…Commission yet to receive any communication from party
…Ex APC House of Rep members mobilize for new NWC
By Ezeocha Nzeh
With three barely three weeks to the conduct of the proposed National Convention of the ruling All {Progressives Congress, concerns have mounted over the continued delay by the party leadership in commencing the process of a successful convention on February 26
The AUTHORITY gathered that while there has been delay by the Caretaker and Extra Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) in releasing and inaugurating the various sub committees, the CECPC was yet to communicate with the country’s election umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission on the date for the convention
The Electoral Act provides that political [parties must give INEC a 21 days’ notice for its National Convention, to enable the commission send monitors who would evaluate and report back to it on the level of the party’s internal democracy during the convention
According to a timetable and schedule of activities released by the party, the process to the party’s national convention started yesterday (Monday), with the submission of the Interim Report of the National Reconciliation Committee, which will be followed by consideration and adoption of Reports of State Congresses on Tuesday (Yesterday), and the expected inauguration of the State Executives today.,
Also as contained in the timetable, Sales of Forms to all aspirants vying for National Offices will begin on February 14 in Abuja
But stakeholders have expressed more worry, with the request on Monday by the Senator Abdulahi Adamu led Reconciliation Committee for another one week to submit the final report.
Senator Adamu, who made the request on Monday, when he led his committee to submit an interim report to the CECPC noted that the committee has so far received a total of 47 petition, even as he noted that it is still expected petitions from the party’s aggrieved members
Also the CECPC it was gathered has not communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the date of the convention, barely three weeks to the proposed date.
The Electoral Act demands that political parties must give INEC a three week notice before its commission, so that the commission will send monitors o certify the level of internal democracy that prevailed at the convention
By implication, the CECPC still has up until February 7 to inform INEC of its planned national convention.
However, INEC could not confirm receipt of any communication from the APC as regards its national convention date
When The AUTHORITY contacted the commission to verify if it has received communication from the APC leadership as regards its planned national convention, National Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Publicity, Festus Okjoye said, “Honestly I cannot confirm receipt of any communication from APC. I have been out of Abuja since Sunday, but I can confirm to you in the next two hours. I will call the Director incharge and will get back to you,” Okoye stated
Meanwhile, ahead of the February 26 national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, former members of the House of Representatives in the party have re grouped to play a major role in deciding the outcome of the party’s national convention
The ex national legislators in a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja called on its member to converge on Abuja to discuss its state of affairs and ways out of its current challenges facing the ruling party.According to a statement jointly signed by the Protem Chairman of the Forum, Hon Ibrahim Zailani and the Protem Secretary, Hon Idris Yahuza, the meeting slated for Thursday would discuss critical issues affecting the party.
The group noted that the purpose of the meeting is “to discuss the state of our party, issues, challenges and the forthcoming APC National Convention- The Role of Former Members of the National Assembly and the Road to 2023”.
