TheNewsGuru

Tag: National Convention

  • 2023 Election: YPP to hold presidential primaries June 1

    2023 Election: YPP to hold presidential primaries June 1

    Ahead of the 2023 general Elections, the Young Progressives Party (YPP), has fixed June 1, for the conduct of its national convention and presidential primaries ahead of the 2023 general elections.
    This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by Mr Egbeola Martins, the party’s National Publicity Secretary.
    Martins said the decision to hold the special national convention and presidential primaries was reached at the 17th National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held on Thursday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
    “The NWC has approved the timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2023 general elections.
    “This is in accordance with the Provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines.
    “Starting with the sales of nomination forms for all elective offices, which had commenced since March 14.
    “The schedule of activities will end with the special national convention and presidential primaries slated for June 1.
    “The congresses to elect Adhoc delegates will be held nationwide on May 14, while special congresses/primaries for the House of Assembly have been slated for May 20.
    “Special congresses/primaries for House of Representative and Senatorial aspirants have been slated for May 24 and May 26 respectively.
    “Special congresses/primaries for governorship aspirants have been slated for May 28, while the special national convention/presidential primaries will hold on June 1,” he said.
    On the security challenges being faced by the country the NWC condemned it.
    It particularly frowned at the recent killing of more than 90 people in Kanam and Kakura in Chikun Local Government Areas of Plateau and Kaduna states respectively.
    Martins said the committee prayed that government would bring the perpetrators to book.
  • APC Convention: Why I stepped down for Adamu – Mustapha

    APC Convention: Why I stepped down for Adamu – Mustapha

    Mallam Saliu Mustapha, one of the Chairmanship aspirants of All Progressives Congress (APC)at the just concluded National Convention, say he withdrew from the race in the larger interest of the party.

    Mustapha, also Turaki of Ilorin, said this in a statement by his media aide, Mr Dapo Okubanjo on Tuesday in Abuja.

    “Since our party held its long awaited national convention on March 26.

    “I and my team have been inundated with calls from political associates and friends, and even the media, on what they viewed as an unexpected turn of event that saw me stepping down on the convention day.

    “Indeed many would have wanted me to take the battle to the convention ground, because that was our goal, but we had to pull back in deference to our great leader President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “My decision to concede was never an easy one, but I pride myself as a core party man who does not joke with loyalty and party supremacy,” he said.

    He said that only a few years ago, he considered the greater goal of the party and Kwara by refusing to take steps that could have jeopardise its fortune.

    Mustapha said this was when he was unfairly treated at the Kwara governorship primaries, saying however, that he had no regret over the issue.

    He congratulated the new party leadership and urged it to hit the ground running.

    “The new executives should complete the reconcilation process which was started by Sen. Abudullahi Adamu, the party new national chairman,” he said.

    Mustapha who was the Deputy National Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), added that this was critical because of the 2023 general elections just a few months time.

    He commended members of his campaign team for their commitment and zeal.

    “To my political associates, friends, members of my campaign organisation and other volunteers in support groups across the country who all worked tirelessly on the project, I urge you all to keep the faith.

    “And I also won’t forget to appreciate the good people of Kwara for their unquantifiable support in spite of everything.

    “We may have lost a battle but we did not lose the war, we brought colour and brilliant ideas to the race, and indeed our party members and the leadership took notice.

    “We hope to meet with the new party executives led by Sen. Abdullahi Adamu with a view to sharing our thoughts on the way forward with them,’’ he said.

    Mustapha said that he remained loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari as he was one of the prime movers of The Buhari Organisation (TBO) some years back.

    Adamu emerged as APC new National Chairman on a concensus arrangement after six other aspirants stepped down for him.

    The aspirants included: Malam Saliu Mustapha, Sen. George Akume, Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Sen. Sani Musa, Sen. Tanko Al-Makura, former Gov. Abudulaziz Yari of Zamfara and Etsu Muhammed.

    This followed an earlier request by Buhari that a consensus candidate should be picked to ensure a peaceful and rancor-free National Convention.

  • APC convention, the night after – By Dakuku Peterside

    APC convention, the night after – By Dakuku Peterside

    It has been a long road to the APC convention, after 22 months of uncertainty and another long night at the historic and symbolic eagle square that ended the waiting game. At the end, the president and the conclave of governors triumphed. The fundamental tenets of democracy – freedom to choose candidates, individual conscience and conviction dictating the choice of candidate, and competition among candidates to demonstrate capacity and abilities for which they will get votes for in the quest for positions in the party administration – were all sacrificed for the stability of the party, marked by political horse-trading, high wired intrigues, reign of the oligarchs and permutations. This situation is similar to what transpired at the PDP convention last year.

    Unity List surfaced, endorsed by all the governors elected on the party’s platform. The emergence of a unity list, a product of behind the scene power-sharing arrangement, led all contestants to the party’s chairperson to step down from the contest and support Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the preferred candidate of Mr President for the post. Unity list is another word for democratic consensus and appears to be one of the Nigerian political class’s innovations offering to democracy.

    Although accepted as part of democratic practice, Unity List or democratic consensus may become undemocratic depending on its application. When people at the upper echelons of power orchestrate democratic consensus and force it on party members to deprive them of the opportunity to exercise their democratic freedom to choose the candidate of their choice based on their knowledge and conscience, democratic consensus becomes tyrannical and authoritarian. Its triumph, although expedient, may upend democracy and lead to political apathy.

    The big questions in dealing with Unity List or democratic consensus are: who determines the unity list and what criteria determine who is in the list? What is consensus about a Unity List, and who determines this consensus? How do we arrive at this consensus, and for whom? I must point out that when democratic consensus is reached based on broad base consultation of most party members and for reasons apparent to all that is germane for the development of the party and democracy, it might be a tool for growth and stability.

    However, when there is no broad consultation and the decision as to Unity List and the people in it do not have vast acceptance by members of the party but was decided by a few for selfish and parochial interests, it becomes a tool for oppression and dominance by power wielders – in this case, the tyranny of the governors and the president. Three key factors promote this tyranny of the governors; the first is unlimited access to state resources. The second is the lack of checks and balances by the various state houses of assembly, and the third is enlightened self-interest to protect themselves.

    I acknowledge the imperfections of our democratic system and our federalism, and I also understand the importance of the principle of fairness, equity, and justice in power distribution in our multi-ethnic and heterogeneous country. With utmost good intentions, we may resort to tinkering with the established western-style democratic ethos to achieve a greater good.

    However, we must exercise caution because the “road that leads to hell is paved with good intentions”. Sometimes, we can quickly lose the essence and purpose in tinkering with the tenets of established democratic practice.

    The fundamental principle of democracy is that power belongs to the people and that periodically, in a free and transparent election, they choose whom to transfer their powers to as leaders. Any process that takes away this power from the people, either in party or general elections, is an anathema to democratic progress.

    Although there may be a need to adapt our democracy to fit our local circumstances and needs, we must be careful that the democratic process is transparent and engages most people. It must be defined from ab initio in the political system and, most importantly, cannot lend itself to abuse by politicians and people who allow the fluidity of process to constantly achieve personal gains against collective gains.

    Two schools of thought compete for space on the issue of democratic consensus – those for it and those against it. Those against consensus argue that the democratic process is full of conflict and competition to decide whose ideas or views of how and who govern society triumph. Furthermore, they argue that the right thing is to allow all persons and ideas to compete freely. If there is a need for reconciliation, it should be after the people have made their choices. They also posit that it closes or restricts the democratic space for those who are not insiders.

    Those who support consensus believe it is the best way to preserve party unity in a fragile democratic system where democratic culture has not yet taken root. In the specific case of APC, the president needed to intervene for party cohesion and to forestall implosion. Those who are conversant with recent happenings in the party believe it was on the path of self-destruction.

    Each school of thought on democratic consensus has its pros and cons. However, mature democracies hardly rely on democratic consensus, and they have developed mechanisms to deal with democratic conflicts that emanate from a diversity of opinion, interests, and aspirations of members of the party or people in general. However, the current state of APC favours consensus. APC is in bad shape; the contention for the presidential ticket is taking a toll on the party’s health. This convention is too close to primaries preceding a general election.

    So, we hope that as democracy deepens in Nigeria (although some may argue that democratic consensus hinders progress to maturity), democratic consensus – be it in the form of unity lists, political zoning, or federal character principles, will reduce drastically, if not completely eradicated. They will only exist if we have adopted them now as part of our bespoke democracy that caters to our unique political circumstances and needs.

    One factor that drove the APC party’s decision to adopt a Unity List is the fear of the judiciary and the impact of the panoply of litigations and counter litigations that ensues as the aftermath of any conflict in the party. The judiciary is beginning to play a significant role in the parties’ internal affairs. Is this good or bad for democracy?

    Suffice it to say that the judiciary is the last hope of the ordinary person to seek redress and compensation when wronged. However, the judiciary is being weaponised to drag the party down or undermine the party’s unity. The fear is that if there is no unity list and there is an open competition and elections of the candidates for various posts in the party, losers may recourse to the judicial process to seek redress. Moreover, by so doing, this may cause distraction and tension just a few months to an all-important general election the ruling party are planning to win. The work needed now to achieve landslide victory for the party is enormous, and distractions from fights or conflicts from party elections will undermine this.

    Besides, all APC key actors agree that the stability of the ruling party is critical for the advancement of democracy in Nigeria, but their actions do not portray they know that. What is driving all key actors is positioning themselves to realise their political ambitions. This case is even more evident in the intractable “factionalisation” existing in most state party structures. These factions spill over to the national convention and cause disharmony and lack of cohesion. Little wonder proponents of democratic consensus felt that that is the only way forward to avoid mayhem.

    The convention was a success in some ways and had areas for improvement. The most important success is that it has voted in the “de jury” party chairperson and a national working committee to pilot the party’s affairs before and during the general election in 2023. About 46 NWC positions are contested and filled, including 21 NWC and 45 non NWC positions. Given the drama of party disunity prior to this convention, the party is better positioned to focus on the forthcoming election.

    However, I noticed that this convention was “game as usual”. The convention’s rhetoric and narrative toed the same line as the past and even mirrored the PDP convention. As was the case with PDP, much focus was placed on platitudes and niceties about the party’s progress, government, and areas they have done well throughout the APC convention. Speeches after speeches poured encomiums on President Buhari, and everyone seemed to be “patting everyone on the back” for a job well done so far. It is essential to state that the speeches of Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi, Rt Hon Femi Gbajabiamilaand Vice President Yemi Osibanjo were outstanding and profound.

    However, conventions should be times for reflections and critical analysis of what the party and the government it created have done to improve people’s lives and democracy. I must note that there was no discussion about the situation in the country, no discussion about the ideological underpinnings and policy direction of the party or how to deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians. Nobody talked about rising poverty in the land, perennial ASUU strike, inflation, insecurity, unemployment, and the many issues plaguing Nigerians, and the party stands on how to solve the problems.

    APC must ideologically and philosophically differentiate itself from other parties and be very clear about what it stands for, what it believes and what it is “selling to the people” – value proposition. This convention is a missed opportunity to deepen the core values of APC and instruct members of the unity of the “broom”.

    In the final analysis, the intractable APC convention for 2022 has come and gone. We have elected (selected) our party leaders primarily through democratic consensus. We do not yet know the effect on our democracy, and we cannot predict the impact accurately. Democratic consensus may either be an ingenious system that saved the APC convention from imploding or a knee jerk reaction that closed the political space and killed the democratic principle of the power of the party members to choose their leaders in a competitive party election without interference from any quarters. Only the future will tell, and political analysts and pundits will look back at this convention and pontificate on its impact on democracy in APC and Nigeria in general. Henceforth, Nigerians look forward to a peaceful APC that will focus more on the incoming general elections than political dramas within the ruling party.

  • APC National chairman urges party members, aspirants to show maturity, sportsmanship

    APC National chairman urges party members, aspirants to show maturity, sportsmanship

    Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, the newly elected National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called on party members, especially aspirants, at the just concluded National Convention to show maturity and sportsmanship.

    Adamu, current Senator representing Nasarawa West in the Senate, said this in his acceptance speech on Sunday, at the Eagle Square, Abuja, venue of the convention.

    He charged aspirants who lost at the convention and party members generally, to accept the outcome of the convention with grace.

    He congratulated those who aspired to occupy the party’s national offices, saying that although they did not succeed this time, they could succeed some other times.

    “They did not succeed this time, but in God’s time, many of them would yet realise their ambitions to serve our party and country in many other positions.

    “As politicians we are not strangers to gains, losses and disappointments, of the outcome of every political contest.

    “Let us show maturity and good sportsmanship and accept the outcome of this convention with grace.

    “Our party needs all hands on the steering wheel, so that together we can steer the ship of state through the inclement weather of our divisive national politics to the promised land,“ he said.

    Adamu, while thanking the aspirants and party members for their spirit of sportsmanship, said the new party leadership would continue to count on their co-operation as loyal party members and patriots.

    He expressed gratitude to the chairman and members of the APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee, (CECPC), delegates to the convention and the party’s leadership at various levels.

    Adamu lauded members of the party across the country for electing him and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) into various positions, adding that he would work hard to meet their expectations.

    “On behalf of my colleagues, the newly elected members of the NWC of our great party, the APC.

    “I would like to express our gratitude to Almighty God, our very sincere thanks to our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari, and Governors, in our party.

    “We accept the onerous responsibility that you have placed on our shoulders and we would work hard to ensure that we fulfilled your expectations for the greater good of our great party and of our dear country.

    “As we conclude this very successful convention of our great party, I know that our opponents in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties are now sulking, wearing long faces of sadness, bewilderment and dismay,’’ he said.

    According to Adamu, the opposition PDP had been hoping and praying to make a fortune out of APC`s misfortunes.

    They were also hoping and praying to capitalise on assumed failures of the APC to reap political benefits, he added.

    Adamu stated that for almost seven years now, the APC administrations at the Federal, State and local levels had been battling to enhance the livelihood of Nigerians through various policies, programmes and projects.

    He, therefore, said there was need for APC members and Nigerians generally to renew their faith in the party and its leadership at all levels in order to herald a new dawn.

    “We need to commit to the resolution of our crisis within the confines of our party constitution, we must resist the temptation to blow every minor personal disagreement into a major party crisis.

    “It is time for us to do things differently, when we quarrel, we open our flanks to our rival political parties that are only too eager to exploit them for their own benefit.

    “I promise you here and now that we shall heal any wounds in our party; we shall effect lasting reconciliation among our members, and we shall go into the next general elections as a strong and united party.

    “I offer my hands of friendship to all our members. I want to assure you that my colleagues and I, will run an open door policy for all members of the party,’’ Adamu said.

    He further added that no administration in the country`s history had performed as much as the APC did in building key infrastructure and in uplifting the living conditions of Nigerians.

    Projects that once existed only in the imaginations of Nigerians were now becoming a reality, he said.

    He listed some of such projects to include: the Second Niger Bridge, complete rehabilitation of the Lagos-Ibadan dual carriage way, the Lagos-Ibadan express rail and the Abuja-Kaduna express light rail, among others.

    He said although most of the projects were inherited by the President Buhari-led administration, they were being worked on, adding that the APC had fulfilled its covenant with Nigerians.

    He said that the party was set to do more, adding that all it needed from Nigerians was their continuous support and confidence in the 2023 general elections.

    “My dear compatriots, the eyes of the nation are on us; the eyes of Africa are on us; the eyes of the world are on us.

    “This is a historic moment, there is no room for false steps, our first step is to make our party the bastion of internal democracy.

    `If a party is not internally democratic, it cannot offer the country true democracy.

    Together, let us rise and march towards the sunrise in our party and in our country.

    “The time has come for us to show statesmanship to arrive at the new dawn, The time has come for us to be patriotic in words and deeds.

    “The time has come for us to affirm our being the party of the people, for the people and by the people“ the APC National Chairman said.

  • Traders smile home as APC convention ends

    Traders smile home as APC convention ends

    Traders on Sunday smiled home as they count their gains as the All Progressives Congress (APC) national convention ends in Abuja.

    Some of the traders, who fielded questions from NAN, said that they made brisk gains from selling various items ranging from food, drinks, clothes, shoes and jewelry, among others.

    Mr Isah Bala, a vendor of soft drinks, gala and water, said that he sold all his products and decided to sleep at the venue till morning to avoid being robbed on his way home.

    “I sold almost more than N20,000 only yesterday. I was rushing back and forth to bring products to sell until I got tired to go, so I decided to rest for the night,’’ he said.

    Mrs Ngozi Eze, who also sold water said that she sold all the ones she brought and had to order for more.

    Eze said that due to shortage of drinking water at the venue of the convention, a bottle of water was sold for about N250.

    “I sell water, I finished selling all the water and had to order more but there was no more cold ones, but people were buying like that.

    “People bought it for N200 or N250. On a good day when we sell for N100 most people do not even look at us especially when it is not cold.

    “I sold close to N50,000, that was the one I counted because I have lost count now, till I go home before I will count and know the exact amount I made,’’ she said.

    Malam Yunusa Sabo, a dried meat seller, popularly known as kilishi, said that God was on his side because he made brisk gain at the convention.

    “I will not disclose how much I made but all I can say is God did well for me,’’ he said

    On his part, Mr Garba Dale, a cloth vendor, said that he brought over 50 pieces of cloths and sold almost everything except three.

    “I enjoyed the convention and my sales. I wish everyday was APC convention, I will miss it dearly.’’

    Mrs Abiodun Tunde, a food vendor, described her sales as good as she kept cooking more food until she got tired.

    “I work very hard yesterday and I sold really as well. I thank God for the gains, I am so happy.

    “What I sold yesterday alone was more than what I sold in a whole week. So the convention was a blessing, at least it will help me to pay part of my debt,’’ she said.

    Miss Chinasa Emeka, another food seller, said that she sold enough food until she ran out of meat, yet people kept buying regardless of meat or fish.

    “Business was really good, people were just eating anything available; no preference, I enjoyed how everything went.

    “I am glad I came afterall because it is my first time of selling at large functions like this. I did not know that this is how people make gain.’’

    However, for Mr Barahu Idris, a shoe trader, told NAN that he only sold just a few pairs as people were more concerned with edible things than shoes.

    “I now know what to do next time. I think I will change to selling other consumable things people will quickly buy, even if I had sold water alone I would had made a lot of money,’’ said Idris.

    Mr Ufedo John, a snacks hawker, said he was happy because of the money he made from the convention.

    John said he sold all his snacks, added more and still sold all, adding “I will be coming for such big meetings from now on’’.

    The ruling party APC held its elective national convention on March 26 to March 27, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

  • Consolidate on Buhari’s achievements, Lawan, Gbajabiamila charge APC

    Consolidate on Buhari’s achievements, Lawan, Gbajabiamila charge APC

    Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have called on the party members to consolidate on the gains of President Muhammadu Buhari to win the 2023 General Elections.

    They made the call at the APC’s National Convention on Saturday in Abuja.

    President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, said that the party proved that it was united by holding the convention which some people thought would never hold.

    “They said we will never be together as a party, but today we are together and holding the convention, this is a night of unity for us.

    “Our caretaker committee did well and achieved so much, I hope that at the end of the convention everyone will be happy.

    “This is seven years plus that we have been working as APC, President Buhari has done well ,although he may not be on the ballot in 2023, but you will remain the legacy of APC,” he said.

    Lawan commended the president for his effort in building infrastructure in every state especially the Second Niger Bridge.

    The Speaker House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, also congratulated the party for holding the convention, adding that the party had come a long way through many trials and tribulations but stood the test of time.

    “Building is a long term task and we all have a role to play .

    “We at the National Assembly have kept faith in Nigeria through laws and passed some strong laws like the PIB Law ,Police reform Act, among others.

    “All things being equal, we will revisit the issues of the women inclusion bills.”

    Governor of Kebbi ,Atiku Bagudu, said that the party did well in terms of its promises of security, economy, accountability and food security.

    Bagudu said that in spite of the global crisis, the party kept Nigeria stable by supporting the 36 states which could not pay salaries and pensions to restore social contract with the governed.

    “The president directed empowerment of farmers, supported fishing communities among others for food security and development of relevant economy.

    “We were able to survive two recessions in spite of COVID-19, even during this global crisis of the Ukraine and Russian war when other countries are in food crisis we have food security.”

  • National Convention: APC wears PDP look ahead of 2023 general elections

    National Convention: APC wears PDP look ahead of 2023 general elections

    Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) seemed to have fully transmuted into a form of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), following the constitution of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) at its just-concluded national convention.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that with the emergence of Abdullahi Adamu as the National Chairman of the party; Iyiola Omisore as National Secretary, and Victor Giadom as Vice Chairman, South-South, the transmutation process of APC into PDP seemed to be fully complete on Sunday.

    It took President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration almost seven years and 7,000 delegates to finally complete this process as those that emerged as the party’s final engine room via the positions of Chairman, national secretary, amongst others, were former stalwarts of the main opposition party, PDP.

    TNG reports Adamu was a founding member of the PDP from 1999, a two-term Governor of Nasarawa under the platform of the PDP, and only defected to the ruling APC in 2014. He was also elected a Senator as a flag bearer of the PDP. He was also one time Secretary, PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT).

    Omisore on the other hand was a power broker in PDP as despite being in detention in 2003, won the Osun Senatorial seat under the PDP after he dumped Action Congress (AC).

    The 64 years old engineer and Osun grassroots politician was a heavy-weight political mobiliser for the PDP. With the emergence of these two men in the political engine room of the APC, the PDP now has its replica in the ruling APC as it is.

    Both men emerged via consensus with the full endorsement of all APC governors and 7,000 delegates across Nigeria. This is a confirmation of the fact that the CPC and ACN accord has been finally shredded as APC is now clothed in PDP’s apparel.

    2023 Elections: Buhari sounds note of warning

    Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has sounded a note of warning to the newly constituted NWC of the APC, enjoining the new NWC to ensure that the party primaries are not influenced by “highest bidders”.

    The president gave the warning at the 2022 APC National Convention in Abuja, while urging party leaders to always promote internal democracy and equal opportunities for all members of the party.

    Buhari called on all politicians and the electorate to abide by the new Electoral Act “to promote the process of election, enhance transparency, fill in existing gaps and add value to Nigeria’s democracy for our democracy to thrive.”

    The president, who adduced reasons for his recent intervention in the affairs of the party, said that it was not intended to muzzle dissenting voices.

    “Recently, l had cause to intervene in the leadership crisis which was about to cause confusion in the party. Such internal disputes are common in young democracies such as ours, but we must avoid overheating the polity and not allow our differences to tear and frustrate the party.

    “Like I said earlier, it does not do anybody or the party any good, when we, as leaders, go down so low and resort to backstabbing and name-calling in the media. We should learn how to resolve our differences without jeopardizing our personal relationships and the fate of the Party.

    ”I want to thank the Progressives Governors’ Forum for heeding to my advice and suggestions in settling the leadership dispute,” he said.

    He commended the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee for steering the ship of the party this far.

    This, he said, included reconciling aggrieved party members, purchasing a new party secretariat and launching an aggressive membership drive that saw three governors defecting into the APC, among others.

    “I want to congratulate us all for being part of this history making event and to specially appreciate the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) which has been on a rescue mission under the leadership of Mai Mala Buni, the Yobe State Governor.”

    He lauded the CECPC for successfully piloting the affairs of the Party in the last 18 months and organizing the convention to elect a new National Working Committee that would take over from the Caretaker Committee.

    “I am glad the party under the Caretaker Committee has bounced back to life with the reconciliation of several key and critical stakeholders and groups who had hitherto left the party or were on the verge of leaving the party.

    ”The reconciliation process gave the aggrieved stakeholders a true sense of belonging and assurance. It is gratifying that the party recorded massive and unprecedented defections under the Caretaker Committee administration.

    ”APC received three sitting Governors, a Deputy Governor, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives and State Assemblies, and other key officials from opposition parties who defected along with millions of their supporters.

    “I am impressed to learn that the membership registration and revalidation exercise undertaken by the Caretaker Committee, has recorded over 41 million members.

    ”This has proved that we are indeed Nigeria’s leading and largest political party. It also exhibits our numerical strength and the potential to win elections at all given times fairly and squarely,” he added.

    Buhari called on members of the APC to remain united and strong and also support the incoming leadership of the party.

    “This convention is coming at a crucial time when we prepare for another round of a general election. 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. l passionately appeal to you all to support the incoming National Working Committee (NWC) to promote unity and avoid sentiments that are capable of causing disaffection and disunity.

    ”For those aspiring for party and public offices, your failure to realize such aspirations for Party offices or to fly the Party’s flag, should not be a basis for a campaign of calumny against the party.

    ”We should have the spirit of sportsmanship and always support the party to succeed,” Buhari said.

  • APC National Convention: Buni drums support for party’s new leadership

    APC National Convention: Buni drums support for party’s new leadership

    Gov. Mai Mala Buni, Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), has called on the party’s members across the country to support its new leadership.

    He made the call while giving his valedictory speech at the ongoing APC National Convention, saying that such support was critical to keep the party united and in its winning ways in 2023 and beyond.

    Buni, who is also the Governor of Yobe, expressed delight at the presence of party members at the National Convention, which he described as epoch-making.

    “As you are aware, the CECPC which l am opportune to chair, is a child of circumstance constituted by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party to restructure and reposition it.

    “To the glory of God, and with your generous support, we collectively rescued the party and enriched its fortunes,” Buni said.

    No fewer than 7, 584 delegates from across the country will elect new National Working Committee (NWC) and non NWC members to manage its affairs in the next four years.

    “As we elect the new national officials, l call on every member of the party to please support and co-operate with the leaders from ward to the national levels.

    “We should please bury our differences and collectively work for the interest and success of our party; this is very necessary for us to approach the 2023 general election with a united front.

    “We can only achieve much in unity, just like the broom which is our party symbol.

    “Our support to the new leadership would no doubt promote internal democracy and the emergence of popular, credible, and generally acceptable candidates to fly the party’s flag in the 2023 elections,” Buni stressed.

    He expressed gratitude and appreciation to President Buhari, Osibanjo, the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) and the party’s leadership for the support he enjoyed as chairman of the APC CECPC.

    He particularly appreciated President Buhari for what he called his uncommon commitment and leadership style that guided the committee to record some modest achievements for the party.

    Buni added that the team work, co-operation, and unity exhibited by his colleagues in the CECPC in the course of the assignment had been exceptional.

    This, he said, had truly made the committee extra-ordinary, adding that they were indeed a family.

    Buni lauded the party’s other stakeholders, delegates, staff of the party’s national secretariat, the youth, women’s groups, and supporters nationwide for their co-operation.

    “I am now more confident than ever, that with a population of over 41 million registered members and still counting.

    “The APC has the potential and capacity to remain Nigeria’s ruling party and indeed, Africa’s largest political party,” he said.

    Also speaking at the event, Gov. Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi and Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), said there was no party like the APC.

    He added that though the party had some challenges, they were not insurmountable.

  • APC membership rises from 11m to 41m – Buni

    APC membership rises from 11m to 41m – Buni

    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.

  • National Convention: APC releases unity list [LIST ATTACHED]

    National Convention: APC releases unity list [LIST ATTACHED]

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has released its unity list consisting of aspirants chosen by top stakeholders of the party to make up its National Working Committee (NWC).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the unity list of the APC has Senator Abdullahi Adamu, a former Governor of Nasarawa State, as the National Chairman of the ruling party.

    Senator Adamu will lead the APC NWC to pilot the activities of the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    See attached for the unity list of the APC