APC Holds National Convention April

This was part of a resolve taken after a closed door meeting with the the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) held at its national secretariat, Abuja, on Thursday

A statement issued by the party’s national publicity secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, at the end of the meeting noted that “the upcoming non-elective convention was also discussed and it was agreed that the convention will take place on April 29th”.

Chairman of the Governors Forum, Governor Yari Abubakar of Zamfara State, assured the party of the governor’s readiness to give maximum support to the Federal Government.

The National Chairman of the party, Mr. John Odigie-Oyegun, explained that the meeting is one of a series of meetings that will be held as a run-up to the national convention.

“This meeting is just one of the series of meetings we are holding in the run up to the non-elective national convention. We have held consultation with our leadership in the Senate and the House of Representatives. We are also going to hold consultation with ministers as part of the preparation for the national convention which is a mandatory requirement,” he said.

“It is a mandatory mid-term non-elective convention and the purpose is to allow us as a party and as government to sit down and see how far we have gone, what we have done right, access ourselves by bringing our leaders from all over the country to sit us once every two years and exchange ideas and listen to the achievement of their government.

“There are lots of things that must happen in preparation towards our non-elective convention which the states must be actively involved. We are going to have state congresses, ward congresses and fill vacancies. We will take the opportunity to feel every single vacancy at all levels of the party arising from death, appointment and others. We are also required to elect three delegates who will participate in the forth coming convention”.

Speaking on President Muhammadu Buhari’s health, the APC National Chairman, stated that the President properly handed over to a competent team led by the acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, before embarking on his medical leave abroad.

Oyegun said, “What makes me happy in spite of these negative speculations and attempt to destabilise the polity is that, thanks to his respect for due process and the constitution of this nation, he has left a structure that is functioning very effectively in spite of his unfortunate absence and one can say quite clearly that the wish of Mr President is that the government will continue to function efficiently and effectively and that the party also should continue and proceed to execute its normal duties and functions”.

The three hour long meeting had in attendance governors Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Tanko Almakura (Nasarawa), Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa), Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto) and Rochas Okorocha (Imo).

The governors of Lagos, Oyo and Niger were represented by their deputies.

Governors Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, Mohammed Jibrilla of Adamawa and Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun were not in attendance, a situation the national chairman blamed on “mis-communication”.