Amidst vociferous protests originating from the party’s chapters in Kogi, Abia, and Cross River states, the National Working Committee, NWC, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, led by its chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, has inducted six fresh members into its ranks.
Ganduje who was speaking after the inauguration on Friday in Abuja, highlighted the journey that led to the event. He recalled the party’s decision to entrust the responsibility of conducting national elections to the NWC during a previous National Executive Committee NEC, meeting.
According to him, consultations with stakeholders both within and outside the party played a pivotal role in shaping the party’s strategy. Individuals of significant influence were engaged in discussions to bolster and expand the party’s reach.
Meanwhile,the attempt to administer the oath of office to these officials faced an initial setback on Thursday night, as an assemblage of notable figures, including Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and key stakeholders from Abia and Cross River, effectively impeded the proceedings.
Ganduje acknowledged the pronounced concern raised by Governor Bello, assuring that Bello’s consideration for alternative appointments was imminent.
Ganduje also expressed the party’s intent to accommodate those individuals who did not secure positions in Abia and Cross River states, thus addressing concerns and ensuring amicable resolution of grievances.
He said; “There is no doubt that during the last meeting of the National Executive Committee NEC of our party, the NWC was mandated to undertake some tasks on behalf of NEC.
“We have succeeded. We consulted with stakeholders, governors and others. We know there are some aggrieved people and they are very important. We will discuss with them and I will speak later on that.
“We have taken a decision that every Wednesday, we will conduct our weekly NWC meeting. It is very important. Also, we have already made a resolution that our party as an institution will be active throughout the year and not just during election periods. Our party will have operational and functional offices right from the wards, LGs, States, Zonal and national offices as you can see. We believe we will be able to abide by all these.
“Very soon we will launch the National Campaign Councils for our three states – Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi- going into elections this year. Instead of inaugurating the councils here in Abuja, we have decided to do so in the various state capitals so that we can connect with the various stakeholders.
“All of you are competent. We have seen your credentials and you have been nominated and elected through due process by the various stakeholders and therefore we congratulate you.
“As earlier mentioned, there is no doubt that there are some people who are also competent but you can only fill a person.
“From Kogi state, we have Ismail Yahaya. We have taken note of him and he will be engaged in one way or another. We have Ikani Shuaibu Okolo from Kogi state. He too will be engaged appropriately in our government. Mrs Obinna from Abia, she will be accommodated. Hon. Dr Stella Ekpo from Cross River. I think she is a medical doctor. She and two others from Cross River state, according to the outcome of our dialogue, will be accommodated in our government.
“With these, I think we have achieved complete agreement and dialogue. We have achieved dialogue and we have deepened dialogue within our party and this is our culture. We are not dictators but that does not mean that everyone must necessarily agree with you”, he added.
The newly inducted members include Ali Bukar Dalori (Borno State), assuming the position of Deputy National Chairman, North; Garba Datti Muhammad (Kaduna State), who now holds the mantle of National Vice Chairman, North West; Prof. Abdul Karim Abubakar Kana (Nasarawa State), stepping into the role of National Legal Adviser; Donatus Nwankpa (Abia State), shouldering the responsibilities of National Welfare Secretary; Mary Alile Idele, PhD (Edo State), taking charge as National Woman Leader; and Duro Meseko (Kogi State), who becomes the Deputy National Publicity Secretary.
However, it is noteworthy that Ikani Shuaibu Okolo, who was originally slated for the position of North Central Zonal Organizing Secretary, saw his nomination set aside. This adjustment was made in a bid to mollify Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, whose nominee for the role of Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ismail Yahaya, was subsequently withdrawn.
The developments within the APC’s NWC underscore the intricate dynamics at play as the party balances factional interests and strives to maintain equilibrium within its organizational hierarchy.
