Divided APC govs parley over National Convention as party speaks

To resolve the crisis tearing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) apart over the conduct of the National Convention, governors elected on the platform of the party are meeting tonight in Abuja.

The Star learnt that the APC governors will decide on the way forward for the party and resolve various issues surrounding the delay in the announcement of the date and plans for the National Convention.

The rank of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF), the governors elected on the platform of the ruling APC, has been polarized over the party’s National Convention and the control of party’s structure.

While some governors are in support of the convention holding in February, some are believed to be working to extend the tenure of the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni-led APC Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee.

A reliable source told The Star that: “APC Governors are divided over the National Convention. Some of them want the convention to hold and they are seriously looking forward to it, but there are some people who want the Buni-led committee to continue steering the ship of the party.

“Some of the governors are working toward pushing the National Convention from February to another period this year to ensure that both the convention and APC presidential primary hold the same date. But some governors are not comfortable with the arrangement and that is why the APC governors are divided over the convention issue.”

Meanwhile, the APC has denied reports that it has shifted its National Convention earlier slated for February to June.
Senator John Akpanudoedehe, National Secretary, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
Akpanudoedehe described the report as fake news.
“The general public is advised to completely disregard a fake news on the reported suspension of the planned National Convention of the APC till June, as reported by some media outlets.

“Dates for party activities such as meetings, primaries, congresses, National Conventions are communicated through well-known official channels and not through sources.
“The faceless authors and sponsors of fake news on APC activities, in this case the planned National Convention are simply bent on causing confusion and fomenting crisis through misinformation,” he said.
He further added that as a focus driven, process oriented political party, the APC CECPC under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni would not be distracted by self-serving antics of these sponsors of fake news.
He said the APC CECPC was already embarking on nationwide consultations with party stakeholders to prepare the grounds for a rancour free National Convention.
“To this end, the sub-committee on budgeting and other substructures will be set up in due course,” the Akpankudohede said.
He noted and appreciated the continued support of well-meaning members and leaders of the party as its Caretaker Committee undertook the immediate task of addressing contestations within its fold.
President Muhammadu Buhari had approved February for the conduct of the APC National Convention to elect new National Working Committee (NWC) members to manage the party’s affairs.
The party’s affairs is presently being managed by the Buni-led CECPC.

TheStar