LIVE UPDATES: 6 Chairmanship Aspirants Step Down, Write Crucial Letter To Buhari Ahead Of APC Convention
The All Progressives Congress (APC) will be holding its National Convention scheduled for Saturday, March 26. Delegates to the convention will be drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
Before this, there has been some crises in the ruling party.
Mai Mala Buni, the Yobe state governor and the chairman of APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC),was reportedly removed from office and his replaced with Abubakar Bello, the Niger State governor also a member of the Committee.
This generated a lot of crises. During this periods, Governors El Rufai of Kaduna state and Rotimi Akeredolu criticized the Buni.
Then there came speculations that the Caretaker Committee, especially Buni who is allegedly nursing Vice Presidential ambition was planning to postpone the exercise again and combined with the presidential primary election which is to hold between early April and June.
Nasir El-Rufai, consequently accused Buni of hiding a court document temporarily restraining the APC from holding its convention on March 26 until a substantive suit has been heard and determined by party leaders.
However, Buni, Bello, some ministers and top APC big shots went to London to marshal their cases before recuperating Buhari, the leader of the party.
Buni reportedly said he would not quit as CECPC chairman unless President Buhari wanted him to do so as claimed by his traducers in the party.
Now, the convention is happening.
Abdullahi Adamu emerges APC national chairman
Senator Abdullahi Adamu has emerged as the national chairman of the APC.
He is returned unopposed at the ongoing convention.
Buhari arrives at APC convention ground
President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived at the venue of the ongoing national convention of the APC at Eagle Square, Abuja.
The president arrived the venue about 8.25pm.
His arrival was followed by a recitation of the national anthem.
Oyedele dismisses south-west unity list, says he won't step down for Omisore
Engr. Ife Oyedele has dismissed the south-west unity list distributed to journalists at the Eagles Square.
Oyedele who is contesting for the position of national secretary, says he is not party to the list and won't stop down for the purported consensus candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore.
He told journalists at the convention ground: ''I am not aware of the list going round. I did not step down will never do so.''
South-South APC leaders agree on consensus candidates, reveals unity list
The leaders of the All Progressives Congress in the South-South APC have agreed on consensus candidates. Chare copies of the unity list were shared to journalists at the venue of the ongoing convention.
Southwest APC chieftains agree on consensus candidates, reveals unity list
The APC governors and other chieftains in the Southwest have agreed on consensus candidates. Copies of the unity list were shared to journalists, including Legit.ng reporter at the ongoing convention.
Southwest APC chieftains agree on consensus candidates, reveals unity list
The APC governors and other chieftains in the Southwest have agreed on consensus candidates. Copies of the unity list were shared to journalists, including Legit.ng reporter at the ongoing convention.
BREAKING: Yakubu Dogara withdraws from the race to be the APC national deputy chairman (north)
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara has withdrawn from the race to be the APC national deputy chairman (north)
APC national leader Bola Tinubu arrives Eagle Square
Finally, APC national leader Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrives Eagle Square for party's 2022 convention, moves around to greet delegates and key members present.
Framers of Nigeria's Constitution are very smart, Deputy Senate President Reacts to Umahi, Ayade's Defection, Court Cases
The Deputy Senate President Omo Ovie-Agege has described the framers of the Nigeria's 1999 Constitution as amended as smart.
Ovie-Agege said this while fielding questions from journalists at the national convention of the All Progressives Congress on Saturday, March 26.
He made the comment as he reacted to questions on the sack of the Ebonyi state governor, David Umahi by the court.
Recall that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had sacked Umahi and his deputy, Kelechi Igwe for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC.
Like Umahi, his colleague in Cross River, Ben Ayade also awaits similar fate in a suit filed against him in court for dumping PDP for APC.
Speaking on the fate of Umahi, the deputy Senate president said although as a lawyer he should not be making comments on issues before the court.
Ovie-Agege however noted that it is confusing that the framers of the constitution allows the lawmakers to be removed from their position when the cross carpet but governors are spared from same fate.
He said:
"I am aware that some members of the legislature, when they defect or cross carpet either at the federal level or at the state House of Assemblies the court removes them.
"But for the governors, the framers of the constitution did not allow that and I am sure it is for a reason."
"They are smart, the framers of the constitution are smart, there must be a reason but we will wait for the court to give us answers."
Omo Ovie-Agege speaking on ensuring that everything goes as it should
Ovie Omo -Agege speaking on ensuring that everything goes as it should said the APC would not give room to the opposition to work against it.
He said:
"It has become clear that the PDP cannot win any free and fair election. The only way they can win an election is through the courts."
"And that is why we just want to make sure that out house is in order before having this convention."
"We are happy that the convention is taking place today although we were never afraid that it won't take place."
He also said that it is normal for people or a group of people to have diverse opinion on issues and that the APC has had its own fair share of crisis.
Ovie-Agege added that the good thing is that the party came out strong from the crisis it faced.
Priority for people living with disabilities
Security operatives at Eagles Square give priority to people living with disabilities and allow them enter the venue of the APC convention without hassles.
Source: Original
Source: Original
Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Taraba delegates will not be allowed to vote
APC accreditation committee headed by Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege announces that Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Taraba delegates won't vote at the national convention due to court pronouncements.....however, statutory delegates from the three states will be allowed to vote
Emefiele for 2023 presidency
Despite PDP's call for Emefiele's resignation, supporters of CBN governor show up at Eagles Square with huge 2023 banners, placards.
Source: Original
Ekiti APC members protest at Eagles Square
Ekiti APC members protest at Eagles Square, reject Governor Fayemi's preferred guber candidate at national convention.
APC convention: Delegates, supporters force their way into Eagle Square
Tension at the APC convention venue as crowd supporters, delegates who were expected to wait at the gate for them to be screened forced their way in.
According to Legit.ng's Nnenna Ibeh who is monitoring the event, the security oepratives at the gate appeared to to have been overwhelmed by the number of people who managed to force themselves into the venue without proper screening.
The incidnet continued even after several attempts by the security opeartives stateioned at the entrance of the venue failed to close the gate.
APC Convention: Shouts of 'Osho Baba' rents the air as former APC chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole arrives Eagles Square
The presence of Adams Oshiomhole, a former national chairman of the APC, and Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi at Eagle Square elecrified the arena.
Speaking to Legit.ng, Oshiomhole said:
''I am happy that the party is going back to elect its leaders. This is a party of the ordinary Nigerian, not a party of big men.
"We have more people of goodwill in this party than evil doers. So, I am happy the convention is holding finally after so much delay.''
Organisers ask delegates, supporters to take their seats as President Muhammadu Buhari is expected in the venue anytime soon
On his part, Rotimi Amaechi stated:
'We had our issues in the past. All interests have been resolved. The president has intervened. This process will herald a new leadership and will prepare us for the next election.''
APC Convention: Police officers arrest 3 thieves
Agile and alert security officers stationed at strategic positions around Eagle Square were able to arrest at least three pickpockets on Saturday, March 26.
The criminals tried to take advantage of the crowd at the gate of the venue to steal phones and money of unsuspecting persons.
However, after some succesful attempts, the thieves were arrested.
A security operative who spoke with journalists without revealing his identity said:
“The three of them are operating in a syndicate, snaching people’s mobile phones and money.
“They took advantage of the mad rush by delegates at the gate to snach phones and money.
“What happened was that they didn’t know that we have stationed eagle-eyed policemen at the gate watching as delegates entered the venue.
“So that was exactly what happened, our officer caught them in action after they had snatched individuals’ mobile phones."
APC convention: Eagle Square charged with presence of party governors, bigwigs
Some All Progressives Congress (APC) bigwigs and governors have arrived the Eagle Square for the cscheduled onvention.
Among those whose presence were just noticed at the venue are Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger, Governor Yayaha Bello of Kogi, and Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa.
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Also, Femi Fani-Kayode was also spotted having a chat with the Kogi governor.
APC convention: Eagle Square charged with presence of party bigwigs, governors
Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, has arrived at Eagle Square, the venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention.
The minister was seen taking a tour of the stage.
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Also, more delegates are thronging into the convention venue after their accreditation which taking place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
APC convention: Tear gas, tasers, stampede cloud commencement of exercise
The inability of members of the All Progressives Congress (APC)'s organising committee for the national convention to control crowd at Eagle Square is leading to stampede and the use of tear gas by security officers.
Media sources claim that supporters and touts of aspirants who are eyeing posittions in the ruling party's National Working Committee (NWC) are struggling to make their way into the venue.
A report by The Cable quoted a frustrated man who was trying to get into Eagle Square:
“Where is my phone, please if you see an Android phone, please give me."
APC convention: Six chairmanship aspirants step down, write crucial letter to Buhari
Former governor of Benue state, Senator George Akume, has withdrawn from the national chairmanship race and endorsed Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
This latest development leaves Senator Adamu as the only contestant for the national chairmanship position.
Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Abudulaziz Yari, Mal. Saliu Mustapha and Mohammed Saidu Etsu.
These senators were said to have written a letter and sent same to Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF) Boss Mustapha for onward transmission to President Muhammadu Buhari.
APC convention: Security beefed up around Eagle Square as only one access gate is open
Only one access gate opened for delegates, journalists and vendors as thousands are struggling to gain entrance into the venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention, Eagle Square, on Saturday, March 26.
Other entrances to the arena have been barricaded with police vehicles except for cars with authorized identifications, TVC News reports.
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It was also gathered that decorators and party supporters are putting finishing touches on their banners and other stuff for the convention.
Osinbajo, Tinubu, Umahi, Bello banners take over Eagles Square as convention becomes campaign
What was supposed to be the All Progressives Congress (APC) national convention at Eagles Square, Abuja, on Saturday, March 26, has turned into a serious campaign for supporters of aspirants for the 2023 presidential election.
Campaign posters of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Governor Dave Umahi, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Yahaya Bello and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje have flooded the arena.
Source: Original
APC: Hours to convention, Senator Al-Makura withdraws from chairmanship race
Senator Tanko Al-Makura has withdrawn from the APC chairmanship race.
The former governor of Nasarawa state also endorsed Senator Abdullahi Adamu as the consensus candidate of the party.
APC electoral committee arrives Eagle Square
The electoral committee of the APC national convention has just arrived Eagles Square the venue of the convention.
The committee memebrs entered the venue with electoral materials, although their chairman, Kaduna state governor, Malam Nasir El-rufai, was not with them.
APC reveals actual number of delegates to vote in convention
Via its official and verified Twitter page on Saturday, March 26, the All Progresives Congress (APC) announced that 7,584 delegates vote in the coming national convention.
These delegates will decided who will be the next set of executive members of the ruling party, precisely leaders in the National Working Committee (NWC).
Read the party's tweet below:
Aspirants defy Buhari, refuse to embrace consensus
Some aspirants vying for various positions in the All Progressives Congress, including those seeking the office of the national chairman at today’s convention have refused to step down.
This is contrary to the appeal by President Muhammadu Buhari that those who would be voted into offices should emerge by consensus.
No Unity list
Despite the fact that some APC chieftains said that the party will adopt unity list in the forthcoming national convention, nothing of such has been announced yet.
According to the party, consensus remains its most preferred mode of choosing its next set of leaders nationwide.
In fact, the Senate president, Ahmad Lawan, insisted that a “unity list” will be ready and made public by Friday March 25.
Jerrywright Ukwu Jerrywright Ukwu is an Abuja-based senior political/defence correspondent. He is a graduate of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos and the International Institute of Journalism in Abuja. He is also a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. He spends his leisure-time reading history books. He can be reached via email at jerrywright39@yahoo.com.
Nnenna Ibeh Nnenna Ibeh is a journalist with over 10 years of experience with various media organisations including Premium Times. Being on the front burner of reporting politics and the different dimensions of governance, she is also passionate about girls' education and women's and children's health. With degrees in Journalism, Peace Studies & Conflict Res., and Dev. Studies, Nnenna has worked in the dev. sector as a communications officer for the Centre for Democracy and Dev. email: ibehnnenna@gmail.com
