All is set for the APC national convention and presidential primaries and NewsOnline Nigeria Team is live on Eagles Square, Abuja to bring you all the latest happenings as the ruling party elects flagbearer tonight.
Abia 50
Adamawa 63
Anambra 63
Bayelsa 24
Bauchi 55
Benue 64
Borno 81
Cross River 54
Delta 73
Enugu 51
Ekiti 48
Edo 54
Ebonyi 38
FCT 18
Gombe 33
Imo 81
Jigawa 81
Lagos 60
Plateau 51
Katsina 102
Kebbi 63
Kwara 48
Kogi 63
Kaduna 61
Kano 126
Nasarawa 39
Niger 75
Ondo 54
Ogun 60
Oyo 99
Osun 90
Rivers 69
Sokoto 69
Taraba 46
Yobe 51
Zamfara 42
Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello has said over 16 million Nigerians are supporting him to be President.
Bello said if nominated as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, he will defeat the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar within two hours on the election day.
He said as Governor, he has succeeded in addressing the problem of Insecurity in Kogi State.
He said: “We have not come this far to chicken out. We are here to win.
“I am here to build on the legacy of Buhari and confident of being the man to defeat PDP in the general election
“Don’t make the mistake of not voting for me. Over 16 millions are supporting me. I will win the general election before 2.00pm.”
By Moses Emorinken, Abuja
Immediate Past Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has claimed he is the most qualified aspirant to fly the flag of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 elections.
He urged the delegates not to be deceived by the money aspirants give them but vote for competence and track records, which he represent.
He said: “Your Excellency and delegates, I just turned 57. I may not not be the youngest candidate but I am not the oldest candidate.
“I am the most experienced of all the candidates. I was elected Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and I served for two terms. While serving as a speaker, I was the Chairman of the State Speakers of Nigeria twice. After that, I became the Governor of Rivers State and served for two terms. I was also elected Chairman of Governors forum twice.
“Your Excellency, by your grace and the Grace of God, you appointed the Ministry for Transportation; again, I served twice. Your Excellency, you appointed me the Director General of your campaign, and again I served twice. I am the first Nigeria to have in conjunction with others led a campaign that removed the siting government to bring in the opposition. I worked so hard with sleepless nights to bring our President.
“All those who have come here to speak should have told Nigerians what they have done in their states. Judge me by my work. When I became the Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the railway was moribund. Today, there are railways across the country.
“Please delegates, assess us by our contributions. Don’t access us by how much we bring here; if it is by how much we bring here, as all of us – what is our source of revenue and income? Don’t vote for me if I lie to you.
“Don’t vote for me if I have not performed, but I have performed. I have decided with my wife and children, friends and relations, that there is a need to move forward – to come forward to serve the country for Nigerians to hire me, and to fire me if I do not deliver.”
The chairman of the Election Management Committee, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has said that 3 delegates each from the 774 local government areas of the country will be voting to elect the party’s flag bearer.
National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged delegates of the party to elect him as the presidential candidate of the party.
He said he has what it takes to lead the nation to a brighter future if handed the party’s presidential ticket.
Addressing delegates at the APC Presidential convention, Tinubu said he has right experience and connection to put the country on the part of progress.
He said: “I have the experience. I have lead Lagos out of the dangerous times and placed it as the 5th largest economy in Africa today. I will use the experience and it will benefit all Nigerians.
“I am a unified leader and I have built political structures across the country. I stepped forward because I believe I can lead the party to victory and to the next level.
“My experience makes me unique along other aspirants. I will fight terrorism and insecurity to the very end. I mourn those that have been lost and ensure that it is eliminated from our land.
“Let me be that man to lead. Let us always honour the promise we made to Nigerians. I am confident, competent, courageous and ready to start from day one.”
Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has explained why the southwest has not been able to produce consensus candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary election.
Although he noted that consultations are still ongoing, he said shocking announcements could come up later before the voting begins.
Sanwo-Olu spoke in a live interview with Channels TV at the primary ground in Abuja monitored by The Nation.
He said the region has array of quality aspirants who believe they have the right qualities to rule the country.
He said: “It has been a very difficult task for us, and all of them (aspirants) believe that they’ve something, they’ve the qualities of running this country. Not up to two or three hours ago, we were all consulting.
“You know in politics, never say never. Things can begin to happen right here later tonight. We’ve had extensive consultations and we’ve given everybody fair hearing. We are just looking around it for peace and equity.
“That conversation is still ongoing. It doesn’t end until when ballot papers are distributed. People can come up and make announcement…I don’t know. I’m not an aspirant, but it is never say never.”
A presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Pastor Tunde Bakare has insisted he will win the party’s presidential ticket.
He described himself as the number 16 President, stating number 15, which is President Muhammadu Buhari, must help him to emerge.
He said the party is yet to reach out to him regarding consensus talks and stepping down.
While urging the party to be mannerly in communicating its decisions to candidates, especially with regards to selecting its flagbearer, Bakare said he had reached out to all delegates for the convention via SMS, stating he does not believe in financial inducements.
While expressing confidence that he would emerge the party’s flagbearer because according to him, “he carries grace,” he however stated the would support whoever emerges.
Speaking during a Channels TV interview at the venue of the convention in Abuja, he said: “Yes, I got to all the delegates and sent them bulk SMS in different languages. There is no single delegate – not the ones that have been banned because when they were running all around, they were going to statutory delegates that cannot vote tonight .
“I didn’t go to them. I got the information and booklet of all the delegates in every state and every local government and everyone got a message from me, and many responded.
“The delegates will vote for whoever they choose. We must stop all these financial inducements. If delegates and citizens allow politicians to take advantage of them, they will visit them around elections and rob their treasury for the next four years. We want to bring change into that order.
“I am going to be on the ballot because I paid for my form. In a decent and orderly society, if I apply to be a candidate and I paid all the necessary fees, courtesy demands that you tell me that – ‘oh, your name is not there.’ I can’t listen to Lalong.
“I did not have any communication from the party and I would not get information from television because I went to the secretariat and paid my fees. You cleared me. Whether I am disqualified nobody has said that, and nobody has said ‘will you step down?’
“Yes, I believe in the supremacy of the party but the party must have manners to tell people that – ‘okay, you have gone through this, but in the interest of our party, we want A,B,C to step down.’ I don’t get information from radio and television. The only promise I made to Nigerians from the day I started and till now, is to lead a cutting-edge nation.
“As far as I’m concerned, I offered myself. You can see the voting number dwindling over the years because people do not trust these same people with lots of experience that has brought us to this sorry state.
“I am not dissatisfied with the process because every process has its challenges and it is not easy to organise 23 adults. The moment this is over, whoever emerges we will support.”
When asked if he is confident that he will emerge he said: “Who knows, I carry grace, favour and God-factor. Give me an opportunity to speak to the delegates and let’s see what will happen.
“I will be the 16th president and when that time comes, number 15 must help number 16 because I did a great deal to ensure number 15 is enthroned in this country. I am a man of faith and what I speak is full of faith.”
One of Jigawa All Progressive Congress (APC) delegates, Alhaji Isah Baba Buji, has died while attending the presidential primary of the party in Abuja.
He slumped and died reportedly of suspected heart failure on Tuesday morning at Jigawa State Liason Office in Abuja.
The deceased was Assistant APC chairman in charge of Jigawa central zone.
He was said to have slumped while getting ready to go to Eagle Square, venue of the primary with other delegates from the State.
Jigawa APC Public Relations officer Malam Bashir Kundu confirmed the incident.
He told The Nation: said “Yes, he died this morning. He slumped at Jigawa State Liaison Officer in Abuja and he was rushed to hospital and died before arriving the hospital. When we arrived the hospital he was confirmed died. It had been said he died of heart failure.”
Senator Kabiru Gaya (Kano South) has stated there are ongoing efforts to reduce the list of proposed presidential aspirants to two.
He stated as at Tuesday evening, the contest was between Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo.
Gaya spoke in a live interview with Channels TV at the primary ground in Abuja monitored by The Nation.
The Nation reports those initially proposed were Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Rotimi Amaechi; Governor Kayode Fayemi and Governor Dave Umahi.
But after a fresh deliberation, the list was reduced to three aspirants with Tinubu, Osibanjo and Amaechi making the new list.
Gaya said: “Well, we are still at the process. We know during conventions like this, decision are taken at the last minute and when done at the last minute, people accept that decision.
“Yes, we are trying to trim down. All that we know is that the candidate at the presidency should go to the south. And as it is now, it is going to the south, so that we can have a northern vice-president.
“If we don’t agree on one person, atleast two or three persons will go to poll. The party wants the aspirants contesting to be reduced to two or even one.
“The two are Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice-president Yemi Osinbajo, so it comes down to the South West. The party would not simply say they’ve dropped a candidate.
“When the process begins, the candidate will mount the podium and tell us if they are stepping down, and who they are stepping down for.”
Police have teargassed accredited journalists who were trying to access the Eagle Square, venue of APC presidential primary.
The incident happened at the entrance gate facing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka however apologised to the journalists beforee assisting them to gain access into the square.
Read Also: EFCC operatives storm Eagle Square
He said: “I am sorry about the incident involving the use of tear gas by the police at the Foreign Affairs Ministry Access Gate of Eagle Square.
“Some of our accredited journalists were affected. As soon as I was notified, I went there and helped to give access to all accredited journalists.
“I hope everyone is all settled in now at the Convention”.
The mood at the convention supports power shift to the Southwest. Senator Kabiru Gaya says APC looks forward to a contest between Tinubu and Osinbajo. But, Amaechi and other aspirants are still kicking
VIDEO: Some supporters of presidential aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu arriving the Eagle Square venue for the APC Presidential Primary
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrived Eagle Square, venue of the All Progressives Congress(APC) presidential primary.
They arrived the Eagle Square around 3.30pm and were seen walking roundin a group.
The anti- graft agency was also at the presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Governor Atiku Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State with some members of the APC Presidential Primary Election Committee at the Eagles Square, Abuja
Newsonline reports that the All Progressives Congress( APC) governors have further pruned down the list of proposed presidential aspirants to three, removing the only South East Aspirant who initially the previous list.
Recall that the Governors in the early hours of Tuesday proposed a five-man list of aspirants to President Muhammadu Buhari to consider for consensus.
Those initially proposed were Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Rotimi Amaechi; Governor Kayode Fayemi and Governor Dave Umahi.
But they reportedly pruned the list to three aspirants with Tinubu, Osibanjo and Amaechi making the proposed list.
However, the proposal is not a binding decision but a suggestion to Buhari who has requested them to assist prune down the 23 aspirants for consensus.
However, other aspirants, particularly Kayode Fayemi and Yahaya Bello, are kicking, saying that they are still in the race.
Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi has said he has not withdrawn from the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress(APC).
There has been reports making the round in Abuja that Fayemi has withdrawn from the race and accepted the pruning down of the list of aspirants by his colleagues.
However responding to enquires, Special Adviser for the Governor, Yinka Oyebode said Fayemi remains the leading aspirant in the race.
He said: “That is a fake news. Nothing like that. Dr Kayode Fayemi is a leading aspirant in the race and looks good to win the contest.”
Seven presidential aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have rejected the five aspirants proposed sent to President Muhammadu Buhari by Governors.
A statement on Tuesday by the aspirants after a brief meeting in Abuja, distanced themselves from the purported list.
The aspirants include: Cross River Governor, Ben Ayade; former Minister for State for Education Emeka Nwajiuba; former Minister for Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu; former Imo Governor Rochas Okorocha and businessman Tein Jack-Rich.
The claimed that they were not consulted before the governors arrived at the decision
Describing the whole exercise as shambolic and failed attempt to sideline other aspirants particularly those from the South-East and South-South regions, the aspirants rallied support for the National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu.
The statement reads: “In the past few hours we have been bombarded with calls and messages from my supporters and concerned Nigerians on a list of five Presidential aspirants submitted to President Buhari to choose from.
“As long as we are concerned no list has been submitted to Mr. President, the move by the Governors is considered a joke taken to the extreme with the aim of playing with the intellect of Nigerians particularly us from the South-East.
“Mr. President’s directive is very simple, that all Presidential aspirants including those from the North should meet and harmonise in order to produce a single candidate. As it stands we have not been consulted or attended a meeting where it was agreed that such names be sent to Mr. President.
“In the so-called list out of the five names only one was selected from the South-East and we are talking about fairness and justice to the South.
“What the Governors have done is a mere picnic in the park. These are the same Governors talking about Equity, justice and fairness yet in a clandestine manner purportedly sidelined the South-east.
“In the absence of any harmonised agreement no list has been submitted to Mr. President, what they have done is just nothing but a charade which is bound to fail.
“We also have it on good authority that the majority of these Governors have been promised and also given various forms of gratifications in order to thwart the process in favour of one aspirant and such grand plot will fail woefully.
“More so, the party led by Senator Abdullahi Adamu remains the official organ of the party through which decisions taken by stakeholders in the party will be communicated and acted upon, in the absence of that any other move remains null and void.
“We urge all well-meaning Nigerians to disregard such information, as we remain in the race hence no consensus agreement has been reached amongst all contestants.”
Those shortlisted by the Governors are Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi; former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and Ebonyi Governor Dave Umahi.
The Governors after meeting with the President said they will return to the villa after meeting with the party’s National Working Committee, NWC, and other stakeholders.
President Muhammadu Buhari is in a meeting with one of the presidential aspirants of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Governor Yahaya Bello.
The meeting is holding at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Kogi Governor is among the 23 presidential aspirants of the APC cleared to contest for the primary of the party.
Although the APC Governors from the north have resolved that power should shift to the south, Bello has disassociated himself from the resolution.
The agenda of the meeting between the President and the Governor was not made known but there is an insinuation that Bello may discuss his decision on whether he will step down or not with the President.
Newsonline reports that the accreditation of delegates for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) special convention and presidential primary is ongoing at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Delegates were driven into the accreditation centre in designated buses.
Meanwhile, NewsOnline Nigeria reported that local and international journalists designated to cover the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are yet to get accreditated of the time of filing this report.
Journalists were left unattended as they waited for accreditation tags for onward movement to the Eagles Square, the venue for the primary.
Some journalists who had already proceeded to the venue were denied access as they did not have the accreditation tags.
At the time of filing this report, it was not clear why the Media and Publicity were yet to release the accreditation tags.
According to the programme of events, the exercise was supposed to kick off at 10 am with the arrival of National Delegates.
Media houses which nominated their staff to cover the event had written letters two weeks ago on the directive of the party.
Journalists designated to cover the presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are yet to get accreditated at 11:20 am.
Journalists were left unattended to as they waited for accreditation tags for onward movement to the Eagles Square, the venue for the primary.
Some journalists who had already proceeded to the venue were denied access as they did not have the accreditation tags.
At the time of filing this report, it was not clear why the Media and Publicity were yet to release the accreditation tags.
According to the programme of events, the exercise was supposed to kick off at 10 am with the arrival of National Delegates.
Media houses which nominated their staff to cover the event had written letters two weeks ago on the directive of the party.
Accreditation of delegates for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) special convention and presidential primary is ongoing at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.
Delegates were driven into the accreditation centre in designated buses.
There is excitement among Kwara State delegates about the proposal by the governors that five should contest the primary.
The delegates, who are rooting for Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, reiterated their commitment to the aspiration of the former Lagos State governor.
A delegate said:”May Allah bless our indefatigable governor, AbdulRasaq, who is not a noise maker. Under his leadership and direction, we are supporting our highly esteemed National Leader, who has been preaching peace and reconciliation in Kwara. He loves us. We are going to Eagle Square to pay him back with love. May Allah bless our governor. May Allah bless Asiwaju.”
Newsonline reports that Governors elected under the platform of ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have proposed five presidential aspirants to participate in today’s primary.
This online newspaper understands that Plateau Governor Simon Lilongwe, who confirmed the proposal to reporters in Abuja, said it was done based on the reality on ground and without bias and sentiments.
The five, who are from the South, are: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chibuike Amaechi, Prof Yemi Osinbajo , Dave Umahi and Kayode Fayemi.
That they are from the South attested the commitment of the Governors to zoning to the region.
Lalong said their names were listed in alphabetical order.
The Governor explained that President Muhammadu Buhari had asked the Progressives Governors’ Forum to reduce the number of aspirants and submit their names to the party.
He also said the five aspirants were also advised to discuss among themselves and agree on one candidate.
Remarkably, three of them are from Southwest, one from South south and one from the Southeast.
However, the proposal is not a decision but a suggestion.
Also, it is expected that other aspirants should embrace it to prevent any controversy arising over exclusion, which may lead to post-primary litigation.
Lalong said the long list of aspirants conveyed a crowded race that may unleash tension.
He dismissed insinuations about any consensus aspirant from the North, insisting that the Governors were committed to zoning.
The National Working Committee(NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) has backed Northern Governors of the party on power shift to the South.
Northern Governors on Monday insisted on power shift after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
This was despite the announcement of Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the preferred aspirant of the President Muhammadu Buhari by APC National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
Adamu made the announcement at the NWC meeting of the party in Abuja.
But APC Organisjng Secretary, Suleiman M Argungu, has said the choice of Lawan is simply Adamu’s opinion.
He said the NWC supports the position of Northern APG Govs on power shift .
He said the choice of Senate President Ahmed Lawan as consensus aspirant is not the position of the NWC but just an opinion of the National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Adamu.
“It is just an information given by the chairman. The NWC is with the Northern Govs on power shift to the South,” Argungun said.
Details Shortly…
APC Organising Secretary, Suleiman M Argungu, has stated the National Working Committee(NWC) supports the position of Northern APG Govs on power shift to the south.
He said the choice of Senate President Ahmed Lawan as consensus aspirant is not the position of the NWC but just an opinion of the National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Adamu.
Northern All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors have insisted on power shift to the South.
They spoke after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Simon Lalong, who led others to the meeting, also disclosed Buhari has not anointed anyone yet as his consensus candidate.
Thirteen out of the 14 APC Governors from the north at the meeting told State House Correspondents they were resolute on their decision.
Their position contradicts the announcement of Senate President Ahmad Lawan as consensus candidate of the party by the National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
Lalong told correspondents that President Buhari has requested the Governors to have a meeting with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to resolve the issue of consensus candidate through democratic means.
Lalong, who was flanked by 12 other Governors, said they told the President of their decision to ensure that power returns to the South for the sake of equity and unity of the country.
He said the Progressive Governors’ Forum would meet again at 5pm after consultation with the party’s NWC.
He said the Governors would be feeding the President back subsequently.
“Out of that discussions, Mr. President, as a believer in democratic process, believes that any candidate must emerge through a transparent process and the emphasis that Mr. President told us that for this election, for now, he has no anointed candidate and therefore directed that the Progressive Governors Forum meet with the National Working Committee of the party to agree and proffer further solutions and recommendations for his own succession.
“I am sure this will may be the last of consultations. So we are directed that after this, our chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum has also summoned a meeting for five o’clock today and after that meeting, will make again further suggestions to Mr. President,” Lalong said.
Details Shortly…
National Chairman, All Progressives Congress,, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, on Monday, told National Working Committee, NWC, members that Senate President Ahmad Lawan will be the consensus candidate of the party.
Newsonline reported that the announcement by Abdullahi Adamu, APC, did not go down well with members of the National Working Committe, which insisted that all aspirants shall be allowed to contest.
In the announcement from the former governor of Nasarawa State, Adamu, said other aspirants shall have the right to contest with the senate president, Ahmad Lawal, who has become the consensus candidate and favoured candidate of President Buhari.
What is the position the 2022 amended electoral act, on consensus candidate and what political game is going to be played in the 2023 general election?
Newsonline had reported that on January 25, the National Assembly, headed by Senator Ahmad Lawal, passed a harmonized re-amended electoral act 2022, with a clause that included consensus as one of three options for primary elections; still retaining the options of direct and indirect primaries.
The Clause 84(9)(a) of the re-amended 2022 Electoral Act states that: “A political party that adopts a consensus candidate shall secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the position, indicating their voluntary withdrawal from the race and their endorsement of the consensus candidate.”
Newsonline reports that among other aspirants for the presidential candidate of the APC, such written consent has not be given as at press time.
Where consent from aspirants is not obtained, the clause continued, the party would jettison the consensus arrangement and proceed with either direct or indirect primary election.
Clause 84(9)(b), states: “Where a political party is unable to secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the purpose of a consensus candidate, it shall revert to the choice of direct or indirect primaries for the nomination of candidates for the aforesaid elective positions.”
Clause 84(9)(c) further states that even when aspirants tender written documents to pave the way for emergence of consensus candidates, “a special convention or nomination congress will be held to ratify the choice of consensus candidates at the national, state, senatorial, federal and state constituencies, as the case may be.”
The amended Electoral Act, also stated that where there is only one aspirant or a consensus candidate in a political party for an elective position, “a special convention will be convened at a designated venue for the confirmation of the aspirant after which his name will be forwarded to INEC as the candidate.”
The consensus candidacy of Ahmed Lawal as announced by, APC, National Chairman, Adamu, has not followed the Electoral Act. This could be why the National Working Committee maintained that all contestants be given room to contest.
Newsonline reported that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice president, emerged the Peoples democratic Party candidate for the 2023 genera election.
Though Atiku did not emerge through consensus, but he shares the same geo-political environment with Ahmad Lawal. While Atiku is from Adamawa State, Lawal is from Yobe state.
Could it be that the APC are fighting to get the votes of North-East, where Atiku and Lawal belong to? Then the general votes of the 19 states of Northern Nigeria.
North-East, one the geo-political zones in Nigeria, since the return to democracy in 1999, has not produced the country’s president, like South-East.
The votes of North seems to be the deciding factor the rush for 2023 general election.
Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra state, was given the consensus candidate of Labour Party, after he defected from the Peoples Democratic party, following what he called ideological differences.
Does Peter Obi candidacy follow the stipulation of the 2022 amended Electoral Act? Shall his candidacy be later challenged in the court?
The former Anambra governor has gathered most most youths and celebrities, who have thrown in their weight to ensure his emergence come 2023 general election.
Newsonline had reported that Peter Obi’s social media following has been a cause of worry to other candidates including Atiku. Read more.
After the general elections of all political parties, shall INEC, the electoral body review these candidates in line with the provisions of the 2022 amended Electoral Act?
Has Peter Obi presidency been made easy by Lawal and Atiku candidacy?
Shall candidates head to court? Is Peter Obi, Ahmad Lawal, Atiku Abubakar, and their parties aware of the Electoral Act’s position on consensus candidacy.
All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu on Monday told National Working Committee (NWC) members that Senate President Ahmad Lawan will be the consensus candidate of the party.
According to him, the announcement was based on his consultation with President Muhammadu Buhari. The announcement was received with stiff resistance by NWC members who insisted the primary slated for June 6-8 must hold with all aspirants allowed to contest.
On January 25, the National Assembly passed a harmonised re-amended electoral act with consensus as one of three options for primary elections. The other options are direct and indirect primaries.
But the National Assembly set strict guidelines for consensus to scale through. Political parties, according to the amendment, would not adopt consensus candidates unless other aspirants for the elective position tender written documents indicating their consent to withdraw from the primary. The aspirants would also state their endorsements of the consensus candidates.
Clause 84(9)(a) of the re-amended electoral bill states: “A political party that adopts a consensus candidate shall secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the position, indicating their voluntary withdrawal from the race and their endorsement of the consensus candidate.”
If the written consent was not obtained, the party would jettison the consensus arrangement and proceed with either direct or indirect primary election, according to Clause 84(9)(b), which states: “Where a political party is unable to secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the purpose of a consensus candidate, it shall revert to the choice of direct or indirect primaries for the nomination of candidates for the aforesaid elective positions.”
Clause 84(9)(c) states that even when aspirants tender written documents to pave the way for emergence of consensus candidates, a special convention or nomination congress will be held to ratify the choice of consensus candidates at the national, state, senatorial, federal and state constituencies, as the case may be.
The bill further states that where there is only one aspirant or a consensus candidate in a political party for an elective position, a special convention will be convened at a designated venue for the confirmation of the aspirant after which his name will be forwarded to INEC as the candidate.
Crisis has hit the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the announcement of Senate President Ahmed Lawan as consensus presidential aspirant by the national chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
Adamu made the announcement at the meeting of National Working Committee (NWC) on Monday in Abuja.
Other aspirants including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Dr. Kayode Fayemi and David Umahi, among others will however be allowed to contest the primary at the convention holding tomorrow at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
The NWC members insisted other aspirants must be given a level playing ground to compete.
Adamu’s adoption of Lawan as consensus candidate is against the position of 11 APC northern Governors, who endorsed that power must shift to the South after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
Adamu told the National Working Committee that he arrived at the choice of Lawan after consultation with President Buhari.
President Muhammadu Buhari is in a meeting with some Governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the north at the Presidential Villa Abuja.
The meeting is coming just hours ahead of the APC’s presidential convention, which is scheduled to take off today at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
Although there was no official note to the reason for the meeting with the Governors, it was suggested it may not be unconnected with preparations towards assuring a successful convention.
It is the fourth meeting between the President and party stakeholders in relation to the primary.
Aside from his meeting with APC Governors last Tuesday, Buhari has met with the party’s presidential aspirants where he urged them to consult and pick a formidable candidate from among themselves.
On Sunday night, the President also hosted members of the National Advisory Council to a
Those in attendance are Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); chairman of Northern Governors Forum Simon Lalong; Abubakar Baduru (Jigawa) and Babagana Zulum (Borno).
Others are: Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina); Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa); Bello Matawale (Zamfara); Mallam Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna); Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano); Yahaya Inuwa (Gombe); Abubakar Bello (Niger) and Mai Mala Buni (Yobe).
Frontline presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is projected to be ahead in the party’s presidential primaries slated for today and tomorrow in Abuja.
A number of factors make Tinubu the candidate to beat. The factors are: nationwide recognition, reach, structure, support, endorsements, mass appeal, track record as governor of Lagos State, rich experience in both the private and public sectors.
Tinubu, along with President Buhari, is a co-founder of the APC.
He has mentored politicians across the country, many of who became governors, senators, House of Representatives members, or were elected or appointed through his support.
Tinubu, as APC National Leader, has profound influence on the key structures of the party in many states.
He also has the backing of more governors than his rivals.
With governors having tremendous influence on the delegates – three per local government – Tinubu can feel confident about emerging his party’s torch-bearer and a potential face-off with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President candidate Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election.
The APC northern governors, in a communiqué at the end of their Abuja meeting on Saturday, advised President Muhammadu Buhari to restrict his search within the party for a successor to the southern states.
They said power shift to the South would be in the interest of building a stronger, more united and more progressive country.
Based on the decision, Jigawa State Governor Mohammed Badaru withdrew from the race.
In the South, the Southwest is the bastion of the APC.
Tinubu is the clear favourite in the geo-political zone. He is also being backed strongly by most of the states in the North.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo may get his votes from Ogun which is his home state and Nasarawa where he is believed to be backed by the state governor.
Former Minister of Transportation Mr. Chibuike Rotmi Amaechi may get his votes from his home state, Rivers, and Plateau where he is being backed by the state governor.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi may get his votes from Ekiti, Jigawa where the governor is his friend. He may also get some votes from Kebbi because of his closeness to the state governor.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan is being backed by his state, Yobe and states in the Southeast.
Of all the contenders, Tinubu best fits President Muhammadu Buhari’s description of the candidate of his choice.
The President recommended a party man who must be formidable, who appeals to the electorate across the board.
Projection as at today.
Tinubu is projected to win Kano, Lagos, Oyo, Borno, Sokoto, Bauchi, Osun, Benue, Ondo, Edo, Katsina, Gombe, Niger, Kaduna, Zamfara and Adamawa states.
Osinbajo: Ogun and Nasarawa.
Yahaya Bello: Kogi
Amaechi: Rivers and Plateau
Lawan: Yobe, Kebbi (strong), Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra and Enugu.
Fayemi: Ekiti, Jigawa and Kebbi (partially)
Akpabio: Akwa Ibom
Ayade: Cross River
Undecided states: Delta and Bayelsa.
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Newsonline reports that the ad hoc delegates for the presidential primary election of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, are all set to elect the party’s flagbearer for the 2023 general elections. The primary election starts today, Monday, June 6th, 2022.
The ruling party sold 28 forms to 28 different aspirants at the rate of N100 million each and 23 of these contestants were screened last week.
Among the 23, 13 of them were said to have passed the screening exercise, according to John Oyegun, Chairman of the party’s presidential screening committee, while 10 others were ‘disqualified’.
However, the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu, countered the Screening Committee’s report, saying that no aspirant was disqualified. He said that all the aspirants would battle it out for the party’s sole presidential ticket.
Three aspirants, namely: the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele and the Minister of Petroleum for State, Timipreye Sylva, did not submit their forms, while former President, Goodluck Jonathan and Akinwumi Adesina did not show up for screening.
The APC has a total of 2,340 delegates who are set to cast their votes for the aspirants.
And from all indications, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chibuike Amaechi, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Ahmed Lawan are the leading contenders for the party’s ticket.
Among the others ready to fight it out for the party’s flag are: former Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio; former Minister of Education for State, Emeka Nwajiuba; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello; former National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu; former Ogun State governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosu.
Others are Pastor Tunde Bakare, Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi, Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Jigawa governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and former Zamfara State governor, Sen. Ahmed Yerima.
Meanwhile, the Northern APC Governors had at the weekend asked aspirants from the region to step down and allow their Southern counterparts contest for the primary. The Governors agreed that it was the turn of the South to produce the next President.
They called on President Muhammadu Buhari to pick his successor from the Southern part of the country.
In another development, President Muhammadu Buhari, on his return from the Kingdom of Spain at the weekend, met with all the presidential aspirants of the party, urging them to settle for a consensus candidate. However, it seems that the ruling party’s aspirants are finding it difficult to reach a consensus.
According to the Electoral Act, all the candidates must agree to step down for one of them for a consensus to be reached and if this is not the case, they have to battle it out in the primaries.
The ruling All Progressives Congress has today, tomorrow and Wednesday to decide who bears its flag for the 2023 presidential election.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has already emerged the presidential candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and is keenly watching to know his opponent.
Follow this thread for updates and results of the APC presidential primary election.
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