APC holds state congresses amid apprehensions

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has again gone to the polls to elect executives in the state chapters with its congresses holding nationwide today.

This is sequel to the ward and local government congresses that held earlier, but was characterized by violence, and complaints leading to cancellations in some states.

There are apprehensions in some parts, owing to the violence that characterized the earlier congresses of the party in some states.

In Lagos, for instance, there is heavy security presence along the Acme Road, Ikeja secretariat of the party, even as traffic has been diverted to other roads, due to closure of the busy road as a result of the congress.

Scores of armed security officials were stationed around the secretariat, where the congress would be held, while private security guards are manning the secretariat gate and screening visitors to the party office.

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Already, there is protests at the secretariat, as no fewer than 100 protesters, from the Odi-Olowo area of the state, protested the candidature of one Mrs Adeyemi Idera for an executive position in Saturday’s congress.

In RIvers State, the state congress has been shifted due to the earlier cancelled ward and local government congresses.

A statement by the state publicity secretary, Chris Finebone stated that the Local Government and State Congresses are now scheduled for Sunday 20th and Monday 21st May respectively.

Earlier, the party had inaugurated a 5- member State Congress Committees to conduct the Congresses in different states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Saturday (today).

Three-member committees were also inaugurated on Thursday to entertain appeals that may arise from the State Congresses.

Some State Congress Chairmen are Pius Odubu (Adamawa); Gen. Danjuma Danbazzau (Taraba); Prince Austin Eweka (Kano); Sen. Domingo Obende (Niger); Sen. Jonathan Zwingina (Abia); Sen. Olugbenga Obadara (Delta); Sen. Uche Ekwunife (Lagos); Hon. Mathew Omegara (Ondo); Peter Obadan (Ogun); H.E. Abdullahi Gwarzo (Oyo) among others.

The Appeal committees have among others Chris Akoma as chairman of Ebonyi State; Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye (Rivers); Hon. Bashir Lado (Ogun); Alh. SAbubakar Maikudi (Bauchi); Amb. Jerry Ugog (Kano); Barr. Kogolo Peter (Imo).

APC National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso who inaugurated the committees on behalf of the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said the Congress must be conducted in strict conformity with the official APC Guidelines for State Congresses.

He said the State Congress Committees are expected to hold meetings with stakeholders in the respective states on Friday before Saturday’s nationwide Congresses to elect State executive committee which includes the traditional 17-member State Working Committees.

 

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