The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has finally put behind several postponements and uncertainties that had initially dogged the party’s national convention as 7,584 delegates file out to elect new national leaders to occupy various elective positions of the party, Saturday.
The elective offices in the party became vacant after the sacking of a former Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as the party’s national chairman about two years ago.
The ruling party’s national convention taking place at the Eagles Square, Abuja is expected to start at about 10am on Saturday.
A major talking point on the convention is the adoption of consensus candidates for elective positions especially the chairmanship post.
Hours to the national convention it is still unclear if the APC has been able to find a common ground on consensus as aspirants vying for the national chairman have refused to step down, despite the much touted unity list.
This was in contrary to the appeal by various stakeholders including President Muhammadu Buhari to adopt a consensus candidate.
It was gathered that the aspirants vying for the chairmanship post have refused to step down on the grounds that the party failed to put a well-structured guideline to the achieve concensus.
One of the aspirants, Saliu Mustapha, in a statement issued on Friday by the Director-General, Saliu Mustapha Campaign Organisation, Bala Usman, said he was still in the race, adding that consensus should be all-inclusive.
The statement read in part, “Our campaign organisation has received several calls from multitudes of party stakeholders, friends and associates regarding the upcoming convention of our party and the decision of Saliu Mustapha as an aspirant, especially in relation to the unravelling issue of a possible consensus arrangement.
“Indeed, we recognise consensus as one of APC’s acceptable leadership selection methods, which is completely legal and constitutional. However, we are convinced that for consensus to abide, it must be all-inclusive and devoid of any vestige of imposition.
“This is why Mallam Saliu Mustapha, together with all the other aspirants, would continue to engage to review the options before them and agree on a common and mutually beneficial decision. Until this is done, nothing has been decided yet.”
However, speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Chairman of the National Convention Media and Publicity Sub-committee, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State said the party was working to achieve concensus.
According to Sule, former Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Adamu had been adopted as the consensus candidate for the office of the national chairman.
The governor added that aspirants have held several meetings, adding that he believes they will agree with the decision of the party.
In his words, “Yes, he(Adamu) is our consensus candidate. The President has spoken. He sat down with other aspirants and leaders of the party. The aspirants have been meeting and I know they will out of respect for the President agree. The President has disclosed his decision to them all.”
Meanwhile, a list of consensus candidates from the South-South has emerged.
Recall that APC had zoned its National Vice Chairman (South South); National Publicity Secretary; National Women Leader; Deputy National Treasurer; Deputy National Welfare Secretary to South-South which comprises Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers States.
On the list of nominees as consensus candidates signed by Secretary of the CECPC, Senator John Akpanudoudehe among others, all the six states in the region were allocated at least an office.
Top on the list of the beneficiaries is the former deputy National Secretary of the party, Victor Giadom, who is returning to the party as National Vice Chairman (South-South).
Other adopted candidates are Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu for the position of the National Women Leader, and Felix Morka for the position of the National Publicity Secretary.
Also, the Southwest geo-political zone of APC has shared the position allocated to it.
The region has nominated Mr. Isaac Kekemeke (Ondo State) as its candidate for National Vice Chairman (Southwest) and Senator Iyiola Omisore (Osun) as National Secretary.
Kekemeke is a former Secretary to the Ondo State government and one-time Attorney-General of the state. Omisore was a two-time senator.
The concensus list was announced by Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, who is the coordinator of the Southwest Governors Forum.
Though the decision has been made, it is believed that some members of the party are not in support of the list and are calling for the position of the national secretary to be micro-zoned to Oyo state.
Dapo Lam-Adesina, a former member of the house of representatives, says the Oyo state chapter of APC deserves the highest position zoned to the south-west by the ruling party.
Adesina had in a statement said, “With due respect to our leaders in the south-west, I want to implore them to allow justice and fairness to prevail in the selection of those who will fill national leadership positions of our party during next Saturday’s convention.
“When Ekiti didn’t have an APC governor, all the leaders unanimously zoned the party’s deputy national chairman (south) to the state. It was the highest position zoned to the south-west.
“Also, Ondo, Ekiti’s neighbour, got the national vice-chairmanship slot which should have gone to either Lagos/Ogun or Oyo/Osun zone. H.E (Chief) Segun Oni was deputy national chairman while Chief Pius Akinyelure was national vice-chairman.
“When Chief Segun Oni resigned, former governor H.E Niyi Adebayo replaced him, despite the fact that Ekiti had won the 2018 election. Chief Pius Akinyelure was replaced by his kinsman — Chief Kole Oluwajana.
“I have taken time to remind us about all this in order to let our leaders see reason why Oyo should be allowed to take the highest position zoned to the south west. We are working on winning the 2023 election in Oyo and having a top position zoned to us will put us in good stead.”
