Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, late Saturday night emerged as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the 2022 National Convention of the party.
Adamu emerged as the consensus candidate of the party after six other aspirants stepped down.
NAN observed that prior to the commencement of the convention on Saturday, former Gov. George Akume, had earlier on Saturday revealed that six of the APC Chairmanship aspirants had withdrawn from the race.
Akume, presently the Minister of Special Duties, was a frontrunner in the chairmanship race before the reported endorsement of Sen. Abdullahi Adamu by President Buhari.
Akume made the revelation in a letter addressed to the APC Election Sub-Committee, National Secretariat, Abuja.
Adamu was therefore declared the winner at the convention after a voice vote in which the ‘ayes’ had it.
NAN reports that the convention was attended by President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.
Others are: President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, APC governors, former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu and other party members as well as delegates.
Member representing Bende Federal Constituency Abia state, Rep. Benjamin Kalu has admitted that there are disagreements in the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress APC, expressing optimism that an amicable resolution will be reached after the Saturday National Convention of the party.
According to Rep. Kalu, Abia is not the only chapter where there are disagreements in APC, noting that democracy is a platform where there is interplay of interest, ambition and aspiration.
Speaking with ABN TV on Saturday at the venue of the party convention in Abuja, the federal lawmaker said it takes a mature mind to see beyond these interests which he says compete against each other to look at the public interests.
“We hope to get there. Are we there yet? No. Are we getting there? Yes. I don’t know how long it will take but we are wishing that this bridge between people who are aggrieved will be built as soon as possible.
“It is important for the growth of APC in Abia State because no one faction, if there is any will be able to build the bridge. It will take two to so that.
“Most of the experienced men, former this, former that, you can’t wish them away. You can’t undermine their capacity in the political space.
“It is the harmony that people like us are wishing so that we will be able to broker peace in no distant time,” he said.
Rep. Kalu, a member of the media sub-committee of the convention said politics of 2023 in APC will not be discussed till the issues which he said are lingering for a long time are duly resolved.
President Muhammadu Buhari, Saturday night, admonished the new National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) de-emphasise money politics and always allow the most popular candidates to emerge.
The President gave the admonition late Saturday while speaking at the National Convention of the APC, held at the Eagle Square, Abuja, even as he charged the party to espouse fairness and values of internal democracy.
The President, who spoke just before the commencement of the elections into party positions, also charged those who would be contesting for party and elective positions to learn to accept outcomes of contests with grace, without allowing discontent to affect the chances of the party.
He, however, charged the party to remain united and strong and also support the incoming leadership of the party.
“However, I wish to enjoin the incoming National Working Committee to as a matter of policy, promote internal democracy and always respect the wishes of the people. We must de-emphasize money politics, and subject party primary and elections into public offices, to the highest bidder syndrome.
“Popular and acceptable aspirants who remain the people’s choice must be allowed to fly the party’s flag in the 2023 elections. We will resist the imposition of candidates. We should also promote equal opportunities and respect for the laws guiding the elections to stand us out as Nigeria’s ruling Party.
“It is our hope that the new electoral act which l recently signed into law, would promote the process of election, enhance transparency, fill in existing gaps and add value to Nigeria’s democracy. I, therefore, call on all the political parties, politicians, and indeed the electorate, to be guided by the act and all other relevant laws for our democracy to thrive.
He noted that the Convention came at a very crucial period, being just a few months away from general elections, and charged that everything be done to keep the party together so it could take full advantage of its massive size to land victory in 2023.
“This Convention is coming at a crucial time when we prepare for another round of a general election. Therefore, the need to remain strong and united for the Party to exploit the rich and abundant potentials at its disposal cannot be overemphasized. We appreciate the right to hold different opinions and aspirations, however, such differences must not be to the detriment of the Party.
“l passionately appeal to you all to support the incoming National Working Committee (NWC) to promote unity and avoid sentiments that are capable of causing disaffection and disunity. For those aspiring for party and public offices, your failure to realize such aspirations for Party offices or to fly the Party’s flag, should not be a basis for a campaign of calumny against the party. We should have the spirit of sportsmanship and always support the party to succeed.”
He commended the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee for steering the ship of the party this far including; reconciling aggrieved party members, purchasing a new party secretariat, and launching an aggressive membership drive that saw three governors defecting into the APC, among others.
“I want to congratulate us all for being part of this history-making event and to specially appreciate the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) which has been on a rescue mission under the leadership of His Excellency, Mai Mala Buni, the Yobe State Governor, for successfully piloting the affairs of the Party in the last 18 months and organizing this Convention to elect a new National Working Committee that will take over from the Caretaker Committee.
“I am glad the Party under the Caretaker Committee has bounced back to life with the reconciliation of several key and critical stakeholders and groups who had hitherto left the party or were on the verge of leaving the Party. The reconciliation process gave the aggrieved stakeholders a true sense of belonging and assurance.
“It is gratifying that the Party recorded massive and unprecedented defections under the Caretaker Committee administration. APC received three sitting Governors, a Deputy Governor, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives and State Assemblies, and other key officials from opposition parties who defected along with millions of their supporters.
“I am impressed to learn that the membership registration and revalidation exercise undertaken by the Caretaker Committee, has recorded over 41 million members. This has proved that we are indeed Nigeria’s leading and largest political party. It also exhibits our numerical strength and the potential to win elections at all given times fairly and squarely.”
The President who adduced reasons for his recent intervention in the affairs of the party, assured that it was not intended to muzzle dissenting voices.
“Recently, l had cause to intervene in the leadership crisis which was about to cause confusion in the Party. Such internal disputes are common in young democracies such as ours, but we must avoid overheating the polity and not allow our differences to tear and frustrate the Party.
“Like I said earlier, it does not do anybody or the Party any good, when we, as leaders, go down so low and resort to backstabbing and name-calling in the media.
“We should learn how to resolve our differences without jeopardizing our personal relationships and the fate of the Party. I want to thank the Progressives Governors’ Forum for heeding to my advice and suggestions in settling the leadership dispute,” the President said.
President Buhari called on all politicians and the electorate to abide by the new Electoral Act “to promote the process of election, enhance transparency, fill in existing gaps and add value to Nigeria’s democracy for our democracy to thrive.”
Senator Abdullahi Adamu has emerged as the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), about a year and nine months after the Adams Oshiomhole led National Working Committee (NWC) was dissolved.
He was returned unopposed on Saturday at the party’s national convention held at the Eagle Square in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State announced Adamu as the winner of the contest after he was endorsed by party members and leaders at the convention via a voice vote.
He had gone into the election as the consensus candidate following the withdrawal of his co-contenders from the contest.
In recognition of their modest contributions in governance, the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu and his Deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, on Friday received Security Icon award of the year and the Dependable Democrat of the Year award respectively from the Management of a private radio station, Flo 94.9 FM.
Speaking shortly after recieving the award at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia during the Flo FM Icons Awards and 5th Anniversary ceremony, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu commended the Management and Staff of Flo 94.9 FM Radio Station for the wonderful contributions and partnership with Government in the good governance of the State.
He also lauded the Radio Station for projecting and disseminating Government’s activities and programmes as well as curbing unemployment through job creation for teeming unemployed youths in the State and beyond.
The Deputy Governor noted that the Radio Station has over the years recorded giant strides as an Electronic Media outfit by giving meaning and adding value to the lives of the people through information dissemination, education and entertainment in the State and beyond.
He appreciated the founder and Chairman, Chief Ray Nkemdirim, Governing Board, management and Staff of Flo FM Radio for finding him worthy to be honoured and reassured that the Dr Okezie lkpeazu’s led administration will continue to partner them to continue to deliver good and robust governance to the people through correct information dissemination of Government policies and programs.
Chief Ray Nkemdirim
Earlier in his remarks, the Founder and Chairman of Flo FM Radio Station, Chief Ray Nkemdirim while thanking God for all they have been able to achieve these years, said they have over the past five years of vibrant broadcasting provided veritable platforms for citizens and Government engagements through their numerous News and current affairs programs hinged on balanced, accurate, unbiased reportage and analysis.
Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa
The event featured a keynote lecture titled”Imperative Of Media Activism In Rescuing Nigeria From The Thros Of Poor And Retrogressive Government” by Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Goodwill messages from a communication expert, Prof Simeon Alozieuwa, book review of the book titled “Nigerian Security Challenges” authored by Chief Raymond Nkemdirim by Prof Aja Akpuru Aja.
The event attracted the presence of members of the State Executive Council, top Government Officials, Security Personnel, Captains of Industry, stakeholders in the communication sector and other distinguished personalities.
US President Joe Biden, speaking in Warsaw, said that Russia has “strangled democracy” in its invasion of Ukraine and called out Russian President Vladimir Putin’s lies in justifying the war.
President Joe Biden
“Over the last 30 years, the forces of autocracy have revived all across the globe. Its hallmarks are familiar ones: contempt for the rule of law, contempt for democratic freedom, contempt for the truth itself,” Biden said.
“Today, Russia has strangled democracy and sought to do so elsewhere, not only in his homeland. Under false claims of ethnic solidarity, he’s invalidated neighboring nations. Putin has the gall to say he’s ‘denazifying Ukraine.’ It’s a lie. It’s just cynical. He knows that. And it’s also obscene. President Zelensky was democratically elected. He’s Jewish. His father’s family was wiped out in the Nazi Holocaust. And Putin has the audacity, like all our autocrats before him, to believe that might will make right,” he said.
Biden then referenced US President Abraham Lincoln, who said “right makes might.”
Biden also addressed the Russian president’s criticism of NATO.
“A criminal wants to portray NATO enlargement as an imperial project aimed at destabilizing Russia. Nothing is further from the truth. NATO is a defensive alliance. It has never sought the demise of Russia,” Biden said.
Putin made the choice to engage in war, Biden said.
“It’s nothing less than a direct challenge to the rule-based international order established since the end of World War II, and it threatens to return to decades of war that ravaged Europe before the international rule-based order was put in place. We cannot go back to that. We cannot,” he said.
He then outlined steps to stymie Russia, including sanctions and other economic actions.
Reports from the Kaduna International Airport indicated that terrorists had invaded the runway and killed a security man attached to NAMA staff.
Kaduna International Airport
The terrorists also allegedly, prevented a Lagos bound commercial aircraft from taking off on Saturday.
A combined unit of the military and other security agents were, however, deployed to the airport so as to chase away the terrorists.
A source, however, told journalists that “the terrorists invaded the airport since Friday night but were repelled by the military.
” The terrorists were many, about 20:23 They later regrouped and attacked the airport again. As of 12.30 pm, we could still hear gunshots at the airport,” the source said.
There was no reaction from the authorities at the time of this report, even as journalists were told that fighting was still going on to chase the terrorists away from the airport.
A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has officially withdrew from the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Chairmanship race.
Yakubu Dogara
ABN TV reports that Dogara and five other aspirants were gunning for the position of the Deputy National Chairman (North) zoned to the North-east geopolitical zone.
The aspirants are former governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda; a former senator, Abubakar Girei; Sunny Moniedafe from Adamawa State, Abubakar Kyari and Faruk Aliyu.
In a letter, dated March 25, addressed to the APC National Convention sub-committee, sighted by this newspaper, Dogara said his decision is based on “President Muhammadu Buhari’s directives to adopt consensus in filling party positions at the APC Convention”. According to him, he is “unequivocally” supporting consensus, and endorsing Senator Kyari for the position of Deputy Chairman (North).
Over 7,000 delegates are attending the convention of the ruling party today (Saturday) at Eagle Square, Abuja, to elect new national and zonal officials.
Abia State governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Mascot Uzor Kalu, has expressed concern over what he described...
