down for a consensus candidate from their zone had fallen on deaf ears. A deputy national chairmanship aspirant, Alhaji Sarafa Ishola, a former Steel Development Minister, also opted out of the race. Apart from Ekiti, the mood of other Southwest states of Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ondo and Oyo, suggested a feeling of exclusion.

     

    The place of the Southwest

    Reflecting on the plight of his zone, shortly before delegates filed out to vote, Agbaje said it was unfortunate. The convention, he said, has implications for unity, cohesion and future political permutations. “The presidential ticket has gone to the North. The chairman will come from the Southsouth. The Southeast wants to produce the vice presidential aspirant later. What will be the Southwest do? Won’t the Southwest compete with the Southeast for the presidential running mate? If the Southwest and Southeast compete for the vice presidency, which zone will win?” he asked.

    But, a PDP senator from the Southeast, disagreed, saying: “It is a sealed agreement that the vice presidency should come to us, subject to the wish of the presidential candidate.  On this, Southeast, Southsouth and North are on the same page.”

    The fate of the aspirants have been determined and sealed before the convention. While the governors dictated the tune, some concessions were given to ex-governors, ministers and some members of the NCC. At the zonal level, some candidates had emerged and they ran unopposed at the convention. Among them were: the Deputy National Legal Adviser, the National Auditor and the Treasurer.

    According to observers, PDP governors may also seize the moment during the party’s presidential primaries next year, using the same predictable strategies, including incumbency factor, team spirit, group solidarity and enormous financial resources. But, the senator said this also is debatable because “the only factor that will count then is how to win the presidential election.”

     

    Between party interest and personal ambition

    The convention was conducted on the altar of personal interest. Sources close to the dissolved NCC said Makarfi objected to the micro-zoning of the chairmanship to prevent micro-zoning of the presidency. “If the chairman was micro-zoned to the Southwest, Atiku may push for micro-zoning to the Northeast and as you know, Makarfi, who is from Northwest, has a presidential ambition,” a source said.

    Another source also gave an insight into the rejection of the Southwest aspirants. He said: “Agbaje was turned down because of his disposition to the struggle to rescue the party from Sheriff. He was the anointed candidate of the governors in Port-Harcourt. However, after the botched convention, he distanced himself from his sponsors. He never showed up in court during the battle against Sheriff. After the party was rescued from Sheriff, he showed up again. That time, there were other considerations. Politics is dynamic.”

     

    The odds against Southwest aspirants

    According to the source, George, Agbaje, Daniel, Adeniran and Adedoja were also put on the weighing scale and it was discovered that they may not be able to deliver their states during elections. It was noted that George and Agbaje have never delivered Lagos and Daniel’s relevance in Ogun had waned. Also, Adeniran was not considered as an electoral asset in Ekiti.

    “In fact, when the Northern elders insisted that Adeniran should be adopted as candidate, Fayose threatened to leave the PDP and the matter was dropped,” he added.

    A source close to Wike said he insisted on Secondus’ candidature because he considered it as a payback time. “Secondus supported Wike to be governor, despite Amaechi’s stiff opposition and despite the fact that the deputy governor who was also interested hails from Secondus’ town,” he added.

    The leadership’s burden

    Between now and the presidential nomination, many challenges will confront the party under the new leadership. The first critical task is the post-convention reconciliation, which is inevitable for the resolution of pre-convention and post-convention crises. “The Southwest is aggrieved. It should be pacified,” said Agbaje.

    Echoing him, a chieftain from Osun State, Chief Tunde Odanye, said reconciliation with the Southwest will restore its lost sense of belonging and erase a feeling of marginalisation.

    Secondus have four important issues to tackle in the Southwest. Around 3am on Saturday, Senator Buruji Kashamu from Ogun West, a loyalist of Senator Modu Sheriff, was suspended, following his resort to litigation at the expense of the party.

    Secundus will get his baptism when he leads his party next year at governorship elections in Ekiti and Oyo states. Can the PDP retain power in Ekiti? Can it build on its success in the senatorial bye election in Osun State?

    A party source said, if the Kashamu issue is not properly handled, he may play a spoiler’s role in future elections. “Kashamu is popular in his district and he has money to deploy to fight a battle,” a source, who feared that the suspended chieftain may become a willing tool in the hand of the ruling party, said.

    Reconciliation with aggrieved aspirants, especially George and Adeniran, may be difficult at the initial stage, but it is not impossible. The onus is on the chairman and the reconciliation committee to reach out to the chieftains, their associates and supporters to bury the hatchet and put the past behind them.

    However, a National Assembly member said if they chose to be passive henceforth, or leave the party, they may not be missed. “How relevant are they as leaders in their states? They are big names. But, do they have the winning formula?” he asked.

    There are litigations hanging on the neck of the Southwest zonal leadership. The factional executive committee, led by Makanjuola Ogundipe, is still at loggerheads with Eddy Olafeso’s executive committee. How to broker peace through political solution is a  challenge.

    The fourth assignment in the zone relates to the Osun PDP debacle. It is polarised into two factions, making it impossible for the troubled chapter to harmonise its delegates. The crisis affected the compilation of the list of delegates from the state. Less than 15 delegates from the state voted at the convention. As pointed out by Makarfi, the new leadership will have to attend to the unfinished business of restoring normalcy and peace to the chapter. Other polarised state chapters that require urgent reconciliation include Anambra, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Kwara and Nasarawa.

    More importantly, the PDP has to tackle the challenge of perception arising from the way it conducted its convention. A picture of acrimony painted by the exercise may be discouraging to would-be returnees, who may not want to retrace their steps to a crisis-ridden party.

    Defections also have implications. As new members arrive, there will be need for the harmonisation of party structures to accommodate their interests and ambitions. Thus, Makarfi urged Secondus and his executive committee to open the doors of the party to the returnees and ensure that they do not suffer from any disadvantage.

    Ahead of 1999 presidential election

    How will the party also handle its presidential primary without risking another post-primary crisis? No fewer than six gladiators are struggling for the ticket. They include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former NCC Chairman Makarfi, former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa, former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, former Kano State Governor Sule Lamido, and Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo.

    More aspirants may still join the fray. A section of the party is even thinking that a reputable and competent northerner from the business world who is acceptable to the North and the country can be drafted into the race, if that will make the PDP triumph over the APC in 2019 general elections.

    The governors have been accused of imposing a chairman. Will the presidential primary be hitch-free, transparent and credible? Will the same allegation trail the shadow poll?

    For PDP, hope has become the elixir of life. Its target is to bounce back to power? But, can it realise the dream? Makarfi said the NCC has laid a solid foundation for Secondus to build upon. On the podium, he looked vibrant; exuding the agility and strength of a potential presidential contender. “We have laid a good foundation for the repositioning of the PDP,” he said, advising the new leadership to consolidate on the gains.

    Acknowledging the division in the party, which has not faded, owing to the competition for party tickets in 2015, rancorous party congresses at the state level and the scramble for party offices, he said members should not close the door of dialogue. He said for conflict resolution to replace the culture of litigation in the party, party stalwarts should resolve to make sacrifices and work for harmony.

    Makarfi said the onus is on the Post-Convention Reconciliation Panel chaired by Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, to listen to the grievances of the aggrieved, ventilate them and reconcile them with the party. He also urged the new executive committee to always ensure a level playing ground for contestants in the future to avoid a situation whereby fresh problems are created while trying to resolve new existing challenges.

    The former Kaduna State governor urged the new leadership to broaden the horizon of participation in party affairs by giving room for participation in the affairs of the party to women and youths.

    He suggested the establishment of a Students Loans’ Scheme in future by the PDP government to encourage students and stem the prevalent drop out in the tertiary institution by indigent students.

    Jonathan’s wish

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan also reflected on the 2015 electoral tragedy that hit the party, saying the platform can still bounce back in 2019 poll, if it puts its house in order.

    Urging party faithful not to despair, Dr. Jonathan, who alleged that the APC was persecuting top PDP chieftains, advised them to endure the pains and resolve to forge ahead with determination. He said the winners must promote a culture of inclusiveness by carrying along those who lost at the convention.

    The former president advised the party to put its house in order, maintaining that it can only regain power as a united family.  “PDP should remain at the forefront of leadership by example. I urge members to continue to support the party. PDP has become a strong voice, a reference point as the nation moves closer to another election season. It is growing from strength to strength. Defectors are coming back. There is a reunion.

    “PDP is the only stable party that has not changed its name and identity. It continues to make promise and fulfil its promises. Those who will win the election today must carry the losers along,” he stressed.

    For Atiku, it is another home-coming. He said for PDP to survive, it must cultivate Nigerians and convince them that past mistakes will not be repeated.

    The former vice president said: “We must work to earn the trust of Nigerians. If we get power, we should use it to work for Nigerians.”

    Atiku said the poor performance of the APC will make Nigerians vote for the opposition party in 2019.

    “Under the APC, Nigeria is not working and our workers are not working. APC promised three million jobs. Under APC, Nigeria lost three million jobs. Under the PDP, Nigeria was united. Under the APC, Nigeria is disunited, more than it was during the civil war. APC promised restructuring, it has denied promising restructuring. PDP waged war against corruption; APC is waging war against the opposition,” he added.

    Atiku lamented that, despite its achievements in 16 years, PDP lost power because it made mistakes. He said: “We made mistakes, but we put our nation first. APC is blaming previous government, instead of solving problems. Let the PDP get winning again so that it can get working for Nigerians again.”

    The BoT Chairman, Jibril said the convention meant that PDP was on the move again, ready to take power in 2019.

    As if he was reading his lips, Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose said: “PDP is well positioned to take over the affairs of the country. There is nothing wrong in falling; not rising again is the problem. PDP will rise again. The convention shows that PDP is well organised and ready to bounce back.”

    To the aspirants, he said: “We are voting for the PDP. In any contest, one will win, another will lose. PDP will be the ultimate winner. When PDP returns to power, a bag of rice will come down from N20, 000 to N5, 000.”

    Senate Deputy President Dr. Ike Ekweremadu said: “Our religious and traditional leaders are worried about the suffering of the people, the jobless, the victims of Boko Haram attack and youths trapped in Libya. The former president and vice president are bothered by the disunity in Nigeria.

    “I am proud of the 16 year of PDP, and what it brought; the telecommunication, justice to the Southwest through the election of Chief Obasanjo as president, justice to the minority ethnic group through the election of Dr. Jonathan, amnesty to the people in the creeks, debt forgiveness. But, today, we are in debt. It was 16 years of light. Now, it has been two years of darkness.”

    Former Special Duties Minister Kaiti Turaki said: “Today, PDP is more united and prepared to salvage Nigeria. We have learnt our lessons. We have appreciated our mistakes. Nigerians have had an opportunity to make comparison. They are now wiser.”