Live Updates: APC National Convention 2022

2: 01 pm

Adamu Emerges APC National Chairman

Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, late Saturday night emerged as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the 2022 National Convention of the party.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adamu emerged as the consensus candidate of the party after six other aspirants stepped down.
NAN observed that prior to the commencement of the convention on Saturday, former Gov. George Akume, had earlier on Saturday revealed that six of the APC Chairmanship aspirants had withdrawn from the race.

Akume, presently the Minister of Special Duties, was a  frontrunner in the chairmanship race before the reported endorsement of Sen. Abdullahi Adamu by President Buhari.

Akume made the revelation in a letter addressed to the APC Election Sub-Committee, National Secretariat, Abuja.

Adamu was therefore declared winner at the convention after a voice vote in which the ‘ayes’ had it.
NAN reports that the convention was attended by President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.
,Others are: President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC governors, former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu and other party members as well as delegates. (NAN)

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12:55pm

Buni: I’m Leaving APC Better, Stronger than I Met It

*Renames APC national secretariat after Buhari

Emameh Gabriel in Abuja

Outgoing Caretaker Committee Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, has said that he would leave behind a strong and united APC family to his successor. 

Buni on his valedictory speech at the APC national convention, gave account of his stewardship as the caretaker chairman of the party in the last two years, noting that his efforts have repositioned the party. 

Buni had come under fire in recent times over how he managed the cracks in the party, and was almost removed from office by some powerful forces that were allegedly backed by President Buhari in his last days in office through what many had described as a palace coup.

Buni was appointed to steer the affairs of the party after the removal of Adams Oshiomhole from office in 2019. His mandate however was to manage the crisis in the party and thereafter conduct a national convention that will produce a National Working Committee for the party.

But the convention was postponed several times. However, in his speech last night, Buni attributed it to the larger problems he inherited from a party he said was more polarised then and needed more time to be cured from its internal ailments.

While he thanked the President and stakeholders of the party for the support they gave to him in his days in office, Buni boasted that he was “more confident than ever, that with a population of over 41 million registered members and still counting, APC has the potential and capacity to remain Nigeria’s ruling party and indeed, Africa’s largest political party.”

He said: “I am delighted with your esteemed presence at this epoch-making occasion in the life of our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), as we assemble here for the National Convention, climaxing the transition process which started with the conduct of ward, local, and state congresses. Today, we are going for the zonal and national offices as well as, the ratification of the amended constitution of Africa’s largest political party, the APC.

*As you are aware, the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee which l am opportune to chair, is a child of circumstance constituted by the National Executive Committee (NEC), to restructure and reposition the party.

“Your Excellencies, distinguished personalities, ladies and gentlemen, permit me to quickly reflect on some of the modest achievements recorded by the party under the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee whose tenure is ending today, for us to appreciate how far we have gone in revamping and improving our beloved party.

“Upon assumption of office, the committee embarked on a genuine and all-inclusive reconciliation process to give everyone a true sense of belonging, confidence, and reassurance in the collective ownership of the party. 

“We, first of all, visited some critical stakeholders to engage them in resolving the disputes and other hanging disagreements in the party. While some of these visits were made public, others were done out of the public glare and without media publicity. Similarly, we visited some aggrieved chieftains who sincerely shared their ill feelings with the committee. We spoke to each other frankly, placing party interests above personal interests.

“I am glad to state that those frank discussions built a new hope in the hearts of the aggrieved persons such that, those who earlier left the party returned back, while those contemplating to forsake the party, never left.

“However, when we commenced the assignment, we realized that the problems on the ground had far outweighed our estimation of the time required to resolve the huge problems bedeviling the party. This made the initial Six months dateline grossly inadequate, unrealistic, and not practicable and therefore, the need for extension of more time. Happily, for every extension, we brought in additional values with positive developments into the party.

“Having reconciled substantial stakeholders, members and groups, the committee commenced membership registration and revalidation exercise, being one of the mandates of the CECPC, to establish the party’s numerical strength for proper planning and mobilization. The exercise provided our new members the opportunity to register as legitimate members of APC with equal rights, privileges, and opportunities, as well as, to give back the ownership of the party to the members, using the bottom-top approach. 

“I am glad to state with all sense of fulfillment that the membership registration and revalidation exercise, recorded over 41 million members who registered with the details of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) and passport size photographs. This unprecedented increase in membership from the previous 11 million registered members to over 41 million registered members, provides the party with an added advantage of winning elections in Nigeria with landslide victories”, he said. 

“The Caretaker Committee, made history with an unparalleled record of high-powered defections into the party. Three serving governors of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Engr. Dave Umahi, Cross River State, His Excellency Dr. Ben Ayade, and Zamfara State, Alhaji Bello Mutawalle, defected along with Millions of their supporters from PDP into the APC.

“I am glad to add that the fortunes of the party were further enriched with the defection of former Speakers of the House of Representatives, former PDP national chairman, member PDP Board of Trustees, several Distinguished Senators and Honourable members of the House of Representatives and state assemblies, and several other heavyweights cutting across all the geo-political zones of the country.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Adamu emerged as the consensus candidate of the party after six other aspirants stepped down

NAN observed that prior to the commencement of the convention on Saturday, former Gov. George Akume, had earlier on Saturday revealed that six of the APC Chairmanship aspirants had withdrawn from the race.

Akume, presently the Minister of Special Duties, was a  frontrunner in the chairmanship race before the reported endorsement of Sen. Abdullahi Adamu by President Buhari.

Akume made the revelation in a letter addressed to the APC Election Sub-Committee, National Secretariat, Abuja.

Adamu was therefore declared winner at the convention after a voice vote in which the ‘ayes’ had it.
NAN reports that the convention was attended by President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

,Others are: President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC governors, former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu and other party members as well as delegates. (NAN)

12:35pm

Convention: Buhari Charges APC Members to Remain Strong, United

Udora Orizu in Abuja

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has expressed the optimism that the best days of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are still in the future.

Gbajabiamila who stated this in his remarks at the national convention of the party in Abuja, said that the success of the convention has triumphed over all cynicism and apathy.
He urged party faithfuls to set aside personal interests and ambitions to work together to deliver a successful convention that they can all be proud of.

The Speaker said, “Fellow progressives, we have travelled a long and hard road to arrive at this day. Through trial and tribulation, disagreement and reconciliation, misunderstanding and compromise, we have convened here to elect for our party a new national leadership to lead us at this critical time in the history of the progressive movement. But our gathering here today is more than just about an election. 

This convention honours the courage and sacrifice of the men and women across the length and breadth of Nigeria who banded together to build a new political movement capable of seeking and achieving political power and using that power to improve the lives of the Nigerian people. 

“The All Progressives Congress (APC) is a triumph of vision over cynicism and principled action over apathy.  As it was in the beginning, so it remains today.  Together, we are a living monument to the principle that when patriots stand together in a righteous cause, God is ready to bless the works of their hands.  And from our union of progressives has emerged substantive, long-lasting change that will stand to the benefit of our country for years to come. Through multiple electoral contests, many battles won and lost; through growth and expansion, it sometimes feels like the bonds of our brotherhood have frayed, and we have moved farther apart from each other.  I urge this convention to remember the ideals and principles of our founding and let us, in that remembrance, rediscover the promise of our union. 

He added, “I believe that for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, our best days are ahead of us.  Our party, like our country, is going through a process of rebirth. We have the power and opportunity to build a political party that can stand the test of time and lead our country to a future of abiding peace and universal prosperity.  We have answered that call and must now work together to make ourselves worthy, and by so doing, write our names, each and together, in the good book of history for all generations to come.”

11:35pm

APC Convention: Our Best Days Ahead, Says Gbajabiamila

Deji Elumoye in Abuja 
President Muhammadu Buhari has called on members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to remain united and strong and also support the incoming leadership of the party ahead of the forthcoming 2023 General elections in the country.This is just as the President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, said President Buhari will remain the compass of APC even after leaving office by May, 2023.

Speaking at the Eagle Square, Abuja, venue of the extra ordinary National Convention of the party on Saturday night the, the President said the Convention was coming at a crucial time when there is need to prepare for another round of a general election. He said: “Therefore, the need to remain strong and united for the Party to exploit the rich and abundant potentials at its disposal cannot be overemphasized. We appreciate the right to hold different opinions and aspirations, however, such differences must not be to the detriment of the Party.

Earlier in his remarks at the convention, President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, declared that President Buhari will continue to provide leadership to the All Progressives Congress (APC) beyond 2023 after his exit from office. 
According to him, President Buhari’s ability to sustain unity within the party against all odds, positions him favorably as the “compass” needed to give direction to the party at all times. 
Details.later…

11:30pm

6 APC Chairmanship Aspirants Step down for Adamu

Six national chairmanship aspirants in the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship race have stepped down for Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, adjudged the preferred candidate of the party’s leadership for the position.
Adamu had been endorsed by President Muhammad Buhari after series of meetings with governors of the party in the build up to national convention.

This was stated in a letter addressed to the Chairman, APC Election Sub-Committee and signed by one of the aspirants, Sen. George Akume, made available to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja.

The letter reads: “May I kindly refer to the appeal by President Muhammad Buhari for the chairmanship aspirants of our great party to agree to a consensus arrangement wherein our colleague Sen. Abdullahi Adamu is made our consensus candidate for the chairmanship position,” said Akume.

He forwarded letters of withdrawal from Sen. Tanko Al-Makura, Sen. George Akume, Abdulaziz Yari, Sen. Sani Musa Muhammed, Etsu Muhammed and Malam Saliu Mustapha.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the APC had earlier in a tweet, said no fewer than 7, 584 delegates would vote at the convention.

Gov. Abudulahi Sule of Nasarawa State had earlier hinted that President Buhari had appealed that the party should come up with a consensus candidate to ensure a peaceful and rancour-free convention

Sule, chairman APC Sub-Committee on Media and Publicity for the National Convention, said the decision followed President Buhari’s appeal for a consensus candidate.
He said the party’s leadership might refund money paid by aspirants for the purchase of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms after the emergence of consensus candidate.

“This was an appeal made by Buhari to show leadership; he said once we agreed on the consensus, it is only fair that what they paid to purchase the forms be returned to them.
“That is his request, and I am telling you, his request will be honoured, because we know he is doing it sincerely for the benefit of the party.

“It was a request actually made by the president to the leadership of the party and the leadership were there, so, I will say that the leadership of the party also agreed,” Sule had said.

The APC chairmanship aspirants paid N20 million each to purchase the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to contest the position zoned to the North-Central by its leadership.
NAN reports that the APC National Convention is a climax of activities which started with Wards, Local Government and State Congresses.

Sixty-five National Working Committee (NWC) members are expected to be elected at the convention, including 21 NWC members and 45 non NWC members.
The party’s affairs until now, was being managed by the Gov. Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) whose tenure comes to an end after the convention. (NAN)

10:40pm

APC Membership Rises from 11m to 41m, Says Buni

*Says party has capacity to stay in power beyond 2023

 Gov. Mai-Mala Buni of Yobe says the membership of All Progressives Congress (APC) rose from 11million to 41million as a result of the membership registration/ revalidation conducted by the outgoing leadership.

Buni, also the outgoing Chairman, APC Caretaker/ Extra Ordinary Convention Committee (CECPC) said this at the APC National Convention on Saturday in Eagle Square, Abuja.

He said that the figure could rise beyond the 41 million as the registration was still ongoing.
Buni said that the CECPC also succeeded in reconciling many aggrieved members of the party as well as attracted three serving state governors from Zamfara, Cross River and Ebonyi from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the party.

He said that the Caretaker committee has been able to turn around the fortunes of the party from a crisis ridden party to a party with great prospects saying that the party now has the capacity to stay in power beyond 2023.
Buni lauded President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the leadership and membership of the National Assembly and other critical stakeholders for the successes recorded by the party.
He said that the APC CECPC has been able to compete work on the party’s national secretariat in Abuja as well as settling outstanding payment for the building.

Buni said that the party has also renamed the secretariat after President Muhammadu Buhari in recognition of his exemplary leadership style.
He also expressed optimism that the APC would emerge stronger at the end of national convention, even as he lauded Buhari for working tirelessly to resolve the impasse that preceded the convention. (NAN)

9:00pm

APC Convention: Buhari Meets Buni, Lawan, Gbajabiamila 
Deji Elumoye in Abuja 
President Muhammadu Buhari who arrived the venue of the national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is about now meeting with the Interim National Chairman of the party, Mao Buni and the leadership of the National Assembly. Upon entering the VIP stand after the recitation of the National Anthem, the President after waving to top notchers of the party, proceeded to a room to confer with Buni, Senate President Ahmed Lawan and House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila. 

8:34pm

Buhari Arrives Eagle Square, APC Convention Commences 
Deji Elumoye in Abuja 
President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived the Eagles Square, Abuja, venue of the extra ordinary national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).The President whose official car got to the VIP wing of the convention venue at about 8.23pmmade straight to the bullet proof wing of the Eagles where the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who had earlier arrived at 8pm and other top government officials were seated.Others in the VIP wing include Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila; former governor of Lagos State and Presidential aspirant of the APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 22 state governors and party members from the two chambers of the National Assembly.With the arrival of President Buhari about five hours behind schedule, the APC convention, during which new set of national leaders to run the affairs of the party for the next four years will be elected, will start in earnest.

8:05pm

APC Consensus Candidates’ List Emerges

A list of consensus candidates of the All Progressives Congress has emerged. The list of consensus candidates seen by THISDAY Saturday night was signed by all the APC governors.

Top on the list is Senator Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa State) who emerged as the consensus candidate for the position of national chairman.  Senator Adamu is President Buhari’s preferred candidate for the party’s topmost position.

Other consensus candidates are Senator Abubakar Kyari (Borno), Deputy National Chairman North; Chief Emma Eneukwu (Enugu), Deputy National Chairman South); Otunba Iyiola Omisore (Osun), National Secretary; Barrister Festus Fuanter (Plateau), Deputy National Secretary; ; Muhazu Bawa), National Vice Chairman North  Central; and Mustapha Salihu (Adamawa), National Vice Chairman NorthEast).

The National Convention of the party is under way at the Eagle Square  in Abuja.

The consensus candidates’ list also include Salihu Lukman (Kaduna), National Vice chairman North West; Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu (Imo), National Vice Chairman South East; Chief Victor Giadom (Rivers), National Vice Chairman South South; DI Kekemeke (Ondo), National Vice Chairman South West; Ahmed El-Marzuk (Katsina), National Legal Adviser; Uguru Matthew Ofoke (Ebonyi), National Treasurer; Bashir Usman Gumel (Jigawa), National Financial Secretary; Suleman M Argungun (Kebbi), National Organising Secretary; Barrister FN Nwosu (Abia), National Welfare SSecretary; Barrister Felix Morka (Delta), National Publicity Secretary; Senator Abubakar Maikafi (Bauchi), National Auditor; Dr. Betta Edu (Cross River), National Women Leader; Abdulahi Dayo Israel (Lagos), National Youth Leader; Tolu Bankole (Ogun), Special (Persons with Disability (PWD) Leader; Barrister Ibrahim Salawu (Kwara) Deputy National Legal Adviser; and Hon. Omorede Osifo (Edo), Deputy National Treasurer.

Others are: Hon. Hamma Adama Ali Kumo (Gombe), Deputy National Financial Secretary; Nze Chidi Duru (Anambra), Deputy national Organising Secretary; Yakubu Murtala Ajaka (Kogi), Deputy National Publicity Secretary; Dr Christopher Akpan (Akwa Ibom), Deputy National Welfare Secretary; Olufemi Egbedeyi (Oyo), Deputy National Auditor; Zainab Abubakar Ibrahim (Taraba), Deputy National Woman Leader; Jamaludden Kabir (Zamfara), Deputy National Youth Leader; Oluwatoyin Opawuyi (Kwara), National Ex-officio North Central; Sirajo Dahuwa (Bauchi), National Ex-officio North East; Aliyu Ahmed Yako (Kano), National Ex-officio North West; Rt Hon. Agunwa Anekwe (Anambra), National Ex-officio South East; Hon. Diriwari Akedewei (Bayelsa), National Ex-officio South South; Mrs Bunmi Oriniowo (Ekiti), National Ex-officio South West; Yakubu Mohammed Adamu (FCT), Zonal Secretary North Central; Mohammed Wali Shettima (Yobe), Zonal Secretary North East; and Barrister Bello Goronyo (Sokoto), Zonal Secretary North West.

Also on the consensus candidates’ list are: Lamido Mohammed (Gombe), Zonal Secretary North East;  Musa Makafiya (Zamfara), Zonal Secretary North West; Mr Augustine Onyedebelu (Imo), Zonal Secretary South East; Ayo Afolabi (Osun), Zonal Secretary South West; Oluwatoyin Opawuye (Kwara), Zonal Secretary North Central; Hon. Zainab Abubabakar Aiman (Gombe), Zonal Secretary North East; HajiyaHadiza Shagari (Sokoto), Zonal Secretary North West; Moshood Erubami (Oyo), Zonal Leader of Person With Disability (South West); Hon Mimi Uchenna Diyokeh (Enugu) Zonal Women Leader South East; Miss Caroline Owugha (Bayelsa), Zonal Women Leader South South; Mrs Yetunde Adesanya(Ogun), Zonal Women Leader South West; Zubairu Aliyu (Kwara), Zonal Youth Leader North Central; Jason Baba Kwagha (Adamawa), Zonal Youth Leader North East; Abdulhamid Umar Mohammed (Kano), Zonal Youth Leader North West; Hon Ikenna Anyawelechi (Abia), Zonal Youth Leader South East; and Ismail Kolawole Majoro (Oyo), Zonal Legal Adviser South West.Others are: Hon. Ahmed Attah (Kogi), Zonal Organising Secretary North Central; Abubakar Adamu Musa (Taraba), Zonal Organising Secretary North East; Salisu Uba (Zamfara), Zonal Organising Secretary North West; Dozie Ikedife (Anambra), Zonal Organising Secretary South East; Hon Blessing Agbome (Edo), Zonal Organising Secretary South South; Lateef Ibirogba (Lagos), Zonal Organising Secretary South West; Barrister John Okoho (Benue), Zonal Publicity Secretary North Central; Azobu Innocent Itapa (Ebonyi), Zonal Secretary South East; Dr. Ita Udosen (Akwa Ibom), Zonal Secretary South South; Vincent Bewaji (Ekiti), Zonal Secretary South West; Barrister Hadiza Aliyu (Kogi), Zonal Legal Adviser North Central; Barrister Dauda Chakpo (Taraba), Zonal Legal Adviser North East; Barrister Bashir Usaini Dutse (Jigawa), Zonal Legal Adviser North West; and  Barrister Mayor Ogbona Earnest  (Ebonyi), Zonal Legal Adviser South East.

7:32pm

Three Hours after, APC National Convention Yet to Take off
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
The much-awaited national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) billed for Saturday at the Eagles Square in Abuja is yet to commence more than three hours behind schedule.
The convention, which was scheduled to begin by 3.30pm shortly after the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari by 3.15pm is yet to take off by 6.45pm.
While most of the 22 APC governors had arrived and taken their seats at the VIP section of the Eagles Aquare, President Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo are yet to arrive the convention venue.
The delay in the take-off of the event may not be unconnected with the inability of the APC  to fully realise its consensus targets as some of the aspirants were seen rigourously pushing up lobbying and campaigns at the convention ground.
President Muhammadu Buhari had solicited the leaders and members of the party to strive to achieve consensus for all positions in the party ahead of the convention. 

He held meetings with various critical stakeholder groups within the party, including the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), founding fathers of the party and chairmanship aspirants, among others, in the days leading to the all-important national convention.

However, at the convention ground on Saturday, some supporters of aspirants, in their large numbers, went round the 36 sates and FCT pavilion, soliciting votes for their aspirants.

One of such cases was the crowd that followed an aspirant for office of National Legal Adviser, Ahmed Usman, bearing a large banner that called on delegates to vote for the aspirant when the time comes.

7:28pm

APC Convention: Anxiety over Alleged Dumping of Consensus Deal by Govs 
* 20 posts are now unopposed, says Jigawa Gov
Deji Elumoye in Abuja 

There was palpable tension at the Eagle Square, venue of the national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as some governors were alleged to have moved against the consensus agreement reached on the national chairmanship position. 

Speculations were rife Saturday evening that the lengthy delay in the take-off of the event was due to the threat by some governors to ditch the agreement reached on Senator Abdulahi Adamu as the consensus candidate for the post and instead were poised to direct their state delegates to vote for another person. 

There was also unconfirmed report that some governors were toying with the idea of staging a walkout.
As at the time of this report, delegates, party supporters and observers were still anticipating the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari while being entertained by artistes from different sections of the country. 
At about 6.50pm, Governor Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa State, who is the Chairman of the Convention sub Committee announced to the delegates that the party was still working to reach consensus on all positions so that there would be no need for election. 

According to him, agreement had been reached on at least 20 posts. 

He therefore appealed to other aspirants in the interest of the party to follow suit by ensuring that a consensus was reached on the other positions.

7:22pm

APC Bars Delegates from A’Ibom, Bayelsa, Sokoto, Taraba

Chuks Okocha in Abuja 
There are indications that delegates from states whose excos have litigations will not be voting at the ongoing national convention of the All Progressives Congress holding in Abuja.
The States include Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Taraba.
The election of the state executive committees of the affected states are subject to litigation, hence the decision of the party.
It was gathered that the party’s decision may affect only the elected delegates while the statutory delegates from the affected states will be allowed to vote.
Reacting to the party’s decision, a faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Bayelsa State has already accepted the decision of the National Convention Committee of the Party to exclude Bayelsa delegates from voting due to issues of pending litigation over the Wards, Local Government and State congresses.
It was gathered that due to the new development, only statutory delegates from the state will participate in the ongoing APC convention.
According to the factional group loyal to the former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the decision has given relief to the aggrieved members of the party in the state and renewed the trust of the progressive members of the party in the national leadership of the party.
A member of the faction, Hon. Sunday Frank Okputu, while speaking in Yenagoa on Saturday, argued that the decision not to allow all delegates of the party from Bayelsa State is right and has saved the party from any disaster that may arise from the subsisting litigation over the authenticity of the last ward, local government and state congresses.
Frank-Okputu commended the caretaker leadership, the Reconciliation Committee and every member of the APC for upholding the agitations of those against impunity in Bayelsa APC.
“They have saved the national leadership of the party from doom because the pending litigations could damage the outcome of the convention. It will ensure that there is sanity in the process.”
“The decision is worthy of emulation and will ensure that there is sanity in the way things are done within the party. You can not run into a house from the back door and claim to be right. The decision to exclude purported delegates from Bayelsa will ensure that the right things are done in line with the provisions of party rules and the Electoral Act as amended.”
He added, “I thank all party faithful in Bayelsa that kept faith with the true progressives led by Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri. It shows we were on the right path and to ensure the right people are allowed to lead the party in the state.”
It would be recalled that few hours to the National Convention of the party, the Secretary of the subcommittee of Accreditation, Alhaji Tijani Musa Tumsah, had announced that only statutory delegates from Sokoto, Bayelsa, Akwa-Ibom and Taraba States will be allowed to vote due to pending litigations.

4:31pm

2023: Youth Groups Storm APC Convention, Endorse Emefiele for President

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja 

Various groups of youths across the country, in their hundreds, stormed the Eagles Square Convention ground of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja Saturday and demanded that the Central Bank Governor (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, should declare his ambition to contest the 2023 presidential election without further delay. The mammoth crowd consisted of women, young professionals and other Nigerians who wore Emefiele’s branded colourful apparels.
They were led by the APC League of Young Professionals, Ethnic Youth Leaders’ Council, and the Emefiele Support Group. 
The groups overran the convention ground with calls on the CBN Governor, to contest the presidency in 2023. Addressing the media, the group reiterated the need for a worthy successor to President Muhammadu Buhari.
He claimed that Nigeria cannot afford to miss the golden opportunity of electing a financial expert and globally renowned economist like Emefiele at this time in Nigeria’s history. 
Mallam Kabir Buba, who spoke on behalf of the group, explained the type a leader Nigeria deserves in 2023, added that: “Such a successor must be a professional, loyal to the president, a technocrat, a patriot and detribalised Nigerian.
“He must be one who has been part of the progress recorded in this administration and a less controversial leader. 
“Most importantly, he must be a unifier and peace builder, someone to douse the South-south quest for one more term and satisfy the Igbo agitations for the presidency.”
The groups added that Emefiele fits the bill and is the man to continue to consolidate and expand the progressive legacies of President Buhari. The groups’ leaders emphasised the CBN Governor’s patriotism and his irrepressible commitment to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy.
They said his good character and attributes would make him a worthy successor to the president. 
They said: “As an experienced economist with more than 26 years of commercial banking experience, Emefiele is well equipped to place Nigeria amongst developed and wealthy nations in the world.” They insisted that his recorded achievements were too many to mention. 
They re-emphasised that Emefiele, having worked in the two political divides, appointed by the Peoples Democratic Party government, and retained by the APC as the CBN Governor, has continued to show great dedication and commitment regardless of political alliances.
According to the groups’ spokesperson, “Over seven years as the CBN Governor, he has saved Nigeria twice from economic recession and created initiatives that target job creation with over seven million jobs.”

4:14pm

Oshiomhole Arrives Convention Ground amid Cheers from APC Members 

Emameh Gabriel in Abuja

Former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, stole the show at the APC national convention when he walked into Eagle Square amid cheers by party faithful. 

The former APC national chairman was seen dressed in his usual labour uniform, escorted by his supporters. 

Oshiomhole danced to the admiration of delegates who chanted “Oshobaba”,  “Oshioquake” and showered him with encomium.

Fielding questions from journalists, Oshiomhole said God had shamed few enemies of the party who wanted to cause confusion in the party. 
He said that the convention was holding today, was a sign that God was at work. 

4:09pm

South-South APC Consensus List Emerges
*Delta gets national publicity secretary, Rivers settles for vice national chairman
Chuks Okocha in Abuja 
South south zone has released the list of consensus candidates with Delta state picking the office of the National Publicity Secretary, while Rivers got the office of the national vice chairman for the South south. 
The list of nominees as consensus candidates was signed by Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, Secretary of the CECPC, Senator John Akpanudoudehe; Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Ameachi, and Minister of Niger-Delta, Godswill Akpabio.
Others who signed the list were the party’s former Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole; a former Minister of State for Agriculture, Heineken Lokpobiri, and former Edo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Imasuen.
Also at the meeting where the decision was made was Mrs Stella Okotete, the representative of women in the Caretaker Extraordinary Committee; representative of the South-South in the CECPC, Mr David Lyon; Sen. Ita Enang, Sen. Magnus Abe, Mr Victor Giadom and Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege.
However, all the six states in the region were allocated at least an office as shown in the list.
Top on the list of the beneficiaries is the former deputy National Secretary of the party, Victor Giadom, who is returning to the party as National Vice Chairman (South-South) and a member of the NWC.
Giadom, a former commissioner of works in Rivers State, became popular when he pronounced himself the acting national chairman of the party, an action that finally led to the sacking of a former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole as the party’s national chairman almost two years ago.
Other adopted candidates are Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu (National Women Leader), and Mr Felix Morka (National Publicity Secretary).
A  statement issued by the stakeholders said that the three party members were adopted at the last meeting of the stakeholders held in Abuja.
The National Vice Chairman South-South is zoned to Rivers/Bayelsa states, National Women Leader to Akwa Ibom/Cross River states and National Publicity Secretary to Edo/ Delta States.
While Governor Ayade picked Edu (Cross River) for the National Women Leader, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi,  was said to have picked Giadom  (Rivers State) for the position of National Vice Chairman.
Omo-Agege was also said to have picked Morka (Delta State) for the National Publicity Secretary position.
The position of others who obtained the expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the positions was not clear as at press time.

3:57pm

Stampede at Convention Venue, Police Deploy Dogs to Control Crowd
Chuks Okocha in Abuja 
There was stampede at the ongoing NationaI Convention of the All Progressive Congress, at the Eagles Square, Abuja. More than 30 people were injured, including a pregnant member of the party.
Police dogs were however deployed to control the large crowd of delegates.
According to an eyewitness, police and Civil Defence Corps chased the delegates and the party supporters with dogs.
THISDAY gathered that the delegates had stormed the venue waiting for clearance since 6:30am.
Delegates and other party men and women lost their patience and started pushing themselves as they complained about the slow pace of the clearance.
It was gathered that the police had to use teargas as the crowd became uncontrollable and in the process, stampede ensued.
The policemen were seen beating people with batons as they tried to control of the crowd.
Some were said to have sustained injuries at the entrance of the venue where the massive crowd was waiting to be screened by the security agents.
It was learnt that the screening pace was slow because of the large crowd, when the stampede occurred and the security agents at the gate were helpless.
Some APC stalwarts and leaders were seen coming to the venue at about 12 noon.
The lateness was because of the various meetings to finalise arrangement for the consensus candidate.

2:38pm

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and Femi Fani Kayode arriving the venue of the convention 

2:14p.m

Osinbajo, Tinubu, Emefiele, Amaechi’s Posters Flood Abuja

Chuks Okocha in Abuja 

The banners, poster and billboards of key political figures believed to have interest in picking the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have been placed in strategic places in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja ahead of the convention holds today.
 The personalities whose pictures were displayed conspicuously in the banners, posters and billboards included Vice President Yemi Osinbajo,  former Lagos Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor of  Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, and Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
One of the banners showing the minister along Umaru Musa Yar’adua Expressway read: “Amaechi: Our Hope 2023”.
The billboards of Tinubu, Osinbajo, and Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State were also seen along the Airport Expressway. Also seen were APC national chairmanship aspirants’ posters, including those of Abdullaziz Yari and Senator Sani Musa (Niger East).
The billboards of former governors of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and Senator Tanko Al-Makura, as well as those of the Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator George Akume; a former deputy national chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Saliu Mustapha, were placed in other strategic locations in the FCT.
The posters were also conspicuosly displayed around the APC  convention ground at Eagle Square, Abuja
Also several first term governors used the occasion to display posters of their campaigns for second term in office  

Several posters and banners of Lagos, Osun, and Ogun governors were on display,  while posters of governorship candidates of   Ekiti and others were also seen. 
Tinubu campaign posters for presidential ticket of APC dominated most viable corners of the Eagle Square.

1:15PM

Breaking: Akume, Yari, Al-Makura, Others Step down for Adamu

In line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s advice, six aspirants contesting the national chairmanship position of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have withdrawn from the race.
In a letter dated 25th March, which was signed by Senator George Akume, the aspirants said their decision was premised on the advice of the leadership of the party to pick Abdullahi Adamu as a cencensus candidate for the position. 
The aspirants are: Senator George Akume, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, Abdilalziz Yari, Etsu Muhammed, Sani Musa Muhammed and Turaki Salifu Mustapha. 

The Letter

12:19P.M

Breaking: Musa Withdraws from APC Chairmanship Race, Backs Adamu as Consensus Candidate 

Emameh Gabriel in Abuja

A few hours to the convention, a frontline national chairmanship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, has announced his withdrawal from the race in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s advice for a concensus national chairman.

Musa’s spokesman, Nasir Mohammed, confirmed this a few minutes ago.

Musa, currently representing Niger East Senatorial District at the Nigerian Senate, announced his withdrawal from the race after the aspirants’ meeting with President Buhari the Friday and 24 hours to the convention scheduled for Saturday March 26, 2022 in Abuja. 

He pledged to back Senator Abdullahi Adamu as the consensus candidate for the seat in today’s convention.

11:43A.M

Convention: Security Personnel Battle to Clear Delegates at Venue
* Over 70% of delegates yet to gain entry into convention centre at 10 am

Emameh Gabriel in Abuja

Delegates to the APC National Convention at the Eagle Square, Abuja encountered intense scrutiny, as security personnel struggled to screen and clear them for participation.
THISDAY reports that the delegates started arriving at the venue as early as 7 a.m, amid tight security with their supporters playing music and chanting in different languages.
The convention venue and every axis in the 3 Armed Zone were littered with posters and placards carrying photographs of aspirants for various national offices, presidential hopefuls an other positions.
The situation at the venue later became chaotic, as delegates struggled to enter through the only gate reserved for them, leading almost to a stampede.
As at the time of this report, most journalists assigned for the event were still struggling to gain access into Eagle Square.
Journalists, who were also caught in the web in efforts to enter the venue, were chased away. 
A THISDAY reporter also sustained a minor injury in the process from a police officer.
At a point, the police had deployed force and security dogs to deter delegates from forcing their way into the first gate and this sent the crowd scampering for safety.
The programme of events for the convention indicated that delegates were to arrive for screening at 10 am but over 70% of them were still battling to gain access to the venue as at 10am.
Although security personnel have been able to manage the challenges, with only one entrance provided for thousands of delegates from the 36 states and FCT, it would be an impossible task to clear all of them today.
Food vendors and small business owners at the venue are making brisk business selling snacks and drinks at the venue.

See photos

7:44AM

Tight Security at Eagle Square, as APC Holds Convention Today
Emameh Gabriel in Abuja

There is a heavy security presence at Eagle Square Abuja, venue of the national convention of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

Security personnel are manning strategic locations and roads around the Eagle Square and Federal Secretariat, while armoured personnel carriers are stationed at the adjoining junctions.

Meanwhile, the roads along the axis have been closed to traffic, resulting in gradual build up of gridlocks.

Some APC supporters from across the country who arrived Abuja yesterday slept on roads at the Three Arms Zone to enable them gain easy access to the venue.

 See photos

7:00AM

After Months of Rancour, APC Convenes to Endorse Abdullahi Adamu as Chairman

*Few hours to voting, governors still struggling with Unity List for other NWC positions
Our Correspondents

After several months of intense fighting, over 5,000 delegates from across Nigeria will today gather at the Eagle Square, Abuja, to endorse former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu as the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Abdullahi Adamu deal was concluded last Wednesday after President Muhammadu Buhari summoned the 22 governors of the party to a meeting and decreed the adoption of consensus candidates for all the offices of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party. Thereafter, he nominated Adamu for National Chairman.

As at last night, all the chairmanship aspirants had withdrawn from the race in line with Buhari’s directives.
The Unity List for other NWC positions of the party was not decided during the governors’ meeting with Buhari. The President told the governors to meet and agree on this; that refunds of money spent on purchasing forms be made to all the aspirants unable to make the Unity List.

Unfortunately, as at last night, just a few hours before voting began, the governors could still not agree on the Unity List. So, no list had been sent out.
One of the positions still in dispute is that of the party’s National Secretary. Some governors want Iyiola Omisore, former deputy governor of Osun State, while some others want Ifeoluwa Oyedele, a 2020 governorship aspirant of the party in Ondo State.

 The choice of Waziri Bulama (Borno State) as National Organsing Secretary by the governors is also in dispute. Some top party members, including Governor Babagana Zulum prefer Senator Abu Kyari for the job.
 Those looking good to make the Unity List are Ken Nnamani (Enugu State) as Deputy National Chairman, South and Adamu Farouk (Jigawa State)) as Deputy National Chairman, North.

 However, if the governors are able to resolve the Unity List and send it out this morning as indicated by another source, it means the election today would be a mere academic exercise.

It would also mean that any aspirant still bent on contesting is free to do so, but once outside the Unity List, it is surely going to be a losing game, as the governors control the delegates who will vote at the convention.
Governor of Nasarawa State Abdullahi Sule, who is Chairman Media and Publicity sub-committee for the National Convention, refused to comment on the delay in the release of the Unity List at a press briefing yesterday, but simply said the list would still be released and would be used today.

 On the issue of political appointees voting at today’s convention, Governor Sule said: “Our delegates’ list is actually statutory. So, if you have a former president as a political appointee, if you have a former Senator as a political appointee, these are already automatic delegates, you know. So, let us not confuse the two because being an appointee does not necessarily take you out of being a delegate, because our delegates are classified clearly.
“So, most of the lists that we submitted, if you are talking of the ones who have submitted now, we don’t have commissioners, we don’t have advisors, we don’t have all those unless if somebody particularly was a former this or former that, in that case, you know, just being an appointee doesn’t completely exclude such a person from being a delegate.”

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan on Thursday expressed optimism that most of the new NWC members of the APC today will emerge by consensus.
“The next two days are so important to us that we must get everything spot on so that we don’t allow anyone to cause any problem. Thank God we are reaching consensus all over the states and zones and by the time we go into the convention ground, I’m sure there will be very few elective offices that will have to be voted for. Most would have been achieved through consensus,” Lawan said.

Lawan adds: “We, as a party, feel that this is a moment that is so critical to the existence of APC in Nigeria. We need to get the convention right. We need to have a very successful, peaceful convention where we elect our leaders that will run the affairs of the party for the next four years. Therefore, every hand must be on deck and what we have done is to come and say our hands are available to be on deck as always.

Programme of Activities

Eagle Square, venue of today’s convention, was sparkling yesterday, while virtually all the delegates had arrived.
According to the convention programme released by the APC, accredited delegates are expected to start arriving at the Eagle Square by 10 am.  Members of the National Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) will arrive by 1:30p.m.

APC state governors, National Assembly members, ministers and other party leaders are expected by 2:p.m. The President of the Senate and the Speaker, House of Representatives, will arrive between 2:10p.m and 2:20p.m.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo will arrive by 2:45p.m while President Buhari will arrive by 3:15p.m. The convention will then kick off.

There will be goodwill messages by Youth Wing, Women Wing, People Living with Disability (PLwD) and Diaspora Wing between 3:40 and 4:50p.m.
Remarks by the Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) and Representatives of Governors’ from each of the six geo-political zones will take place between 4:50 and 5:20p.m.
Remarks by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate will be between 5:25 and 5:35p.m.

Remarks by the Vice-President follow between 5:35 and 5:40p.m, while Special Remarks by President Buhari will be between 5:40 and 5:55p.m
After the welcome address by the CECPC Chairman, there will be a presentation of two motions.
These are the motion for the approval of Constitution as amended and the motion for the ratification of all activities carried out by CECPC.

Elections into Zonal and National Offices of the APC will then follow. Then, there will be the declaration of results and swearing in of the newly elected executives. The newly elected National Chairman is expected to make an acceptance speech.
Altogether, 21 NWC positions and 33 non-NWC positions are expected to be filled today.

APC Governors, Ministers Present Scorecards
Governors and Ministers of the ruling APC yesterday in Abuja presented a seven years’ scorecard to the party, to back their performance status over the former ruling PDP as they march towards 2023 campaigns.
The scorecard was presented at the party’s Pre-Convention Conference with the theme: Consolidating Democratic Change: Scorecard, Impact and the Road Ahead at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

At the event, governors and serving ministers on the platform of the APC took their time to chronicle the events leading to the formation of the party and the successes, challenges, and achievements made by the party, both at the state and national levels in the last seven years.

Present at the event were: Governors Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, Babagana Zulum of Borno, Fayemi Kayode of Ekiti, Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola
Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, said the APC government social investment programme was yielding good results as Nigeria had emerged the nation with the fastest growing social investment programme in the world.
Zainab also disclosed that Nigeria’s economy was now fully diversified due to different economic intervention strategies introduced by the Buhari-led APC government.