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Tag: National Convention

  • Court vacates order stopping APC National Convention

    Court vacates order stopping APC National Convention

    An FCT High Court in Kubwa on Friday vacated an interlocutory injunction earlier granted stopping the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention from holding.

    Malam Salisu Umoru, dragged APC, the Chairman Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Gov. Mai Mala Buni and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the court to challenge the planned convention.

    Justice Bello Kawu vacated the interlocutory order made on Nov. 18, following the defence counsel, Shuaibu Aruwa, SAN’s application for the court to set it aside.

    Kawu vacated the order relying on the recent Supreme Court decision which held that a party member does not have the right to take the party to court.

    He however adjourned the case until March 30 for hearing of the substantive suit.

    Aruwa had moved a motion seeking the setting aside of the interlocutory order and striking out the suit on want of jurisdiction.

    He said the application was supported by a five paragraph affidavit and a written address and adopted all the processes, praying the court to grant them in the interest of justice.

    The defence counsel added that the claimant counsel, Mike Enaharo-Ebah did not file any process to counter his application.

    In response, Enaharo-Ebah said Aruwa served him on March 11 and his seven days had not relapsed adding that his right to respond in line with the rules of the court had been shut out.

    He however asked the court to reconsider an application to adjourn in other for him to file counter affidavits.

    Aruwa in response said he served the claimant since March 9 through the former claimant counsel, F.O. Ekpa adding that the seven days elapsed on March 16.

    Earlier, Enaharo-Ebah moved a motion dated March 10 pursuant to order 43 rule 1 of the rules of the court, seeking an order of the court setting aside the hearing notices of parties of this suit seeking abridgement of time of March 15 against March 30 for hearing.

    ”The second prayer is an order of the court setting aside every step taken by the APC and Buni for the fixing of March 26 for its convention.

    ”Third is setting aside every committee inaugurated by the APC and the report of such committees including any notice of purported notice of INEC.

    “The application is supported by a five-paragraph affidavit and one exhibit attached, which is the order of the court made on Nov. 18, 2021 restraining APC from proceeding with its convention pending the determination of the suit, ” he said.

    Enaharo-Ebah said he filed a written address dated March 10 and rely on it as his argument, urging the court to grant his application.

    In response Aruwa said he filed a five-paragraph counter affidavit and relied on all the paragraphs attached is a letter written by APC and Buni, communicating the former claimant counsel and himself.

    He said they agreed that their application would be taken either on March 14 or March 15 and was endorsed by the former counsel.

    ”The application for review of date is not strange it was agreed between me and the former counsel, ” Aruwa said.

    The counsel to INEC, Alhassan Umar, SAN, aligned himself to Aruwa’s submission and referred the court to order 43 rule 8 of the rules of the court adding that the change of date was based on terms agreed by parties.

    The convention is scheduled to hold on March 26, 2022.

  • Buni returns to Nigeria after medical trip abroad, takes over leadership of APC

    Buni returns to Nigeria after medical trip abroad, takes over leadership of APC

    Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni has returned to Nigeria from his medical trip abroad and taken over the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).

    Upon return to the country, Buni said he duly transmitted power to the Governor of Niger State Governor, Muhammed Sani Bello and that all actions and measures taken by the committee under his leadership as acting chairman of the party remain valid and binding.

    This is contained in a release by his Director General, Press and Media Affairs, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed in Damaturu on Thursday. Mohammed said that Buni appealed to all party members to remain calm and law-abiding.

    “Put the recent events in the party behind you and work towards a successful Convention. The success of the party remain paramount and needs the support of every member. As we head towards the National Convention, the party needs the support of every stakeholder and member to succeed.

    “As democrats and committed party members, we should avoid issues that are capable of diverting our attention from the path of success,” Buni was quoted to have said.

    According to the press release, Buni said it was a waste of time to hold grudges against individuals involved in the recent happenings in the party, saying grudges were detrimental to the success of a party.

    He expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for the amicable resolution of the recent misunderstanding in the party.

    “We appreciate the good leadership role played by Mr President in resolving the recent events to keep a united and strong APC,” he said.

    Buni said that all actions taken by the APC CECPC under Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger, who was the acting chairman, remained valid and binding.

    “I duly transmitted power to His Excellency the Niger State Governor, Muhammed Sani Bello. Therefore, all actions and measures taken by the committee under his leadership as acting chairman, remain valid and binding,” Buni said.

    Convention: Buni endorses actions taken by Bello as acting chairman

    Meanwhile, Buni has endorsed actions taken by Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger as acting chairman of the APC CECPC.

    Buni confirmed validating those actions while reacting to media reports that he had suspended some of them.

    “This is to bring to the notice of all stakeholders and members of the party that the purported suspension of some activities initiated and executed by the CECPC under the acting chairman and Niger Governor, Muhammed Bello is not true.

    “Therefore, all activities that were done in my absence remain valid and binding. All party stakeholders and members are hereby advised to disregard the previous statement discarding the activities of the committee under the leadership of the acting chairman,’’ Buni said.

    He said he duly transferred leadership of the committee to the Niger governor before travelling outside the country for medical attention.

    “Therefore, all actions and measures taken by the committee under his leadership as Acting Chairman remain effective,’’ Buni who is also the Governor of Yobe said.

    He called for the support and understanding of the party’s members to move it forward to a successful National Convention slated for March 26.

    New national executives are expected to be elected at the party’s national convention to manage its affairs currently being managed by the CECPC.

  • Court fixes date to hear suit seeking to stop APC National Convention

    Court fixes date to hear suit seeking to stop APC National Convention

    An FCT High Court in Kubwa has fixed Friday to hear a suit seeking to stop the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention.

    The plaintiff in the matter, Salisu Umoru, dragged APC, the Chairman Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and Gov. Mai Mala Buni and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the court to challenge the planned convention.

    Justice Bello Kawu fixed the date for hearing following the plaintiff’s counsel, Mike Enaharo-Ebah’s application for an adjournment.

    Enaharo-Ebah told the court that he needs time to go through some applications due to the clash of representation of defence counsel on March 15.

    He said there were two counsel for APC and Buni and the court adjourned the matter untill Thursday for report of proper representation which has been resolved.

    ” We need to address his processes since issues of representation has been resolved and ask for a short adjournment to enable us file counters and written addresses with some of the pending bail applications, ” Enaharo-Ebah said.

    In response the defence counsel, Shuaibu Aruwa SAN, said he filed a notice of change of counsel duly served to the plaintiff on March 10 with his address endorsed on it.

    Aruwa, however, urged the court to discountenace the claimant’s application for adjournment and hear the pending application.

    Earlier, the defence counsel told the court that he had written two separate letters to the court on representing the defendants on March 16.

    Aruwa said one of the letters was signed on behalf of the APC by Head of Legal Services, Dare Oketabi and the second signed by the second defendant, Buni confirming that Aruwa’s law firm was briefed to represent the defendants in the suit.

    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Umoru in his reliefs sought an order directing the APC and its Chairman caretaker/Extraordinary convention Planning Committee, Buni to stop its planned National Convention.

    He also sought an order directing Buni to begin reconciliation process to resolve all the disputes that emanated from the local government congresses before the conduct of APC National Convention.

    The court had on Nov. 18, granted an interim injunction restraining the APC from proceeding with its planned Convention.

  • Buhari wades into APC leadership tussle, as party cancels NEC meeting

    Buhari wades into APC leadership tussle, as party cancels NEC meeting

    Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni

    President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the Chairman of Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Committee Mai Mala Buni, be allowed to conduct the party’s planned national convention to avert unnecessary controversies and distractions that may result in litigations.

    Buhari who gave the directive on Wednesday in a letter addressed to the Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, noted that the party had demonstrated inability to effect leadership change in a manner that is inclusive, legal and respectful of the time limit set.

    He warned on all members of the Governors’ Forum and their followers to desist from any behaviour or utterance that will likely lead to disunity in the ranks of the party, and ultimately jeopardise the transition to the convention.

    “As you are, no doubt aware, the All Progressives Congress, APC, is currently facing a litany of controversies and some level of uncertainties that may ultimately question its status and affect the status and feasibility of its proposed National Convention.

    “There is, therefore, an urgent need for the party to as much as possible, avoid all controversies, litigations and all other necessary distractions and quickly get its acts together.

    “The Mai Mala Buni-led CECC should, accordingly, be allowed to proceed with all necessary preparations to hold the convention as planned- unfailingly, on 26th March 2022,” the letter read in part.

    It would be recalled that about a week ago, the Governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai, insisted that the President had directed that Buni should be fired and stressed that he could never return as chairman of the party.

    He said: “Buni is gone, the Secretary is gone. Gov. Bello is in charge and he has the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari and 19 governors. Buni can only return as Governor of Yobe but never as chairman of our Party”.

    Meanwhile, Secretary of the party’s Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning, John Akpanudoedehe, has disclosed that the APC had cancelled the emergency national executive committee (NEC) meeting earlier scheduled for Thursday by the Niger State Governor Sani Bello, whom Buni had handed over the headship of the CECPC to while away on a medical vacation in Dubai.

    “As directed by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning (CECPC) and Governor of Yobe State, H.E. Mai Mala Buni, a purported emergency meeting of the Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) slated for Thursday, March 26, 2022, is hereby cancelled,” Akpanudoedehe said.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had also refused to acknowledge Bello as the chairman of the party, insisting that letters from the APC to the commission must be signed by Buni and Akpanudoedehe.

  • Convention: Desist from name-calling, backstabbing, Buhari warns APC leaders

    Convention: Desist from name-calling, backstabbing, Buhari warns APC leaders

    President Muhammadu Buhari has warned leaders and members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to desist from name-calling and backstabbing ahead of the oncoming March 26 national Convention of the party.

    The president gave the warning in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, on Saturday in Abuja.

    Buhari, however, advised them to remain steadfast and be united ”if the party is to continue in the path of victory and its dominance at all levels throughout the country.”

    He asked members to look at the once-powerful main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), now enfeebled and adrift, and learn lessons in disunity, mismanagement and corruption.

    ”They failed in 16 years in power and failed as opposition.

    ”Yes, we are entitled to our own share of dissent and intra-party discord. These are common in all parties, left and right all over the world.

    ”But parties splintered by competing egos destine themselves to the worst possible fate.

    ”As the country prepares for the long run up to the 2023 presidential election, we all expect a robust debate on the issues that matter and what is going on in the APC should be a reflection of this, not the infighting we are seeing.

    ”There must be no more distractions ahead of the convention to choose new leaders,” the president further warned.

    He recalled that the APC started out with a confidence of victory and the ”party today enjoys that confidence in nearly two-thirds of our 36 states.

    ”Yet, this is a party that has been in existence barely for eight years, becoming the dominant party because it has thrown open its doors to defectors from other parties, big and small.

    ”This alone, in addition to the fact we didn’t start on the note of arrogance of power, nor see government as a vehicle for self-aggrandizement, to be held at all costs, the APC is a vehicle to bring development to all without discrimination – political, ethnic or regional – to our dear country made this success possible.”

    According to the president, the party is proud of the fact that in its short period of existence, it has won two general elections decisively and despite losing a few states in 2019.

    He also noted that the party steadfastly expanded its pan-Nigerian outlook with significant defections of the opposition Governors and parliamentarians into its fold.

    ”Given all that is at a stake, we can expect contests into offices as we are now faced with to be heated although candidates and their promoters for party offices are not so much debating policy differences but differences of management, personality, character, and suitability for the most important leadership roles in our country and therefore the continent.”

    The president frowned at recent developments in the party, leading to what he described as negative publicity from both social and traditional media outfits in the country.

    ”It is equally clear that over the last week or so, the internal management affairs of the APC have been afforded generous media coverage – over and above its importance to the voters of Nigeria.

    ”It is important to ask what benefits the poor are getting during the period of intense negative coverage.

    ”When precisely the party’s convention is held and who is the party’s chairman is hardly a matter for the average voter: vastly more important is who convention delegates will elect as the party’s flagbearer in the coming weeks to take forward the party’s platform to the people in the general election in February next year.

    ”It is therefore important for the media to put such matters into perspective. No one is debating policy differences here. That is for the general election.

    ”None of the declared aspirants and any of those that may step forward will change because of who may be in the party in the chairman’s seat. It is essentially the same party.

    ”Of course the media are welcome to comment on the content of the character of the potential APC candidates; discuss their suitability for leadership; scrutinize their offer to the membership.

    ”But to focus on the routine internal divisions and magnify them into what they have become today is a waste of everyone’s time, amounting to no more than a discussion over seating arrangements.

    ”This is not what Nigerians talk of in their communities. They have an inclination only for things that matter, he maintained.

  • I never supported efforts to undermine APC March 26 convention date – Orji Kalu

    I never supported efforts to undermine APC March 26 convention date – Orji Kalu

    The Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Orji Kalu, has absolved himself from supporting efforts to undermine the March 26 national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Kalu said this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.

    He said, “I have read the unfortunate accusations levelled against me by a former Director-General of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), Dr Salihu Lukman .

    “In a statement credited to Lukman, he alleged that some party leaders are working with the Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Mai Mala Buni to undermine the March 26 national convention of the party.

    “He noted that there are other party leaders, including Sen. Uzor Kalu who have actively supported Mai Mala to undermine the decision to organise the national convention of the party.”

    “It is on this note that I consider it necessary to correct the wrong impressions Lukman must be making efforts to create.

    “There has been no time I participated in any collaboration or collusion to ensure that attempts to organise the APC national convention are blocked,’’ he said.

    Kalu recalled that on Dec.15, 2021, he appealed to the party and CECPC members to consider postponing the national convention earlier slated for February.

    The former governor of Abia warned that holding the convention in February without sorting out minor disagreements could lead to implosion.

    “I was worried that the creation of factions which denied the party victory in so many states in the past elections may repeat itself.

    “I therefore called for a peaceful resolution of the crisis before holding the convention.

    “No peaceful and tactful leader, would support a terrible scenario to reoccur.

    “It is important to note that I have always stood for and supported the party and Gov. Mai Mala Buni only happened to be the chairman of the party.

    “Aside serving as the chairman of the party, Buni is my old family friend and I cannot deny him because he is facing challenges today.

    “We have been friends for the past 25 years.

    “It is imperative to state that Buni has done very well for the party. His sterling leadership quality is what helped stabilise our great party across the six geopolitical zones, with high profile defections in our favour,’’ Kalu said.

    He urged party leaders to guard their utterances to avoid creating disharmony.

    According to him, in this time of challenge and misunderstandings, I am calling on the party leaders and stakeholders to guard their utterances to avoid creating more disharmony.

    “Even in a nuclear family, disagreements and quarrels exist.

    “The APC is a very big party with several caucuses. We have the governors, National Assembly, businessmen, youths and women among other caucuses.

    “The directions and concerns of these caucuses should be taken into consideration at all times.

    “Going forward, whether it is Gov. Mai Mala Buni or Gov Abubakar Sani Bello, I would always give the party my maximum support and drive for stronger growth.

    “There is always a danger with single story and I encourage Mr President to hear the two sides of the story so that the party can win together,’’ Kalu said.

  • APC clears the air on Akpanudoedehe resignation

    APC clears the air on Akpanudoedehe resignation

    Alhaji Salisu Dambatta, Director of Publicity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, Secretary of the party’s Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) has not resigned his position as being speculated.

    Dambatta said this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja while reacting to reports in the media that Akpanudoedehe had resigned his position following the leadership change in the party.

    “We wish to note that the Secretary of the APC CECPC, Akpanudoedehe never sent a resignation letter to the party to the best of its knowledge and neither was he sacked as some social media blogs have speculated.

    “All those are utterly false, the APC is one family, the CECPC is one unit,” he said.

    Dambatta said that the party had an Acting Chairman in the person of Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger.

    According to him, Bello is racing against time to deliver a national convention and committee members that are united in supporting him in carrying out the mandate.

    “Please disregard social media stories that are not rooted in fact or even sound reasoning,” he said.

    The new national executives are expected to be elected at the APC national convention slated for March 26.

  • APC dares INEC, says national convention would hold March 26

    APC dares INEC, says national convention would hold March 26

    In defiance of a letter addressed to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the party has said it would go ahead with its scheduled National Convention.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the APC as saying it has not fallen short of the law in any way with regards to the letter it sent to the INEC to monitor its forthcoming National Convention.

    Mr Ismail Ahmed, the National Youth Leader in the APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) said this on Friday in Abuja while speaking with newsmen.

    The APC National Convention has been slated for March 26 to elect new national executives to manage the party’s affairs, which is presently being managed by its CECPC.

    The INEC in a letter, had rejected an invitation to an emergency meeting of the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) ahead of its national convention.

    INEC’s response, dated March 9 and signed by its Secretary, Rose Anthony, was titled: “Re: Invitation to the emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee”, and addressed to the National Chairman, APC CECPC.

    The commission drew the attention of the APC CECPC to the fact that the letter of invitation was not signed by Gov. Mai Mala Buni, the National Chairman APC CECPC, and its Secretary, Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, in accordance with extant laws.

    According to the commission, this is contrary to the provision of Article 1.1.3 of INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Political Party Operations (2018).

    Ahmed, however, said the APC had complied with all the rules and had appropriately notified INEC, adding that it is no longer an issue.

    He added that Prof. Tahir Maman, who oversees the party’s legal department would speak on the issue in due time.

    “APC national convention would hold on March 26. I’m not only a youth leader, I’m also a lawyer. And we have served a notice to INEC for the 26th of February earlier.

    “We served that notice on Feb. 5 and that was the required 21 days. If you are going to make any adjustment to that date all you need is a letter making an adjustment to the date.

    “You don’t need another 21 days and that letter was written about two weeks ago, when we realised that we couldn’t hold it on Feb. 26.

    “The moment, the CECPC agreed on March 26 as the date for the national convention, that letter was written to INEC. INEC has accepted that letter. So that is long gone; is not an issue,” he explained.

    He maintained that the March 26 date for the party’s national convention was not an issue, saying that the date is settled and sacrosanct.

    On the current position of Gov. Mai Mala Buni, Ahmed said he was only on medical leave and would resume soon, wondering why it was difficult for some individuals to believe that.

    He explained that since the inauguration of the CECPC on June 25, 2020, Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger had always acted whenever Buni was absent.

    “It has always been the case, that has never changed, and now we have a convention on March 26, the chairman wrote a letter to go for medical treatment and transmitted power to Bello.

    “These are two emergencies, he has a medical emergency that cannot wait for the convention. We have a convention that cannot wait for him to be healthy, so one has to leave for another.

    “Gov. Bello has been acting appropriately and there is no problem about that,” Ahmed said, wondering why people are making an issue out of the development.

    He added that Bello was acting with the full authority of the APC CECPC and the party’s stakeholders, leaders and with the full consent and knowledge of Buni.

    “For now we are doing it with the full authority and backing of the law, so there is no ambiguity in this, absolutely none.

    “Power by the chairmanship was transmitted to Gov. Bello and he is fully driving it right now, and we are moving towards convention with the speed that is needed,” Ahmed said.

    He added that if anyone had issues with decisions taken by the party on its leadership, he could go to the court.

  • National Convention: APC CECPC releases approved zoning formula [Full details]

    National Convention: APC CECPC releases approved zoning formula [Full details]

    The Caretaker/Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) has finally released the zoning arrangement for the March 26 National Convention.

    The party zoned the national chairman to the North-Central while the South West will produce the National Secretary.

    The office of the Deputy national chairman goes to South East zone.

    In a statement by Director of Publicity of the party, Saliu Na’in a Dambatta, the zoning arrangement was adopted at the March 8, 2022 regular meeting of the CECPC.

    Zoning as detailed below:
    *NORTH-CENTRAL*: Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger and Plateau States
    1. National Chairman
    2. National Vice Chairman (North Central)
    3. Deputy National Secretary
    4. Deputy National Legal Adviser
    5. Deputy National Publicity Secretary
    6. Zonal Secretary
    7. Zonal Youth Leader
    8. Zonal Organising Secretary
    9. Zonal Women Leader
    10. Zonal Special Leader (Persons with Disabilities – PWD)
    11. National Ex – Officio Member

    *SOUTH-SOUTH*: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers States
    1. National Vice Chairman (South South)
    2. National Publicity Secretary
    3. National Women Leader
    4. Deputy National Treasurer
    5. Deputy National Welfare Secretary
    6. Zonal Secretary
    7. Zonal Youth Leader
    8. Zonal Organising Secretary
    9. Zonal Women Leader
    10. Zonal Special Leader (Persons with Disabilities – PWD)
    11. National Ex – Officio Member

    *SOUTH – WEST*: Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo States
    1. National Secretary
    2. National Vice Chairman (South West)
    3. National Youth Leader
    4. National Physically Challenged Leader
    5. Deputy National Auditor
    6. Zonal Secretary
    7. Zonal Youth Leader
    8. Zonal Organising Secretary
    9. Zonal Women Leader
    10. Zonal Special Leader (Persons with Disabilities – PWD)
    11. National Ex – Officio Member

    *SOUTH-EAST*: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States
    1. Deputy National Chairman (South)
    2. National Vice Chairman (South East)
    3. National Treasurer
    4. National Welfare Secretary
    5. Deputy National Organising Secretary
    6. Zonal Secretary
    7. Zonal Youth Leader
    8. Zonal Organising Secretary
    9. Zonal Women Leader
    10. Zonal Special Leader (Persons with Disabilities – PWD)
    11. National Ex – Officio Member

    *NORTH – EAST*: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States
    1. Deputy National Chairman (North)
    2. National Auditor
    3. National Vice Chairman (North East)
    4. Deputy National Financial Secretary
    5. Deputy National Women Leader
    6. Zonal Secretary
    7. Zonal Youth Leader
    8. Zonal Organisig Secretary
    9. Zonal Women Leader
    10. Zonal Special Leader (Persons with Disabilities – PWD)
    11. National Ex – Officio Member

    *NORTH -WEST*: Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States
    1. National Vice Chairman (North West)
    2. National Legal Adviser
    3. National Organising Secretary
    4. National Financial Secretary
    5. Deputy National Youth Leader
    6. Zonal Secretary
    7. Zonal Youth Leader
    8. Zonal Organising Secretary
    9. Zonal Women Leader
    10. Zonal Special Leader (Persons with Disabilities – PWD)
    11. National Ex-Officio Member

    Zonal Representatives on the CECPC will coordinate the process in each zone.

  • APC approves Zoning Committee ahead of National Convention

    APC approves Zoning Committee ahead of National Convention

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved a zoning committee, ahead of the March 26 National Convention.

    Sen. John Akpanudodehe, the National Secretary, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Akpanudodehe said that Gov. AbdulRahaman AbdulRazak of Kwara would head the committee which has Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege as Deputy Chairman.

    He named other members to include Mrs Nkem Okeke, the Anambra Deputy Governor who would serve the Secretary, as well as Prof. Etim Nyong, Alhaji Mustapha Salihu, Sen. Teslim Folarin and Alhaji Sadeeq Sule-Iko Sami.

    Akpankudohede said the committee was expected to submit its report to the APC leadership on Monday, March 7.