Ganduje, Yahaya Bello Reach Compromise on Kogi NWC Nomination Crisis 

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje and Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, have reached a compromise on the disagreement surrounding the nomination of candidates from Kogi State to fill the vacant position micro-zoned to it in the National Working Committee (NWC).

The disagreement occurred after the National Secretary of the party, Ajibola Basiru, announced the approved names of candidates to fill the six vacant positions in the NWC.

The six vacancies emerged following the resignation of three members, the ministerial appointment of two and the death of the former National Welfare Secretary, Friday Nwosu in March this year.

Recall that Bello and the state leadership of the party opposed the nomination of Hon. Duro Meseko as Deputy National Publicity Secretary and Hon. Ikani Okolo as Zonal Organising Secretary (North Central).

Aside from the Kogi impasse, both Edo and Abia were having a face-off over the position of National Women leader.

However, the governor and other stakeholders from Cross River State on Thursday stalled the scheduled inauguration of the six newly elected NWC members who were to replace former officers.

After waiting a whole day on Thursday for the party’s National Chairman at the party secretariat, Bello later left for Ganduje’s residence where he finally struck a deal around 12 midnight.

A reliable source told THISDAY that the governor was asked to nominate a replacement for the Zonal Organising Secretary (North Central) while the nomination of Hon. Meseko as Deputy National Publicity Secretary stands.

“After a series of negotiations and consultations with other stakeholders, based on the proposal of the National Chairman and in the interest of peace and exclusivity, the governor is to nominate the replacement for Hon. Ikani Shuaibu Okolo earlier nominated as Zonal Organising Secretary (North Central).

“It was also agreed that the nomination of Hon. Duro Meseko as the Deputy National Publicity Secretary stands.

“This decision will be conveyed to the National Leader of the party, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by the National Chairman yesterday (Friday) after the Jumat prayers and a new date for the inauguration of the six officers will be announced after the Villa meeting.”

Meanwhile, Abia APC caucus and stakeholders have  rejected the process employed by the party in replacing Late Nwosu as the National Welfare Secretary and the representative of Abia in the NWC. 

Addressing a press conference on behalf of Abia caucus yesterday in Abuja, Senator Chris Adighije said the Abia APC has a leader in the person of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ben Kalu who is supported by the Caucus/Stakeholders in nominating the replacement of Nwosu and the representative of Abia at the NWC. 

He said the above position of the Caucus/Stakeholders was communicated to the National Chairman in his office through two separate delegations led by Kalu and Senator Nkechi Nwaogu.

Adighije stated: “A letter of the stakeholders dated the 15th August 2023 signed by major stakeholders to which was annexed the list of attendance of the nomination meeting officially conveying Caucus/Stakeholders nomination to the NWC through the National Chairman, through the Zonal Chairman, South East and through the State Executive Committee was conveyed as well. 

“Considering that Abia APC does not have a Governor and that the Deputy Speaker who is the leader of the party in the state and the Stakeholders were not carried along by the NWC in reaching their decision, we hereby call on our National Chairman and the NWC to revisit their earlier decision.

“May we also call the attention of the President, the leader of our great party to this passionate appeal that will help Abia APC heal from the wounds inflicted on us by similar act of external interference in the activities of our state chapter in times past and allow us to unite and reposition Abia APC for greater prospects under the God-given leadership of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.”

But the officially recognised Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress on Thursday rejected in its entirety the imposition of a new National Welfare Secretary of the party, saying that it runs foul of the party’s constitution.   

In a press release signed by the state Chairman of the party, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu and the Secretary, Chief Chidi Avajah, the state leadership of the party called on the National Working Committee to reverse itself and respect the party’s constitution.   According to them, the constitution of the party is very clear on who has the mandate to nominate a replacement in case of vacancy, which they maintained falls squarely on the State Executive Committee.  

“The party pointed out that following the death of the last occupant of the office, Barrister F.N. Nwosu, the state chapter, in line with its mandate in APC Constitution, nominated its State Organising Secretary, Mr. Obinna Atuonwu and forwarded same to both Zonal and National organs of our great party for ratification.”   

The Abia APC stated that it “is deeply worried that some stranger elements are trying to destabilise the Abia State chapter of the party after their treachery and betrayals during the last election.”

It noted that it was this same group that had initially wanted to foist a suspended member of the party as replacement and “they were resisted. And when they realised their folly they now changed to their present candidate.”

“It’s not in the interest of the party that some chieftains of the party will just gang up and share party’s office using Mr. President’s name. But we know that Mr. President as a consummate politician respects the constitution of the party and due process. 

“Mr. President’s name should not be vainly used. We therefore, call on the National Working Committee of our great party as men of honour to refuse to be used in this unconstitutional and illegal voyage which is aimed at the usurpation of the powers and mandate of the State chapter of the party,” the Abia APC stated.    

While affirming its loyalty to Mr. President, the National Chairman and the National Working Committee, the Abia APC urged “the national secretariat of the party “to reverse this ugly division which will not stand the test of moral, political and judicial scrutiny.”

The Abia APC reinstated its belief that common sense and the constitution of the party should prevail, noting that Obinna Atuonwu remains the duly nominated National Welfare Secretary from Abia State.