Security is tight in and around the Eagle Square, Abuja, as the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gets underway.
At least 7,000 delegates from all over the country are expected to gather at the venue to ratify the candidacy of President Muhammadu Buhari as the party’s flagbearer for next year’s presidential election.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all roads leading to the venue have been shut to vehicular traffic by combined teams of heavily armed security personnel.
The agencies involved include: the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army.
Safety and emergency services such as the Federal Road Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the FCT Vehicle inspection Office (VIO) and the Federal and FCT and Fire Services are also taking part in the exercise.
Traffic is being diverted at major intersections several metres away from the venue on both sides of the Ahmedu Bello and Shehu Shagari Ways, and adjoining routes leading to the Eagle Square.
As at the time of filing this report at 2:30 p.m, the event had yet to start.
But the stage is set inside the Eagle Square where organisers are putting finishing touches to decorations on canopies and chairs prepared for delegates.
Meanwhile, hawkers and other traders have taken over the Federal Secretariat car park behind the square and roadsides outside the security perimeter around the venue, displaying their wares for customers.
NAN
Tag: APC convention
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Tight security as APC holds National Convention in Abuja
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National convention to hold before July – APC
The All Progressive Congress (APC) has revealed that its National Convention can not be moved further than June this year.
This was disclosed on Tuesday by the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Bolaji Abdullahi.
Speaking on Ray Power, he said: “We can’t move it further than June. I did not say the convention will take place in June. I’m not in a position to give you the date because it’s only the NEC of the party that will fix a date.
“After NEC meeting, we will be able to declare the timetable.
“The convention could not be organized in 2017 because President Muhammadu Buhari was out of the country on medical vacation.
“I have been talking about this convention. And I will continue to answer the question about this convention. We did not have the convention last year because the party went through difficult time. The president was out of the country on medical vacation. If it was wrong, yes, we admit responsibility. But in our best judgement, that would not be the best time to hold convention. But we are doing everything right now.
“We are happy the president is back in the country. We had National Caucus and NEC meetings. Now we are planning to hold it this year.”
Speaking on the ongoing National Working Committee (NWC) meeting of the APC, Abdullahi said that it was convened to deliberate on the activities of the party for 2018 not 2019 election as speculated.
“The meeting of the NWC is a routine meeting that kick-starts our activities for the year. It started yesterday (Monday). It continues today (Tuesday). And it will end tomorrow (Wednesday).
“But I can tell you that the meeting has nothing to do with the subject you have mentioned. No emissary is being sent. No conversation at all about 2019 or anything about Mr President’s participation in next election,” he said.