Successful conduct of APC convention will throw PDP into disarray – Lawan

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said on Sunday the successful conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) national convention would throw the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other rival parties into disarray.

Lawan stated this on his Facebook page while congratulating the new national chairman of the party, Abdullahi Adamu, on his success at the convention.

The former Nasarawa State governor and 72 other persons were elected into various leadership positions at the APC national convention held at the Eagles Square, Abuja, on Saturday.

The Senate president wrote: “I heartily congratulate His Excellency, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, on his emergence as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the just-concluded National Convention of our great party.

The unanimous affirmation of Senator Adamu’s candidature at the convention is a testimony to the tremendous respect that he enjoys across the polity for his integrity, experience, and leadership capacity.

“I share this common belief in his suitability for piloting the affairs of our great party from this very important juncture.

I also congratulate other members of the newly inaugurated National Working Committee (NWC) and other zonal officers of our party on their elections.

“I urge them all to do their best to deliver their mandates and live up to the great expectations of the teeming members of our great party across and outside of Nigeria.

“The emergence of Senator Adamu and his great team from a rancour-free convention has drawn the envies of our rivals and sent jitters down their spines.

“That is unavoidable, given the status of the APC in the Nigerian polity and the warm place it has occupied in the hearts of Nigerians since its formation and assumption of national governance.

“I commend all the aspirants whose sacrifices, cooperation, and abiding love for the party provided the environment and impetus for the attainment of consensus in the leadership selection process at the convention. Posterity will recognise their great sacrifices.

“I also thank President Muhammadu Buhari and other leaders of our great party whose exemplary leadership and wise counsels led to the success of the convention.

“With the successful conclusion of the National Convention, our great party is good to go for our primaries within the timeframe prescribed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”

‘Adamu has lot of baggage bordering on corruption allegations,’ PDP slams APC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday mocked the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the emergence of former Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Adamu, as the party’s new national chairman.

Adamu and 72 other persons were elected into the APC National Working Committee (NWC) at the party’s national convention held on Saturday in Abuja.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, PDP challenged the former governor to defend himself on the allegations of financial impropriety hanging on his neck.

The party accused Adamu of mismanaging N15 billion belonging to the Nasarawa State government.

The statement was PDP reaction to the ex-governor’s remark on its 16-year rule in the country.

Adamu had in a chat with journalists before the APC convention claimed the opposition party destroyed the Nigerian economy throughout its years in power.

The statement read: “A bad workman complains of his tools and an irredeemably bad workman complains of others. Adamu does not deserve a response from the PDP. He has a lot of baggage bordering on corruption allegations. He should first and foremost tell Nigerians, particularly the people of Nasarawa State the whereabouts of that huge sum of money.

“A party that promised Nigerians change but brought them sorrow, pain and death should keep quiet at a time well-meaning Nigerians are exploring ways to get the country back on track.

“Instead of change, APC brought us chaos-chaos in national security, chaos in economy, chaos in education, and chaos across all sectors. There is no basis to compare the 16 glorious years of the PDP with the seven sorrowful years of the APC. Take to the streets and ask ordinary Nigerians to tell you the condition of their lives under APC and the PDP.

The Mala Buni caretaker committee that presided over the convention was illegal and something cannot stand on nothing. At the appropriate time, Adamu and co-travelers will have themselves to blame.

“At a time they were doing what they called a convention, terrorists wreaked havoc, seized the Kaduna airport, and prevented innocent Nigerians from flying. Adamu should brace up for what awaits him and his party. Nigerians have moved on.”

Things will get better very soon – APC

The All Progressives Congress, (APC) has assured Nigerians that the dire situation in the country would soon improve considerably.

APC gave the assurance on Saturday, 19th of March while urging Nigerians to keep hope alive.

The ruling party, in a statement released via Twitter, spoke on the collapse of national grid and described it as ‘regrettable’.

Things will get better very very soon, so keep hope alive, Nigerians!

MINISTRY OF POWER: Recent Grid collapses are “regrettable” & “a direct consequence of a snap on a 330kV transmission line.

Mitigation measures for avoiding such incidence of blackouts are being implemented through several interventions including the Presidential Power Initiative””, it wrote.

https://twitter.com/APCNigeria/status/1505229974533517314?t=98W7PAsNy14bW4WbiE5H4g&s=19

PDP warns APC aspirants against contesting under current ‘illegal CECPC’

The fallout of the leadership tussle plaguing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to reverberate across the polity as the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reacted to the situation.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, titled ‘Leadership crisis: APC is defunct, not eligible to contest elections – PDP’.

Ologungba also warned political aspirants under the APC from contesting under the ‘illegal CECPC’ who can “only produce invalid candidates just like in the case of Zamfara and Rivers States in the 2019 general elections where the APC had invalid candidates due to defective primaries.”

Our Party, therefore, urges aspirants intending to contest in the 2023 general elections under the APC as well as their supporters to read the handwriting on the wall and not waste their resources, time and energy in the APC.”

The main opposition, which described the APC as legally defunct, argued that the unilateral dismissal and replacement of Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, with his Niger State counterpart, Abubakar Bello, by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), as Chairman of the CECPC confirms that the CECPC is an illegal creation lacking statutory powers, authority and legitimacy of party leadership.

“With the absence of a National Working Committee, National Executive Committee, a Board of Trustees or legitimate structures in the States, the APC is plagued by confusion and fierce infighting by its various warlords with two National Chairmen, multiple factions in the states and a national secretariat now taken over by security agencies.

Moreover, by virtue of Section 183 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) which bars a sitting governor from holding ‘any other executive office in any capacity whatsoever’ while serving as a State Governor, the APC’s CECPC whether headed by Governor Buni or Governor Bello remains constitutionally invalid.”

On Monday, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) reportedly replaced the chairman of its Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) Mai Mala Buni

This is as the governor of Niger State, Sani Bello met with the leadership of the party at its Abuja secretariat and went on to swear in 36 New states chairmen of the party.

However, Buni described it as fake news, reports that President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered his removal as the party’s helmsman.

APC accuses Court of ‘judicial error’ over Umahi’s removal as Gov

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Federal High Court of ‘judicial error’ after a ruling declaring that Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi and his deputy, Eric Igwe, vacate their seats as the sitting governor and deputy respectively.

This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director (Publicity) APC National Headquarters, Salisu Na’inna Ɗambatta, who described the ruling as a “glaring judicial error” and a “travesty of justice”.

Dambatta said, “The presiding judge committed a glaring judicial error by giving judgment sacking a duly elected and sworn-in governor and his deputy without relying on or citing any provision(s) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any provision of the Electoral Act that empowers the court to sack a sitting Governor and or his Deputy. This is purely a travesty of justice.”

Furthermore, the APC criticised the Court for referencing Amaechi’s case, noting it was not a case of defection.

In February 2014, the Supreme Court dismissed a suit filed by Celestine Omehia, a former governor of Rivers State, challenging the election of his successor, Rotimi Amaechi.

The court quashed the decision of an appeal court which gave Mr. Omehia a temporary win that suggested he may oust Mr. Amaechi after seven years in office.

The long-drawn case dates back to 2010.

Mr. Omehia was removed from office in October 2007 after holding office for five months. The Supreme Court at the time ruled that he had usurped Mr. Amaechi’s ticket for the election, and accordingly handed Mr. Amaechi the top job.

In its statement regarding the ruling against Umahi, the APC said, “The Electoral Act and the judgment in Amaechi vs INEC contemplate who is the right candidate of the party and not the issue of defection. As you all know, neither Amaechi nor Omehia raised the issue of defection to another political party.

“So it is absolutely ridiculous and questionable, as it is shameful that a judge could decide a weighty matter such as conditions for sacking the governor of a state without relying on any express provision of the Constitution or Electoral Act or Judicial Authority either of superior courts or even courts of coordinate jurisdiction,” the statement read.

Governor Umahi and his deputy had been elected into office in the 2015 and 2019 general elections on the platform of the PDP. However, they defected to the APC in 2020.

Consequently, the PDP approached the court, asking for Umahi’s removal.

In his ruling on Tuesday, Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that Governor Umahi and his deputy cannot transfer the mandate of the PDP to their current party, the APC.

He described their defection as illegal, null, and unconstitutional.

APC is a santuary of corruption and TI report validates our stance —PDP Minority Reps Caucus

Lawmakers under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives have berated the Federal Government led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) of plunging the country into the abyss of corruption.

This was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Minority Caucus via its spokesman, Ndudi Elumelu, who revealed his fears as Nigeria ranked 154 out of 180 countries in the latest 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International.

According to the PDP lawmakers, this was further proof that the ” APC is a sanctuary of corruption, which provides cover for its corrupt members to continue in looting our national treasury.

The statement reads, “The TI report is a direct validation of the position of the Minority Caucus that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its government are hopelessly corrupt and lacking in ideas and programmes that would positively impact on our people.

“The TI Report also validates the stance of the Minority Caucus that the APC is a sanctuary of corruption, which provides cover for its corrupt members to continue in looting our national treasury; a development that has brought infrastructural stagnation and economic hardship in the country.

Moreover, the Minority Caucus notes Nigeria’s continued decline in corruption rating since the APC took over in 2015. This points to the fact that the situation and its attendant woes to Nigerians will continue to worsen as long as the APC remains in power.

“Such proclivity for corruption is complemented by fake promises and false performance claims, which have been the stock-in-trade of the APC and its government.

“As representatives of the people, the Minority Caucus has intensified its checks mechanisms particularly in our strict monitoring of all provisions in the 2022 budget to ensure the delivery of all approved items.

“Furthermore, the Minority caucus assures that it will never relent in fighting for the wellbeing of the people and urges Nigerians to remain focused in their determination to vote out the APC in 2023 and usher in a government that truly cares for their interest.”

If the APC finds me worthy to run for President, I won’t say no —Gov Ayade

The Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, has not ruled out the possibility of running for President in 2023, but only if the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), finds him worthy to be given the ticket.

Ayade, who made this known when he featured on a Channels Television programme, Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, said he would not disobey the party if the leadership nominated him to run for the topmost position in the country.

Ayade who defected to the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) last year, however, said he would not go out of his way to seek the party ticket as he would not want to rock the peaceful boat of the party.

“I think the party should take a decision based on zoning principles which would be resolved as a party.”

When asked if he would consider running for President in 2023, Ayade said:

“Let me say, yes and no; if the APC family finds that I am fit and proper, yes.

“But if the family (APC) finds that there is a better option and that option fits into the zoning arrangement, of course, I will stand by the party position. I am a conformist; I stand with the system. I have never been an aberrant, I work with the system.”

PDP will rescue Nigeria from APC in 2023 —Bayelsa Gov, Diri

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has insisted that only the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will rescue Nigeria from the “mess and economic woes” the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has thrown the country into in the last six years.

Diri made the assertion while playing host to his counterpart from Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who was in Yenagoa, the state capital, on a visit on Monday.

While speaking at the reception organized in honour of Wike, Diri insisted that “only the PDP can rescue Nigeria from its present state of insecurity and economic woes.”

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Daniel Alabrah, Diri said:

“The presidency is one sacred office and we must do everything to protect it and ensure that our party clinches victory at the 2023 general polls.

The number one thing for our party is our unity. Second is who becomes president. We have a capable national chairman that can steer us back to power come 2023.”

Diri also had complimentary words for Wike, describing the Rivers governor as a “model of quality leadership and purposeful governance”, stressing that the Niger Delta region needed such leaders to unite and tackle their common challenges.

In his response, Wike said he was confident the PDP would dislodge the APC and produce the next president of Nigeria in 2023.

Today, I came to let everybody know that Governor Diri is one of the governors I can tell you have showed commitment even though he is new and he believes in the development of his state. I am not someone that will come and say what is not correct.

“I have also come to tell him that everybody must work together to make the PDP united because without party, there cannot be presidential candidate. Let us all unite.

“Nigerians are waiting for PDP and we cannot afford to miss this opportunity. As governors, we must work together.

“Anybody can be presidential candidate but if we are not united, it cannot be possible.”

Gov Wike double-faced, aiding illegal oil bunkering in Rivers —APC

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has alleged that the state governor, Nyesom Wike is aiding illegal oil bunkering in the state.

In a statement signed by the APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Senibo Finebone, the opposition accused Wike of being double faced and selective in his fight against illegal oil bunkering.

Recall that Governor Wike, on January 9, 2022, declared wanted, those he described as “kingpins of bunkering and illegal crude oil refining activities”

Wike had published a list of 19 names of alleged illegal oil bunkers and crude oil refiners.

The governor also threatened to publish names of people behind illegal bunkering activities in Okrika communities, Port Harcourt Township, Rivers South-East and Rivers South-West Senatorial Districts, if they fail to voluntarily report themselves to the police.

Reacting to the governor’s naming and shaming act, the APC said it had conducted an investigation, which “has revealed indirect largescale complicity by the Rivers State Government in the menace.”

The party alleged that Julius Berger Construction Company, a major partner of the Rivers State government in execution of projects, patronizes illegal oil bunkers and that the governor was aware.

The statement reads in part: “From 2015 to date, most major projects by the Rivers State Government since its inauguration are being executed by Julius Berger Nigeria Ltd.

“At the present peak of Julius Berger activities in Rivers State, the company consumes on the average about 300,000 litres of AGO per day. This has undeniably become one single biggest AGO consumption volume in Rivers State. Sadly, the entire volume of AGO is sourced from illegal refiners of the product locally called ‘kpofire’ and the reason is that Julius Berger in Rivers State buys AGO at between N220 and N240 per litre, whereas, the official ex-depot price of AGO from NIPCO and other major importers range from N315 to N350 per litre”.

It was further stated that Julius Berger provided a ready market for illegal refiners, thereby “encouraging so many people (young and old) to join the illegal refining business”.

The APC alleged that Wike had only published few names while protecting others because of self interest.

The statement queries, “Who is the governor afraid of in declaring all suspects involved in the illegal business wanted in all the LGAs particularly those contiguous to Port Harcourt?

“Rivers APC is deeply worried that the hurried action of the governor in declaring some persons wanted and and leaving out others, is typical of the kneejerk style of Gov Wike and will only scratch the problem on the surface without getting to its very roots with a view to stamping it out.”

The APC urged Wike to choose the protection of lives of residents of Port Harcourt and Rivers State over his alleged interests in Julius Berger Nigeria Ltd.

Illegal oil bunkering and crude oil refining has resulted in a surge of airborne particulate (black soot) in parts of the state, causing health harzards to the residents.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command on Monday revealed that it had yet to receive any memo towards commencing a manhunt for 19 persons allegedly involved in illegal oil refining and bunkering.

This was disclosed by the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, in response to questions from the media over the state government’s pronouncement.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that Governor Nyesom Wike announced a list of 19 kingpins wanted for alleged illegal oil refining and bunkering.

However, in his statement, Eboka said, “Actually I heard over the news that some people have been declared wanted by the State Government. We are still expecting to get the list from the government so we can work on them.

“We don’t act on what we hear on the radio. By the time we get the list, we will go after them and I want to assure you that they will be arrested and prosecuted if we have evidence to prosecute them.”

Ayade rejects APC demand for workers’ sack in Cross River

The Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, on Friday ruled out sack of any staff in the state.

Ayade was reacting to demand by the All Progressive Congress (APC) for the sack of workers who are still loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

The governor, who addressed journalists at his office in Calabar, said: “I do not have the heart to lay off my workers or government staff. Sometimes I will have reports about those that have committed very serious offences.

“I have even personally caught some red-handed doing the very wrong things.

I will ponder over what they, especially their wives, children, and dependants would go through if I sack them. These thoughts would force me to overlook and forgive them.

“It is not morally very right to lay them off from their works simply because they are not in my party yet.

“I play politics with moral conscience. As governor, I am also a father of the state. I can only be forced to sack when it has become too unbearable.”

Gov Sule rejects predictions on APC break-up after Buhari’s exit from power

The Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on Sunday rejected predictions on the break-up of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure in 2023.

Sule, who featured in a Channels Television’s programme, Sunday Politics, also slammed critics who predicted Nigeria’s break-up in 2015.

He assured Nigerians that the APC would present a competent candidate in the 2023 presidential election.

The governor said: “The same people who have told us that by 2015 Nigeria will break up and there will be no Nigeria, we still have Nigeria. So the same people are predicting the APC disintegration.

“There are people who just believe in this kind of prophecies. I don’t believe our party will go into pieces. Yes, the absence of Muhammadu Buhari on the ticket is a major thing for us, that is the reason we have to look and make sure that we have a presidential candidate that is acceptable to all, including Muhammadu Buhari himself.”

He stressed that the APC would have no problem winning the elections with generally acceptable candidates in place at all levels.

APC accuses Gov Obaseki of budget padding

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State on Sunday accused Governor Godwin Obaseki of budget padding.

In a statement issued by its Assistant Publicity Secretary in the state, Victor Ofure Osehobo, the APC claimed that the projects listed by the governor for execution in the 2022 budget proposal were duplicated.

The party described the appropriation bill as unrealistic.

Obaseki presented the Edo State 2022 budget proposal of N214.2b to the Assembly on December 1.

APC said: “On a closer look, the 2022 Obaseki budget proposal, is completely unrealistic and duplicitously embellished with impractical predictions, a development that confirms fears by many Edo people that this administration is obviously still trying unsuccessfully to lay a foundation for governance as Obaseki himself declared five years on!

The proposal again illustrates that Governor Obaseki has perfected the art of wasting Edo State’s funds on frivolities. How does he explain the allocation of N21 billion for government buildings and another N15 billion to enhance the work environment?

As expected, the Obaseki 2022 estimates are padded and this can be deduced from such spurious allocations as providing social and youth development, N5billion; technology enhancement, N7.6billion and effective fiscal and business-friendly regulatory policies, N4.5billion.

“The proposal includes water, which is non-existent and which the government has never attempted to provide anywhere in the state, for N1.2billion. This is as ridiculous as the provision of N1.5billion for citizen re-orientation and social protection, and N9.2billion for public safety and security, which are suspicious and questionable, and call for answers.”

26-year-old man to contest for APC National Women Leader position

A Kano man, Ameer Sarkee is seeking to vie for the position of the National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sakee, a member of the ruling APC is known for eyeing a post exclusively reserved for a woman.

In 2019, he contested for the post of women leader in a Kwankwasiyya group – a group loyal to former governor of Kano Rabiu Kwankwaso.

The 26-year-old Kano State polytechnic graduate lost on that occasion.

He, however, said he would not let himself be defeated this time around, saying he has experience dealing with women’s issues.

Speaking with BBC Hausa, he promised that he would ensure that women’s voices are heard more in politics and governance if he becomes the national women chairperson in the APC.

He said; “Ever since I was a child when I saw a woman in need of help I tried to help her – like helping them to carry their loads or buying them something – and that’s why I wanted to be the female leader of our party.

“Some people ask me why I am running for the post and my answer is ‘God created men to guide the affairs of women. So it is not a bad thing for me to want to lead women especially given that I mean well for them.”

Ameer said he hopes the women of the APC will agree to vote for him even though he is a man, saying his greatest challenge remains women who see him as stripping them of their positions.

“The biggest challenge I face is gaining the trust of women; some are jealous of seeing me lead them, others think I’m going to take what belongs to them but it’s not.

“At the same time I am getting encouragement from women, even yesterday some women’s groups came to show their support for me and many of them are supporting me on social media,” Ameer said.

Nigeria moving in wrong direction under APC – Gov Okowa

The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okwa, said on Monday Nigeria is headed in the wrong direction under the All Progressives Congress (APC) watch.

Okowa, who stated this in an interview on Channels Television, said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), would do better than APC if returned to power in 2023.

The governor said: “In the first instance, we are not competing with them anymore. Looking through the years of PDP and looking through these past six years plus, the difference is clear.

“I believe that Nigerians are able to see for themselves that the PDP came in at a time when things were really very difficult and we were able to build a foundation.

“We started building on that foundation that was laid by the Obasanjo administration and we went on.

“Apparently, it appears that everything is tumbling down. Everything is just going in the reverse in such a manner that is not good for our nation.

Look at the time the PDP was in power and when we were leaving — the naira to dollar level and what it is today. There are too many issues. We are getting to a stage now where we are not even sure of food even for the middle class not to talk of the very low class.

“Most of the things that we see today that had brought Nigeria on good strides were actually foundations laid by the PDP. And looking through the economic projections, you will find out that we have gotten it all wrong in this current administration.

“I believe that Nigerians know the truth and Nigerians do know that PDP will do better than APC. There is no competition. There is no comparison at this level because the truth is quite clear that we are actually not moving in the right direction under the APC governance.”

APC providing platform for youths to unlock potential – Aondoakaa

A former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, said on Sunday the All Progressives Congress (APC) has provided a political space for youths to unlock their potential.

Aondoakaa, who stated this at the Benue APC Youth Council maiden Youth Summit in Makurdi, added that the party placed a great premium on youth development.

He was represented at the forum by an APC chieftain in the state, Mr. Terwase Akume-Iusa.

He said: “APC is opening the political space and helping all young people to unlock our potential, to help you to fully appreciate who you are and what the future offers you.

“We attach great importance to your role of meeting the challenge of, and progress towards, building diverse, inclusive and peaceful political climate in Nigeria and Benue state in particular.

“May I appeal to all Benue APC youth that in spite of the adverse economic challenges confronting everyone today, do not play into the hands of desperate politicians.”

The ex-AGF, who is eyeing the APC ticket in the 2023 governorship election in Benue, promised to fast-track the development of the state if elected.

Ex-commissioner emerges APC chairman in Oyo

A former Commissioner for Lands and Housing in Oyo State, Isaac Omodewu, on Saturday, emerged as the All Progressive Congress (APC) chairman in the state.

Omodewu was elected chairman after delegates reached a consensus and affirmed his candidacy at the congress held at the party’s state secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan.

A strong contingent of security operatives was seen at the APC secretariat on Saturday morning with two mobile police vans and armed officers strategically positioned within the premises.

There were fears that the exercise may be postponed again due to disagreements over the delegates’ list.

The pre-congress meeting slated to hold early in the morning did not start until 11:30 a.m., prompting fears that the process had been put forward again.

The congress was postponed twice over allegations that some groups in the party had doctored the delegates’ lists.

In his address after the confirmation of his election as APC chairman in Oyo State, the ex-commissioner appealed to party members to put their grievances aside and work for its success in future elections.

‘I was once blind but now I can see,’ Melaye swears never to return to APC

A former federal lawmaker representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, vowed on Thursday he would never return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Melaye, who stated this when he featured in a Channels Television programme, Politics Today, said “no reasonable man should ever return to his vomit.”

The politician dumped the APC for PDP shortly before the 2019 general elections.

He said: “No reasonable human being will go back to his vomit. The APC is a disaster. For every human being, there is a journey of life. You will definitely pass through your Egypt to the land of Canaan. So I pass through Egypt, and that is APC. But I am in Canaan and I am comfortable and enjoying my stay.”

The ex-lawmaker also claimed the ruling party was behind the PDP’s recent travails.

The PDP is expected to hold its national convention on Sunday.

However, the Appeal Court will on Friday rule on an application filed by the party’s suspended National Chairman, Uche Secondus, seeking to stop the convention.

Melaye added: “PDP is not in a dilemma. My party is solid. There is no fear, no agitation. The agitation is rather from the APC, who are part of those orchestrating what we are saying.”

PDP state officers join APC in Yobe

Some top officials and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Yobe on Tuesday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Those who switched to the ruling party included the Deputy Chairman of PDP in the state, Alhaji Usman Amale, and the Assistant Secretary, Ahmadu Biriri.

The state’s Governor, Mai Mala Buni, received the defectors at a ceremony in Damaturu, the state capital.

Buni, who is also the Chairman of APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee, thanked them for being part of the movement to salvage Nigeria.

He said: “APC is now a movement that is targeting the unity, progress, and development of Nigeria.

We are welcoming high profile Nigerians from all walks of life, from different backgrounds, cultures, religions, and geopolitical backgrounds.

The solution to the problems facing Nigeria lies in the political stability of the country. We should all come together to promote our unity for development.”

He assured the defectors of equal rights and opportunities like any other member to contribute to the development of Nigeria.

Amale, who spoke on behalf of the defectors, said they had no reason to stay in PDP and apologised for the delay in moving to the ruling party.

He said: “In fact, we had no reason to be in PDP because our leader and Chairman of APC needs the support for political stability in Nigeria.”

APC will take over Benue in 2023 – Akume

The Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, George Akume, said on Sunday the All Progressives Congress (APC) will take over in Benue State in 2023.

Akume, who stated this at the end of the APC state congress held in Makurdi, said the successful conduct of the exercise was an indication that the party would legitimately take over power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in two years’ time.

At the congress, Austin Agada was elected the APC chairman in Benue.

The Chairman of the party’s Electoral Committee in the state, Abubakar Mohammed, who declared the result of the exercise in Makurdi, said Agada polled 1,385 votes to defeat his opponent, Mr. Omale Omale, who boycotted the election.

He said 1,500 delegates voted in the election, adding that other newly elected officials emerged unopposed.

Mohammed commended the APC leaders in Benue for the maturity they exhibited during the congress.

APC inaugurates reconciliation committee

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee, Mai Mala Buni, on Monday inaugurated the party’s National Reconciliation Committee ahead of its national convention.

In his address at the event, Buni said the committee was set up to reconcile members who were aggrieved by the outcome of the party’s congresses.

He said members of the committee were carefully selected based on their individual track records of excellence, adding that they had served the party with a high sense of commitment and dedication.

He charged them to critically examine areas of conflict in the party’s just-concluded ward and local government congress and advance solutions to problems noticed during the processes.

The committee is headed by the former governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Adamu while Mr. Moses Adeyemo will serve as the secretary.

Other members of the committee are former governors George Akume (Benue), Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Ali Saad (Jigawa), and former Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara.

Buni said: “I want to sincerely commend and appreciate you for the great sacrifices you made to the process of rebuilding the party.

“The much-anticipated congresses have commenced and progressed with significant successes.

“We have also constituted mechanisms such as the appeal committees to address complaints arising from the conduct of the congresses.

Your report on the resolution of these discrepancies will indicate our readiness as a united and strong family for the national convention. Your assignment, therefore, has great impact and influence on the convention.”

He enjoined members of the committee to remain resolute and dedicated to their assignment with a spirit of teamwork.

The chairman urged them to take the interest of the party above personal and selfish interests for APC to remain strong and united as Nigeria’s leading political party.

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