Oshiomhole performs first official duty, swears in other national excos
In what seemed like a reversal of earlier decision to swear-in other national executive committee members of the APC at a later date, the new National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, has performed his first official duty.
He swore-in other new national executives as required of him by the APC constitution.
With the execution of Oshiomhole’s first duty, APC’s new national leadership has now been activated.
The new executives are expected to serve the party until 2022.
Malami administers oaths of allegiance, office to new National Secretary, Buni
The Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has administered the oaths of allegiance and office to the new National Secretary of the APC, Mai Mala Buni, as stipulated by the party’s constitution.
The oath-taking process was followed by a short signing ceremony.
APC dissolves Oyegun-led national excos
Following the announcement of results of the elections to pick new leaders for the APC, the outgoing national executives of the party has been duly dissolved.
In line with the constitution of the party, their dissolution was sequel to the motion moved by Hon. Bala Ibrahim (Jigawa), and seconded by Mark Uchendu (Imo).
Subsequently, under the moderation of Senator Ndoma Egba, delegates voted verbally for the dissolution of the Oyegun-led party officials.
Egba is the Secretary of the convention planning committee.
Senator Masi speaks on state of women under Buhari’s govt, demands greater inclusion
The Senator representing Adamawa North district in the National Assembly, Binta Masi Garba, spoke on the state of women under the APC-led govt of President Buhari.
She reiterated that Nigerian women were behind the President since 2015 and will continue to remain with him come 2019 elections.
Masi noted that more Nigerian women are happy with President Buhari because of the elaborate empowerment programmes of the present administration which has helped thousands of women escape extreme poverty.
She said the school feeding programme of the federal government has excited thousands of women as more children of indigent women have been enrolled for basic education.
The Senator, who literally said the economy and education sectors suffered diarrhea before President Buhari came on board, said the light rains that fell during the convention were signs of divine approval of the party.
She advocated for greater women inclusion in government; saying, “Like Oliver Twist, Nigerian women will continue to ask for more. We need more women in government at all levels. We need more in the Parliament, in the local governments, in the state executive, and in the federal executive.”
Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo wows delegates with breath-taking speech
11:04am: Nollywood actor, Kenneth Okonkwo, took to the podium to address delegates.
He spoke on the execution of the convention, the disappointment of the opposition parties, the subconscious meanings symbolised by of the elements of the APC logo, the internal democracy and freedom of the press the party has guaranteed by its constitution and demonstrated to Nigerians. He also spoke on the recognition of the blood MKO Abiola shed for democracy in Nigeria.
“We are the only party that recognized the sacrifice, the late MKO Abiola paid for the democracy we enjoy today which the opposition, for 16 years failed to recognise.
“With the recognition of that sacrifice, we have been able to attract the blessings of the blood he shed for our democracy. Failure to recognise that sacrifice had been a curse to this nation,” he said.
In ending his speech, Okonkwo stirred enthusiasm within the heart of Southeast delegates by charging them-up in his native Igbo language.
Day two proceedings commence with Buhari’s arrival
President Buhari arrived the Eagle Square on Sunday at 10:15am. His arrival marked the commencement of Day Two proceedings of the convention.
Shortly after, Governor Badaru Abubakar informed delegates that the comprehensive results of elections would be ready in about half an hour.
Meantime, representatives of Southeast APC (women wing), APC UK, and Northern APC have assured President Buhari that they would double efforts to see him re-elected.
The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is holding her sophomore National Convention today in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
The convention is an elective kind that will feature the election of new leaders to run the affairs of party for the next four years in line with its constitution.
Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is a leading contender for the National Chairmanship position. While, Abdulmumin Abiola, son of the late MKO Abiola, is a top runner for the National Youth Leader position.
As at 11:30am, DAILY POST observed and reports that adequate security arrangements are in place within and around the Eagle Square venue of the convention.
Activities are yet to pick up in full speed owing to light drizzly rains. Notwithstanding, delegates have been arriving and taking their seats. Senator Ovie Omo-Agege is one of the prominent personalities to arrive early.
DAILY POST is currently live at the convention ground and would bring you live updates.
Senator Ajayi Borrofice speaks on expected impact of the convention
The lawmaker representing Ondo North Senatorial District, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, has stated that the convention will foster a closer relationship among party members.
This, he said, will position the party to deliver more dividend of democracy to the people.
“After this convention, we are going to have a bond again in the APC that will begin to work for the people to such an extent that it will begin to deliver dividend of democracy to the people. That is what we are looking for,” he told newsmen at the convention ground.
Buhari expected at convention ground by 2:30pm
DAILY POST reliably gathers that the President, Muhammadu Buhari, who was initially expected at the venue at 1:00pm, will now be arriving between 2:00pm – 2:30pm due to the rains. His arrival will herald the commencement of the convention.
65 party positions are expected to be filled after the election. However, 20 positions have unopposed candidates while, 45 will be contested.
Hajia Salamatu Baiwa denies stepping down for incumbent National Women Leader
Hajia Salamatu Baiwa has refuted reports that she has stepped down for Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, the incumbent APC National Women Leader.
A terse statement by her media office Saturday afternoon, appealed to Nigerians to ignore “the speculations”.
“It has come to our notice that lies are being peddled about Hajia Salamatu Baiwa.
“This is to inform our esteem supporters that we are still in the race and by the grace of God, victory shall be ours”, it read.
Osinbajo, Oshiomole others storm Eagles Square, Buhari, Odigie-Oyegun yet to arrive
At 2:30pm, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Bukola Saraki, several ministers, governors, senators, and other top government functionaries from the APC are already at the convention venue.
They are moving round the stands, greeting delegates, politicking, and canvassing support for their preferred candidates.
President Buhari and the outgoing party chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, are yet to arrive.
So far, the air around the Eagles Square is organised yet lively. Some observers have described it as a carnival of a sort as state delegates display their local cultures and ‘aso-ebi’ attires.
Convention begins as Buhari, Oyegun finally arrive Eagles Square – 3:00 – 30pm
The APC National Convention has commenced in top speed following the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari and the outgoing chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun.
All dignitaries are recognised and seated.
Badaru delivers opening remarks, warns delegates against indiscipline
Governor of Jigawa State and Chairman of the convention committee, Badaru Mohammed, has delivered the opening remarks/welcome address.
Badaru, who delivered his opening remarks shortly after the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari and the outgoing chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, said the convention was not only to elect new leaders but for members to fraternize ahead of the general election in 2019.
He urged delegate to conduct themselves properly in line with the tenets of discipline and internal democracy.
“I urge delegates to conduct themselves in line with the party’s principles of discipline and internal democracy as the convention has attracted global attention.
“Let us give Nigerians a taste of what to expect in the coming general elections,” he told party members.
Oyegun addresses delegates, speaks on state of the Party
Outgoing National Chairman of the APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, has addressed delegates at the convention.
He said though naysayers thought the party was on the verge of implosion, the crowd at the convention shows the party is stronger and believes in its vision.
“There are divergent views but the essence (of the convention) is that the APC is a strong party that believes in its vision and that of the President,” he said.
Oyegun further thanked the founding fathers and all members of the party for the support given him.
He noted that as “phase one of the party is over, phase two begins.”
He further wished his successor well in piloting the affairs of the Party in the next phase.
Buhari votes for new APC leaders
President Muhammadu Buhari casted his votes for new APC national leaders some minutes past 4pm.
Delegates from his state, Katsina, were the first to vote.
Buhari slotted in his votes at booth one of 10.
Meanwhile, the president has charged delegates to continue to keep faith with the party.
He told them to subjugate their personal interests for the party’s.
President Buhari also tasked aggrieved members to give peace a chance.
Imo, Delta delegates clash
Some delegates at the ongoing APC National Convention have engaged each other in a free for all.
Trouble started among delegates from Imo State before spreading to the Delta State delegates.
While the clash between delegates from Imo was brought under control by security operatives after a while, that between the Delta delegates was more intense.
Chairs were hurled and several people sustained injuries.
This occurred despite the heavy security presence at the venue.
Senator Marafa’s loyalists protest
The faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara state loyal to Senator Kabir Marafa, have protested their denial of entrance into the Eagle Square, venue of the party’s national elective convention.
Speaking with journalists outside the venue of the convention on Saturday, Muhammad Bello Bakyasuwas, said they fulfilled all the requirements for contesting for positions during the congresses which held in May but they are not recognised by the party.
His words: “We belong to the legitimate APC faction in Zamfara state. The APC faction under the state chairman, Alhaji Surajo Garba Mai Katako Gusau. We were elected in the parallel APC state congresses of 5th, 12th and 19th May 2018 in Zamfara state.
“We are here in Abuja to express our happiness, support and solidarity with our party over the national convention holding today to produce new national leaders for us.
“We are in Abuja to witness this convention as Zamfara state national convention delegates and supporters of senator Kabir Garba Marafa, CON, for Governor of Zamfara State in 2019 and also supporters of President Muhammed Buhari for second term in 2019.
“We are here with all our delegates and over one thousand supporters but we have been denied entry into the Eagle Square. So, we hereby appeal to our new national party leaders to be fair and recognize our faction as the legitimate APC leadership in Zamfara state.
“As you can see we are the majority but the security operatives stopped us from entering into the venue of the convention. Right now we don’t know where our chairman is.”
The faction’s spokesman said they would seek redress.
“We are dully and legitimate elected executives of APC in Zamfara state. They stopped us because some of our supporters were wearing T- shirts with the photograph of our leader, Senator Kabir Garba Marafa,” he said.
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