Accreditation of delegates to the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2022 National Convention has begun as delegates from across the federation thronged Eagle Square, the venue of the convention amidst tight security.
The New National Working Committee (NWC) members are expected to be elected at the convention to manage the party’s affairs for the next four years.
The party is currently being managed by a Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), headed by Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe.
The Eagle Square, venue of the convention, located in the Central Business District, is already wearing a new look with different shades of decorations.
Petty traders are taking advantage of the large number of party faithful, both at the party secretariat and Eagle Square, to carry out brisk businesses as they hawk branded T-shirts, wrappers, hats, key holders, wristbands and other souvenirs.
Heavy security presence has also been noticed not just at the Eagle Square, but around the entrance to the venue.
Most hotels in Abuja city centre, and even in the satellite towns, have been fully booked as early as a week before the convention.
APC Convention: Bottle water goes for N300
Meanwhile, the price of bottled water has risen from N100 to N300 due to high demand at the Eagle Square, Abuja, where the APC National Convention is holding.
A bottle of water, which was sold at between N100 and N200 in the morning, rose to N300 in the afternoon. Some sellers interviewed blamed the increase in price on scarcity.
“I came here with a truckload of water in the morning, but it has all been sold, I tried to get another truck but the road is already blocked by security agents for security reasons, that is why the price is high,” Mrs Gladys Idahor, a seller said.
Mr John Dyegh, another seller corrected the claim, alleging that he had to tip some policemen before he could get another supply.
“Naturally, we have to build in the additional cost, so that is why the price is higher,” Dyegh said.
He said he had recorded high sales at the convention.
Some local musicians and praise singers were taking advantage of the convention to make money.
The musicians and praise singers in groups were seen moving from one state pavilion to another entertaining guests.
APC Convention: Security agents arrest 3 pickpockets
Meanwhile, security agents have arrested three suspected pickpockets within the premises of the ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention in Abuja, after they were caught snatching handsets at the gate.
A security agency who spoke on anonymous condition told NAN on Saturday in Abuja, that the suspects took advantage of the commotion at the Eagle Square gate to snatch the mobile phones from their victims.
“The three of them are operating in a syndicate, snatching people’s mobile phones and money.
“They took advantage of the mad rush by delegates at the gate to snatch 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, ” he said.
The officer said that the suspects would be taken to the police headquarters for further investigation.
APC National Convention: Skeptics will be proven wrong – Gbenga Daniel
A former Ogun Governor, Chief Gbnega Daniel, says skeptics will be proven wrong at the end of Saturday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention.
Daniel told NAN on Saturday at Eagles Square, Abuja, venue of the convention, that APC was a great party.
”APC is a very big party. We are going to have a safe convention at the end of the day,” he said.
The APC chieftain said that the exercise would be successful, while the outcome would be acceptable to all.
The former governor said, ” Where there is consensus, it is okay, and where there is none, election will peacefully hold.”
According to him, all the ‘big names’ in Ogun are in APC.
”’We are one family,” he added.
