By Ezeocha Nzeh
Aspirants to the National chairmanship position of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were yesterday cleared of several months of doubt and suspense over the date and seriousness of the party’s National Caretaker and Exra Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) to conduct the much awaited convention to usher in a new and elected National Working Committee (NWC) of the party
This came as the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) finally fixed February 26 as the date to conduct its much awaited National Convention.
The date came after several months of speculations and intrigues, which has left numerous aspirants in doubt.
The APC governors had in November 2021, announced that the Convention would hold in February without a specific date.
The tension generated by the national convention, led a crucial meeting last Sunday, by the Progressive Governors Forum, which informed that the Caretaker and Extra Ordinary Convention Planning Committee to announce a date in February to put all speculations to rest, regarding the convention
The Chairman of the PGF and governor of Kebbi State, Senator Atiku Badaru, who briefed the press after the meeting, said the CECPC has the constitutional right to fix the date for the Convention.
The February 26 date was however announced by National Secretary of the CECPC, senator John Akpan Udedehe, after the crucial meeting of the committee, Tuesday in Abuj
Speaking to journalist, Akpanudoudehe said that he was directed by the Caretaker Committee to announce to the media that the Convention of the party has been fixed for February 26.
No fewer than nine aspirants, including five former Governors, serving senators, a minister and former NWC member of defunct political parties that formed the APC merger in 2014 have indicated interest to contest the national chairmanship position of the APC
Among the leading contenders to the APC plum job are two former Governors of Nasarawa state, Abdulahi Adamu and Umaru Tanko Al Makura, both of whom are serving senators, former Governor of Bornu state, Senator Ali Modu Sherif, former Governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara state, former Governor of Benue state, George Akume, who is currently serving as Minister of Special Duties in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet.
Also in top contention list for the APC top seat is Niger East senator, Sani Musa Mohammed, former Deputy National Chairman of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), Saliu Mustapha, former National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sani Shinkafi, as well as former FCT chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Sylvester Moniedafe
The aspirants have continued to tour states where they address state governors to convince them on why they deserve the votes of their delegates to vote
Also underground works and lobbying have intensified among the aspirants as speculations of some of them securing the endorsements, from the presidency, 2023 presidential aspirants, Governors, and even the outgoing CECPC to position themselves in a pole position for the plum job
In race for the party’s national secretary includes former National Organizing Secretary, senator Osita Izunaso, former Acting National Chairman, Victor Geidom, who are among the over five former National Working Committee (NWC) members that are seeking a return to the party’s leadership role
The CECPC, upon the announcement of the convention date said it would in due course set up sub – committees, which may include the zoning, budget and finance, as well as the publicity committees
