Politics

APC presidential aspirants’ meeting postponed indefinitely

A meeting earlier scheduled for all the aspirants who participated in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries in Abuja has been postponed indefinitely.

According to the convener who was also an aspirant, Felix Nicolas, a new date for the meeting would be announced later.

It was, however, gathered that the meeting was cancelled due to non-cooperation from the presidential aspirants.

Felix, in a statement on Monday, said those who contested against the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, at the presidential primaries would converge in Abuja at about 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

However, a few hours to the meeting, Felix announced that it has been postponed but no reason was given for the cancellation.

“Please be informed that the strategic meeting of 2023 presidential aspirants of the All Progressives Congress, scheduled to hold on Wednesday the 31st of August has been postponed.

“A new date for the meeting will be communicated soon. Apologies for any inconvenience(s) that this might cause,” he stated.

The aborted meeting sought to reconcile aggrieved members, challenges bedevilling the country, inclusive politics, and adoption of winning campaign strategies to coast home to victory ahead of the 2023 general election.

The expected attendees include Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; former Science and Technology Minister, Ogbonnaya Onu; former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba; and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio.

Five serving governors, Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Ben Ayade (Cross River), and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) were also expected at the meeting.

Others wereSenate President, Ahmad Lawan; former Ogun State Governor and serving senator, Ibikunle Amosun; a serving senator, Ajayi Boroffice; former Zamfara State Governor, Ahmad Sani; former Imo State Governor and serving senator, Rochas Okorocha; a former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole; fiery cleric, Tunde Bakare; Pastor and Businessman, Dr Nicolas Felix; former Information Minister, Ikeobasi Mokelu; Businessman, Tein Jack-Rich; and the only female among them, Uju Ken-Ohanenye.

However, an aspirant, who craved anonymity, said the move by Felix, the youngest APC aspirant, to reunite all the aspirants, especially the aggrieved ones, was an effort in futility.

He further disclosed that the body language of the presidential aspirants and some party members who participated in the presidential primary was clear.

“We can’t be seen converging for anything that has to do with Asiwaju (Bola Tinubu, APC presidential candidate) at this critical moment. Not even when the presidential candidate himself is seeing the majority of us as not being instrumental to his winning the 2023 election.

“I must say Felix has tried his best. But it is not his duty to call for such a conciliatory meeting. That initiative was dead on arrival. Both the party and Asiwaju himself have a lot of work to do before the 2023 election,” the aspirant said.

The Star