Kano, Sokoto absent as APC inaugurates State Chairmen amidst tight security

 

.As party writes INEC on Febuary 26 national convention

.Slates Osun guber primary for Feb. 19

Obiora Ifoh, Abuja

After so much tension and drama that enveloped the atmosphere at the national secretariat of All Progressives Congress, APC, the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, CECPC, eventually inaugurated chairmen of 34 States and Federal Capital Territory, Thursday, albeit without the usual ceremony that follows such event.

As early as 6:45am, the entire stretch of Blantyre street housing the Buhari house national Secretariat of APC was already cordoned off by a detachment of security operatives ostensibly to ward off any unforeseen crises that may erupt as a result of the inauguration.

The security officials initially barred journalists and staffers of APC from gaining entrance into the secretariat before eventually screening and accrediting them for entry.

As expected, the security operatives had their hands full in controlling  the unruly crowd that later build up making the whole street unpassable for motorists and passersby alike.

The arrival of CECPC Chairman, Mai Mala Buni, who was bid to perform the inauguration, immediately agitated the crowd who thronged the governor’s convoy forcing him to come down from his official car and had to trek to his office.

The tension escalated when the unruly crowd forced their way to  gain entrance into the venue of the inauguration while security aides had to smuggle Buni into the building.

Surprisingly, when it was time for the inauguration, the CECPC Chairman Buni, failed to show up at the inauguration room where about 35 Chairmen were seated, but was represented  by the CECPC secretary, Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, who only made a sentence of statement and then followed it up with national anthem, while certificates were later handed to them.

Akpanudoedehe simply said, “I’ve been asked to come and issue certificates of return to you as duly elected State Chairmen of our party.”

In all, the whole inauguration exercise took only two minutes without oath of office being administered and no inauguration pronouncement made.

Also, Sokoto and Kano States were not represented as our correspondent gathered that it was as a result of crisis arising from the State Congress held last year.

While the inauguration was going on, scores of protesters continued with their demonstrations outside the secretariat with placards bearing varying inscriptions indicating their discontent with the process leading to the State congresses and crises that followed.

In his reaction, the Chairman of State Chairmen who responded on behalf of his colleagues, Hon. Bukar Dalori, pledge their unalloyed loyalty to the CECPC and the party.

Dalori said, “Let us also use this opportunity to assure members in our respective states that we shall work with every party members to ensure APC protects Nigeria from those who destroyed it in the past.”

 

The state Chairmen inaugurated today include: Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu (Abia), Alh Ibrahim Bilal (Adamawa), Mr Augustine Enefiok Ekanem (Akwa Ibom), Hon Basil Ejike (Anambra), Alh Babayo Aliyu Misau (Bauchi), Dr. Dennis Otiotio (Bayelsa), Mr Augustine Agada (Benue), Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori (Borno), and Mr. Alphonsus Orgar Eba Esq. (Cross River).

 

 

Others are Elder Omeni Sabotie (Delta), Hon. Stanley Okoro Emegha (Ebonyi), retired Col David Imuse (Edo), Barr. Omotosho Paul Ayodele (Ekiti), Chief Ogochukwu Agballah (Enugu), Mr Nitte K Amangal (Gombe), Dr Macdonald Ebere (Imo), Hon. Aminu Sani Gumel (Jigawa), Air Cdre Emmanuel Jekada (Rtd) (Kaduna), Alh. Muhammed Sani (Katsina), Alh. Abubakar Muhammed Kana (Kebbi) and Hon. Abdullahi Bello (Kogi).

 

 

Others include Prince Sunday Adeniran Fagbemi (Kwara), Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi (Lagos), Mr John D Mamman (Nasarawa), Hon. Haliru Zakari Jikantoro (Niger), Chief Yemi Sanusi (Ogun), Engr Ade Adetimehin (Ondo), Prince Adegboyega Famodun (Osun), Hon Isaac Omodewu (Oyo), Hon Rufus Bature (Plateau), Chief Emeka Bekee (Rivers). Hon Ibrahim Tukur El-Sudi (Taraba), Alh Muhammed A. Gadaka (Yobe), Alh. Tukur Umar Danfulani (Zamfara) and Alh. Abdulmalik Usman (FCT).

 

 

Meanwhile, Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) has formally notifyied the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of its intention to hold its national convention on 26 of February.

 

There were speculations in a section of the media that the national leadership was scheming to shift the date.

But in a letter by Governor Mai Mala Buni and the secretary John James Akpanudoedehe, addressed to the Chairman of electoral commission, a copy seen by our Correspondent, dated 2nd February, 2022, the INEC is informed of the party’s national convention slated for February 26.

The letter read in part: “Follow up to our letter referenced APC/NHDQ/INEC/19/021/40 dated 11% July, 2021 on the NOTICE FOR THE CONDUCT OF NATIONAL CONVENTION.

“This is to inform the Commission that our great Party has scheduled to hold its National Convention on Saturday, 26% February, 2022.

“This serves as a formal notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 85 of the Electoral Act (2010) as amended.

“Kindly arrange for your officials to monitor the exercise accordingly.

“While hoping to receive your cooperation, please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.”

 

 

Also, The All Progressives Congress (APC) says it plans to conduct the primary election for the July 16 Osun governorship election on Feb. 19.

 

Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, National Secretary, APC Caretaker Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

 

“In accordance with the provisions of the amended Electoral Act 2010 and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) guidelines.

 

“The APC has released a revised timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the 2022 Governorship Primary Election in Osun,” he said.

 

Akpanudoedehe said the last day for submission of completed Expression of Interest and Nomination forms and accompanying documents at the party’s national secretariat would be on Wednesday, Feb. 9.

 

 

 

He added that screening of aspirants would hold on Thursday, Feb. 10, while publication of claims and objections would take place on Saturday, Feb. 12 and screening Appeal would take place on Thursday, Feb. 15.

 

He further added that Election Appeal would hold on Tuesday 22, Feb. 22.

 

 

The APC began the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination forms to aspirants on Thursday Nov. 18, 2021.

 

The forms were sold at N22.5million, with the nomination form sold at N20 million, while the expression of interest form was sold at N2.5million.

 

Female and physically challenged aspirants were however, to pay 50 per cent of the prescribed fees.