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Tag: John Odigie-Oyegun

  • UPDATED: No crisis in APC – Governors

    The Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum ( NGF ), Abdulaziz Yari, said on Wednesday there is no crisis in the All Progressives Congress ( APC ).

    There were claims the governors are divided on the tenure elongation for the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other members of the party’s National Executive Committee ( NE C).

    The Zamfara State governor told State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday that there was no deadlock on the matter.

    He was accompanied to the briefing by Governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdullahi Gamduje (Kano) and Simon Lalong (Plateau).

    APC Governors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Villa
    APC Governors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House

    Yari said: “Gentlemen of the press, you know yesterday (Tuesday) we left you in the dark after the meeting and today we have seen so many captions that there is disagreement between the governors over the issue of party chairman or about the party leadership.

    “No. We had a meeting with Mr. President yesterday (Tuesday), and we extended the meeting till night and we followed up with the consultations with the President now.

    “We consulted and all the 24 governors of the APC are on the same page with Mr. President that we are going to respect our party constitution. We are going to respect the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So therefore, we collectively agreed that we will have congresses at all levels – local, state and national.

    “And the committee set up by the National Secretariat of our party headed by governor of Plateau State is presenting its report later today. The governors are also meeting with the working committee today so that we come up with convention committee names as well as timetable of the election.

    “So, there is no deadlock in our meeting. We have progressed and very soon you will have the names of the convention committee members as well as the timetable.”

    Okorocha added: “I just want to let you know that there is no crisis in the APC at all. And we want to use this opportunity to advise the media operatives to stop spreading rumours of crisis in APC. There is no single crisis in APC.

    “The issue was one of people who believe that we did not have enough time to organize a party congress and run election. Some people felt that it was a good idea but the most important thing is that, if we do that we will be contravening both our party constitution and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. That is the major issue that we have that they call crisis. We do not have virus.

    “This morning we met with Mr. President to fine-tune issues, one regarding the congress and we have resolved that the congresses at all levels and the chairman of the elongation committee, is also fine-tuning the arrangement in the same line. To this effect, the convention committee will be set out, it will be announced.

    “But let me correct one impression, the issue of congress and convention does not mean that the previous people who have served the party have done badly. And it does not mean that they cannot come back or that they cannot re-contest, that is not it. We are simply saying that their tenure has ended and those who wish to re-contest can re-contest and can be elected into our party structure. So we are all one as family and we are set to go for 2019 elections in victory.”

  • APC is doomed if Tinubu’s reconciliation fails – Party Stalwart

    A leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Chief Perekeme Kpodo, has said the APC will be doomed in the forthcoming general elections if the ongoing reconciliation by its national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, fails.
    Kpodo, a former Interim Chairman of the party, appealed to all APC members and leaders to support the former Governor of Lagos State in his moves to reconcile the aggrieved members of the party ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Speaking on Friday in Yenagoa, Kpodo said the choice of Tinubu by President Muhammadu Buhari to undertake the reconciliation task was right, unmistakable, in order and well-thought out.

    He said though he was not holding brief for Tinubu, given his socio-economic and political antecedents, he is a well-respected leader of the party with proven records of an excellent leader, a great mobiliser, an astute administrator, a great performer and a bridge builder.

    Kpodo said:  “I am optimistic that Tinubu’s reconciliation will succeed. But if his reconciliation fails, the APC will fail. Without reconciliation, APC will not go anywhere.

    “So, a respectable man as Tinubu should be commended for taking up the appointment of bringing the party together again. We should also thank Mr. President for picking him (Tinubu) for the reconciliation job. That is a wise decision on the part of the President.”

    He criticized the party national Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, for allegedly jumping the gun by attempting his own form of reconciliation at a time the President selected Tinubu for the job.

    He said: “The national chairman is trying to jump the gun. He has been there for some time now, no convention, no reconcilation, nothing whatsover, but now that somebody has been appointed for reconciation, he now starts doing the same thing. That is unthinkable of him and such action will not lead the party anywhere.

    “As for the coming elections, APC has bright chances so long it is able to put its house in order and genuinely reconcile everybody that is aggrieved. Once that is done, I believe all members of the party will go back to the trenches, mobilizing and sensitizing people in order to win the general elections.

    “I want to sound a note of caution here. The President who appointed Tinubu for the reconciliation job knew what he was doing. If he does not have regard and respect for Tinubu, he would not have appointed him. So, people talking rubbish should stop henceforth for the interest of the party.

    “Look at Tinubu’s record; even in this APC we are, we know what he has achieved so far. In establishing this APC, he played crucial role for its survival. How many of them (those castigating the person of Tinubu) can match his performance and records in all ramifications?

    “What I am saying really is that we should give Tinubu the full support he needs, because we really want to win the forthcoming elections. We want Buhari to win. We have to do everything possible to make sure we win the elections.

    “But this cannot be done if our house is not in order. We need to reconcile all the aggrieved persons in the party, mobilize the people and give everybody a sense of belonging in the  party.

    “It must also not be lost on us; the problems affecting the APC are greed, in-fighting and injustice. Because of those problems, we narrowly won the last general elections. So, we have to try as much as possible to make sure we ventilate the grievances of aggrieved members through Tinub’s reconciliation and ensure that President Buhari is returned in 2019.”

    Kpodo also said that the move to suspend of some members opposed to the tenure elongation of the national chairman was wrong and unthinkable.

    He said it was foolhardy to be disorganizing the party at a time of reconciliation and wondered whether it was wrong for people to kick against what they perceived as wrong.

    He said: “We are trying to reconcile the party and they are scattering it again. Does it mean there should not be any criticism in the party? We must criticize to rearrange so that everybody will now know where they belong. The meeting of South-South was held in Ebonyi, South-East, does it mean there is no place in the South-South to hold such a meeting?

    “The issue now is that the President appointed Senator Bola Tinubu to head a reconciliation committee, but what we are seeing now is that the national chairman is now moving about for reconciliation. The question now is why did he embark on this now? If he knew all this while he could reconcile the party, why did he not do it?

    “Look at the South-South states; we do not have a single state. Those who are vibrant and capable of winning the states are sidelined. We made it open during the last elections that we could not win any election without reconciling the party.

    “But some persons thwarted our efforts and what happened next, the PDP took over the states in the South-South. So, the issue is that reconciliation should take place genuinely. If people went to court, why suspending them? That is very wrong. It is meant to cause more harm than good for the party.”

  • Oyegun: Ekiti governorship poll, a must win for APC

    Assures aspirants of credible primary

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has declared that the July 14 governorship election is a “must-win” for his party.
    He also assured all aspirants interested in the party’s ticket that a credible, free, fair and transparent primary election will be conducted to choose the flag bearer.
    Oyegun stressed that the Muhammadu Buhari Administration would not compromise the integrity of the ballot box despite the party’s quest to regain the governorship seat in Ekiti.
    The party leader promised that the APC structure in the entire country will mobilize all available resources to assist members in Ekiti to win the forthcoming governorship poll.
    Oyegun spoke in Ado-Ekiti on Monday during a one-day official visit to Ekiti State to flag off the membership mobilization drive into the party.
    The APC National Chairman registered new members at the state secretariat along Ajilosun in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
    He was joined by some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) including the National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso.
    Oyegun and his team made a stopover at the state secretariat where thousands of party members mobilized by governorship aspirants had waited to receive the team.
    The train later moved to Eagle Hall along Ikere Road where another crowd of party faithful had gathered.
    The National Chairman, Ekiti State APC Chairman, Chief Olajide Awe, Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, State Working Committee members and governorship aspirants sauntered into the hall at about 1.15 pm to a rapturous ovation by party supporters.

    Read Also: APC moves to reconcile Buhari, Saraki, others

    Oyegun said the flag-off of nationwide registration of new party members was brought to Ekiti to show the readiness of the APC to win the forthcoming governorship poll in the Southwest state.
    He said: “We did not choose Ekiti to flag off this event (new membership drive) by accident. Ekiti is facing an important election that will happen in this nation.
    “God has put it in our hand, God has put it on your laps and God has chosen Ekiti to be a major factor in the politics of this country in July 2018.
    “We in the National Executive have decided that the coming election in Ekiti is one we will work as hard as possible. No stone will be left unturned; it is a must-win election.
    “As you know, the Muhammadu Buhari Administration will not compromise with offering voters a level playing field, the Buhari Administration will not compromise on having a free and fair election.
    “It means whether we are in power at the federal level or not, we must all work hard to deserve the victory that belongs to us.”
    Oyegun also reeled out some guidelines to ensure that aspirants and their supporters conduct themselves with decorum and ensure that the party organizes a transparent primary.
    He said further: “The aspirants should not campaign as if there is no tomorrow, don’t campaign with enmity because there should be no discord in the party and anybody that wants to fly the party flag must sign an undertaking to maintain decorum.
    “We at the national headquarters, having guaranteed a free and fairprimary, because there cannot be peace without justice, will guarantee a free and fair primary.
    “We must not have bad losers, all aspirants must collapse their structures into the person that is chosen at the primary. There must be no division and factionalisation in the party.
    “No officer (in the state exco) should join the campaign bandwagon of any aspirant whatever position you hold. The moment you do that, you have factionalised the party.”
    Speaking on the issue of rumour to impose a candidate, Oyegun said: “I want to assure that in Ekiti State, we will have free, fair and credible primary. We will provide security at the primary, it will be an open event and will be covered and recorded on television from the beginning to the end.
    “There will be proper identification of delegates to prevent impersonation. Once the delegate list is out, every aspirant that pays the prescribe fee will be given the delegates list.
    “At the voting point, party chairmen of the local government (chapters) and wards will stand at a distance away but they will ensure that those that will vote are bona fide delegates and anybody found impersonating will be handed over to the Police.
    “A formidable group of (APC) governors will be mobilized who will superintend, guide and ensure that the election is totally free and fair.
    “Finally, as far as Ekiti governorship election is concerned, we are going to mobilise the entire country, the entire APC structure to ensure that you (Ekiti APC) are not alone and that all resources you need for the election are made available to you.
    “At the end of July, Ekiti will be APC.” Governorship aspirants who present include Chief Segun Oni, Dr. Wole Oluyede, Mr. Kola Alabi, Mr. Victor Kolade, Dr. Bayo Orire, Senator Gbenga Aluko, Captain Sunday Adebomi, Dr. Mojisola Kolade, Chief Diran Adesua, Mr. Bimbo Daramola, Senator Ayo Arise, Dr. Wole Oluleye and Dr. Makanjuola Owolabi.

  • No tenure extension yet for Oyegun, other APC leaders

    No tenure extension yet for Oyegun, other APC leaders

    The tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC) and state chapter executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has not been extended.

    This is contrary to the impression created by Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello yesterday that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party had granted one year tenure elongation to the John Odigie-Oyegun-led NWC and the state executives.

    Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari said last night that “what has been done is a mere expression of interest. The power of the Convention to extend tenure is exercised only by way of a constitution amendment.

    “The power of the National Executive Committee of our party cannot go beyond doing so by way of constitution amendment.

    “Article 30 of the APC Constitution states:  ‘This constitution and the schedules hereto, can be amended only by the National Convention of the party”.

    “The process of amending the constitution is also expressly provided in Article 30 sub section 2. This states: “Notice of any proposed amendment by any member or organ of the party shall be given to the National Secretary at least 14 days before the date of the National Convention. The Notice shall be in writing, shall contain a clear statement of the proposed amendment and reasons for it.”

    Yari added:  “What was done today (yesterday) is only an expression of a desire to extend the tenure of Chief Oyegun-led National Executives.”

    Also last night, party spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi said what was agreed at the NEC was the intention to extend the tenure of the NWC and the state executives.

    He said the decision would only be consummated after an amendment of the constitution which will be effected before the expiration of the tenure of the NWC. The tenure ends in June..

    Abdullahi added that the party had slated another NEC meeting for next month.

    Bello told reporters after the NEC meeting that the decision was taken in line with Article 13 of the party, which allows the NEC to exercise the powers of the National Convention.

    He said the tenure extension was taken owing to the need to avoid any confusion in the party’s operation ahead of the 2019 general elections and to give the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led reconciliation committee time to carry out an effective job.

    The meeting started when President Muhammadu Buhari arrived at the APC headquarters, accompanied by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. It was attended by governors, members of the National Assembly, state APC chairmen and others.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara and some governors were absent.

    With Bello were National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and the party’s chairmen in Plateau, Rivers, Anambra, Ondo and Nasarawa states.

    Bello said: “At the end of the National Executive Council meeting today, a major decision was taken in line with the constitution of our party. We are all aware that the tenure of the current NWC and the executive members of this party – both elected and appointed – comes to an end in June this year.

    “Considering the time left for the party to conduct all the congresses and convention and considering that our leader, Senator Tinubu, has been charged with the responsibility of reconciling all aggrieved members of our party, we cannot afford to approach the general elections with more dispute and crises.

    “Let me tell you that this will not stop the convention of the party. But to go into elective Congresses is what we are trying to avoid relying on the constitution of our party. As a matter of fact, Mr. President believes in ensuring that there are Congresses and convention across board.

    On the timeline for the Tinubu committee, he said: “I don’t have the terms of reference that was given to our leader and I want to believe that there is no committee that is set up without timeline. So, I’m not in the position to tell you the timeline given to that committee.

    “Also, every member of this committee – whether one man committee or multiple man committee – I want to assure you that every members of APC are cooperating 100 per cent with our leader, Senator Tinubu.”

    Those who attended the meeting included: Governors Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), Sani Bello (Niger), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Nasir El Rufai (Kaduna), Abubakar Ibrahim (Bauchi), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Akinwumi Ambode (Lagos) Samuel Ortom (Benue), Simon Lalong (Plateau) and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo).

    Others are: Senate Leader Ahmed Lawal, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Ibe Kachukwu, Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun, Deputy Senate Whip Francis Alimikhena, Senator Magnus Abe, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Senator Andy Uba, Senator Sani Yarima, House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, House Whip Ado Dogowa, state chairmen among others.

  • APC extends national, state excos’ tenure for one year

    APC extends national, state excos’ tenure for one year

    The National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved the extension of the tenure of the John Odigie Oyegun-led National Working Committee (NWC) and state executive committees for one year with effect from June this year.

    Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello broke the news to reporters yesterday after the  party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.

    Bello said the decision was taken in line with Article 13 of the party, which allows the NEC to exercise the powers of the National Convention.

    A source at the meeting said the decision was taken after a voice vote. He added that what was done is simply an expression of the intention to amend the party’s constitution.

    Article 30 of the party’s constitution stipulates how such a decision can be established.

    Bello said the tenure extension was taken owing to the need to avoid any confusion in the party’s operation ahead of the 2019 general elections and to give the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led reconciliation committee time to carry out an effective job.

    The meeting started when President Muhammadu Buhari arrived at the APC headquarters, accompanied by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. It was attended by governors, members of the National Assembly, state APC chairmen and others.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara as well as a few governors were absent.

    With Bello were National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and the party’s chairmen in Plateau, Rivers, Anambra, Ondo and Nasarawa states.

    The party was silent on the conduct of its national convention and the amendment to its constitution.

    Bello said: “At the end of the National Executive Council meeting today, a major decision was taken in line with the constitution of our party. We are all aware that the tenure of the current NWC and the executive members of this party – both elected and appointed – comes to an end in June this year.

    “Considering the time left for the party to conduct all the congresses and convention and considering that our leader, Senator Tinubu, has been charged with the responsibility of reconciling all aggrieved members of our party, we cannot afford to approach the general elections with more dispute and crises.

    “So, relying on Article 13 of our constitution, which empowers the NEC to carry out the function of the convention, the NEC has decided to extend the tenure of the current NWC and other executive committees at various levels for another twelve months, starting from June 30th.

    “Let me tell you that this will not stop the convention of the party. But to go into elective Congresses is what we are trying to avoid relying on the constitution of our party. As a matter of fact, Mr. President believes in ensuring that there are Congresses and convention across board.

    “However, how would you manage the crisis that will arise thereabout? Let me give you instances, in Ekiti and Osun states, there state congresses were postponed similarly in 2014 ahead of the elections. Just two states to avoid crisis talk more of the whole country. So, that is why this decision was taken.”

    On the timeline for the Tinubu committee, he said: “I don’t have the terms of reference that was given to our leader and I want to believe that there is no committee that is set up without timeline. So, I’m not in the position to tell you the timeline given to that committee.

    “Also, every member of this committee – whether one man committee or multiple man committee – I want to assure you that every members of APC are cooperating 100 per cent with our leader, Senator Tinubu.”

    Those who attended the meeting included: Governors Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), Sani Bello (Niger), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Nasir El Rufai (Kaduna), Abubakar Ibrahim (Bauchi), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Akinwumi Ambode (Lagos) Samuel Ortom (Benue), Simon Lalong (Plateau) and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo).

    Others are: Senate Leader Ahmed Lawal, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Ibe Kachukwu, Deputy Speaker Yusuf Lasun, Deputy Senate Whip Francis Alimikhena, Senator Magnus Abe, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Senator Andy Uba, Senator Sani Yarima, House Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, House Whip Ado Dogowa, state chairmen among others.

  • APC NEC extends Odigie-Oyegun-led NWC’s tenure

    APC NEC extends Odigie-Oyegun-led NWC’s tenure

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) on Tuesday, extended Chief John Odigie-Oyegun -led National Working Committee’s (NWC) tenure by one year.

    Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi made this known while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the party’s NEC meeting in Abuja and said that the extension was from June, 2018.

    Bello said that the decision was taken in line with the party´s Constitution, and explained that it was to ensure that peace prevailed within the party hierarchy.

    “Considering the time left for the party to conduct all the congresses, we cannot afford to approach general elections with more dispute and crisis.

    “So, relying on Article 13 of our Constitution, which empowers the NEC to carry out the function of the convention, the NEC has decided to extend the tenure of the current NWC,” he said.

    Bello explained that the tenure extension included the party’s other executive committees at various levels.

    He, however, pointed out that the decision would not prevent the party’s non-elective National Convention from holding in July as slated.

    “Let me tell you that this will not stop the convention of the party, but to go into elective congresses is what we are trying to avoid,” he said.

    The national convention usually provides avenue for the party to ratify its policies and programmes, elect or remove members of its NWC and amend its Constitution if need be, among other things.

    The tenure of the current NWC will expire in June.

    Before now, there were issues on whether the committee should continue or be replaced.

    The party has been unable to hold its mandatory bi-annual non-elective convention since 2014 as stipulated in its Constitution.

    Article 25 (A)(i) of the APC Constitution specifically stipulates that the national convention of the party shall be held once in two years at a date, venue and time to be recommended by its NEC.

    NAN

  • Breaking: Oyegun, others get one year tenure extension

    Breaking: Oyegun, others get one year tenure extension

    The National Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved the extension of the tenure of the John Odigie Oyegun led National Working Committee and state executive committees of the party for any other one year with effect from June 2018.

    Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello who briefed newsmen after the meeting which was supposed to draw up a timetable for the conduct of party congresses leading to the National Convention of the party said the decision was taken in line with article 13 of the party which allows the NEC to exercise the powers of the National Convention.

    He said the tenure extension was taken in view of the need to avoid any confusion in the operation of the party ahead of the forthcoming general elections and to give the Asiwaju Tinubu led reconciliation committee to carry out an effective job.

    The meeting which started at exactly 11.06 when President Mubammadu Buhari arrived the APC headquarters accompanied by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and ended at about 2.12 pm was attended by state governors, members of the National Assembly and state Chairmen among others.

    However, the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara as well a few state governors were conspicuously absent.

    The Kogi governor was accompanied by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi and Chairmen of the party in Plateau, Rivers, Anambra, Ondo and Nasarawa states.

    The party was silent on the conduct of its national convention and the amendment to the party constitution.

    He said: “At the end of the National Executive Council meeting today, a major decision was taken in line with the constitution of our party. We are all aware that the tenure of the current NWC and the executive members of this party both elected and appointed comes to an end in June this year.

    “Considering the time left for the party to conduct all the Congresses and convention and considering that our leader Sen. Tinubu has been charged with the responsibility of reconciling all aggrieved members of our party, we can not afford to approach the general elections with more dispute and crisis.

    “So, relying on Article 13 of our constitution, which empowers the NEC to carry out the function of the convention, the NEC has decided to extend the tenure of the current NWC and other executive committees at various levels for another twelve months, starting from June 30th.

    “Let me tell you that this will not stop the convention of the party. But to go into elective Congresses is what we are trying to avoid relying on the constitution of our party. As a matter of fact, Mr. President believe in ensuring that there are Congresses and convention across board.

    “However, how would you manage the crisis that will arise thereabout? Let me give you instances, in Ekiti and Osun states, there state congresses were postponed similarly in 2014 ahead of the elections, just two states to avoid crisis talk more of the whole country. So, that is why this decision was taken.”

    Speaking in the timeline for the Tinubu committee, he said “I don’t have the terms of reference that was given to our leader and I want to believe that there is no committee tthat is set up without timeline. So, I’m not in the position to tell you the timeline given to that committee.

    “Also, every member of this committee whether one man committee or multiple man committee, I want to assure you that every members of APC, we are cooperating 100% with our leader Sen. Bola Tinubu.”

    Those who attended the meeting include President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Governors Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Sani Bello (Niger), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Nasir El Rufai (Kaduna), Abubakar Ibrahim (Bauchi), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Akinwumi Ambode (Lagos) Samuel Ortom (Benue), Simon Lalong (Plateau) and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo).

    Others present are Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawal, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachukwu, Deputy Speaker, Yusuf Lasun, Deputy Senate Whip, Francis Alimikhena, Senator Magnus Abe, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Sen Andy Uba, Senator Sani Yarima, House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, House Whip, Hon Ado Dogowa, state Chairmen of the party among others.

    Read Also:APC State chairmen seeks tenure elongation for Oyegun, others

     

  • Buhari to chair APC NEC meeting

    Buhari to chair APC NEC meeting

    President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to chair the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting coming up on Tuesday ahead of the party´s National Convention slated for Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Governors elected on APC platform, members of party’s Board of Trustee and National Working Committee (NWC) members among others.

    The meeting will also discuss national issues, the crisis within the party and take a decision on when its National Convention would hold.

    The national convention usually provides an avenue for the party to ratify its policies and programmes; elect or remove members of its NWC and amend its constitution if need be among other things.

    Source at the APC national secretariat said that the tenure of the present APC John Odigie-Oyegun-led NWC will expire in June, adding that new members would be elected at the party’s national convention slated for July.

    He said there were issues on whether the Odigie-Oyegun-led NWC should continue or be replaced.

    NAN reports that APC has been unable to hold the mandatory bi-annual non-elective convention since 2014 as stipulated in its constitution.

    The constitution makes it mandatory for the party to hold a bi-annual national convention to review party affairs and make necessary adjustments, where necessary.

    Article 25 (A)(i) of the APC Constitution specifically stipulates that the national convention of the party shall be held once in two years at a date, venue and time to be recommended by its NEC.

    The constitution further states that the date for the national convention must be approved by the party´s NEC, subject to the statutory notices given to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    At least 14-day notice will be given to eligible members to attend.

    Security operatives were seen around the APC National Secretariat carrying out surveillance around the premises ahead of Tuesday’s meeting.

     

  • Oyegun to Nigerians: Shun detractors of Buhari, APC

    Oyegun to Nigerians: Shun detractors of Buhari, APC

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, on Saturday called on Nigerians to shun those casting aspersions on President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and the party.

    Oyegun made the call at a grand rally to welcome People’s Democratic Party ( PDP ) members who defected to the APC on Saturday in Lokoja.

    The National Chairman said the President was God sent to heal the wounds of Nigerians adding that his administration has made tremendous improvement in the socio-economic and political development of the country.

    He said that the administration has diversified the Nigerian economy from being  oil-dependent to being an agriculture-based.

    He said there was an ongoing expansion of the rail network and power generation has stabilised at 7,000 Megawatts from 3,000 megawatts at the inception of the administration.

    “It is only the beginning of good things that are yet to come,” he said.

    Oyegun urged Nigerians not to listen to detractors of the President but be patriotic and support him to achieve more and make life worth living for every Nigerians.

    “Kogi will be one of the major sponsors on the day President Muhammadu Buhari decides to go for second term. They say we are quarrelling, they say we are fighting,  but credible people are trooping into APC”, he added.

    He advised Kogi people to support the administration of Gov. Yahaya Bello,  saying the governor has positively affected every facet of the state economy.

    “I am happy to be here today. I noticed one of the billboards when I was coming in saying, ‘A New Dawn for Kogi State’.

    “Kogi People, I want to congratulate you for having an energetic governor in Yahaya Bello.  This is a governor that is a good organiser, restless, energetic and full of ideas. I can feel a new energy in Kogi State”, Oyegun said.

    Speaking Gov Yahaya Bello urged Buhari to run for a second term in 2019.

    “We urge Mr President to run and fly in 2019. Twenty-four APC governors are ready to support you under the leadership of the National Chairman of the party, Mr John Oyegun.”

    Bello welcomed PDP members from the three senatorial districts of the state who defected.

    He said the APC was where they belonged in the first place adding, “come and sin no more.”

    He urged those still in PDP to come back home.

    Prof. Stephen Ocheni, Minister of State for Labour and Employment said the crowd was a testimony of the strength of the party in the state.

    Mr Edward Onoja, Chief of Staff to the governor said the party started with nine members of the state House of Assembly and 100,000 members,  but now has 19 legislators and  500,000 members.

    NAN

  • “Oyegun has no hand in Ondo APC Chair’s suspension”

    “Oyegun has no hand in Ondo APC Chair’s suspension”

    The Ondo state chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC) has criticized the report credited to its former state chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, blaming his suspension on the national leadership of the ruling party.

    The party in a statement by its Director of Media and Publicity Steve Otaloro, said Kekemeke in an effort to ‘distort’ allegations leveled against him by the party leading to his suspension, descended on the APC national leadership.

    It noted that the former chairman faulted the letter from the national Secretariat that appointed Ade Adetimehin as the acting state chairman.

    The statement also quoted Kekemeke of accusing the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun of unilaterally suspended him from office.

    Read Also: Ondo House of Reps aspirants worried over deplorable roads

    The party said “It is unfortunate that Kekemeke deliberately maligned our party national chairman and denigrated the highest authority of our party with a view to portraying himself as being innocent of all the allegations levelled against him.

    “All the allegations he levelled against the national chairman, according to him, are based on hearsay”

    The party pointed out that the former chairman as a lawyer should know that it was faulty to rely on hearsay to blame the national chairman in other to exonerate himself from exonerating from allegations against him.

    It noted that the choice of Oyegun as APC national chairman was not only based on his political prowess but his dignity to speak the truth at all times.

    The party however advised Kekemeke to wait till the issue will be sorted out by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s reconciliatory committee, stressing that his ‘concocted’ claims would not help his case.

    It said” the timing of this falsehood is wrong most especially when President Muhammadu Buhari has saddled the national leader,  Asiwaju Bola Tinubu with the role to reconcile all aggrieved members of the party”.