The governing All Progressives Congress (APC) is hosting its much-anticipated National Convention today in Abuja’s Eagle Square to elect leaders to handle the party’s operations and lead it into the 2023 general elections.
However, there appears to be division within the party on the consensus choice for elected seats prior of the event. This is due to the fact that a number of important members have indicated opposition to the consensus option, which is claimed to have the president’s support.
The party’s Chairman of the National Convention Media and Publicity Sub-committee, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, said on Friday that the unity list will be released shortly.
This came after extensive discussions with party leaders, with governors apparently opposing the list.
“From what we have from the regions, the unity list will be available today,” Sule stated at a news conference (Friday). It will be turned in. If you’re talking about consensus, you’ll need a unity list, because that’s what it’s all about.
“If there is unanimity, you will have individuals who agree, candidates who agree, stakeholders who agree, and the constituency who agree, and in that case, the name would be accepted automatically.” That is precisely the intent of the unity list.”
Nonetheless, this contradicted his earlier statement on Channels Television Politics Today, in which he mentioned Abdullahi Adamu, a former governor of Nasarawa State, as the consensus candidate for the position of national chairman.
“Yes, he is our consensus candidate,” Sule stated in response to a query on Adamu’s adoption, adding that the President has given his approval for Adamu to lead the party.
“Only a single candidate would contend for each of the slots,” he stated of the unity list.
However, in a statement released on Friday by the Director-General of the Saliu Mustapha Campaign Organization, Bala Usman, one of the contenders for the post of National Chairman, Mustapha, stated that he was still in the race.
“Our campaign organization has received numerous calls from multitudes of party stakeholders, friends and associates regarding the upcoming convention of our party and Saliu Mustapha’s decision as an aspirant, especially in relation to the unraveling issue of a possible consensus arrangement,” the statement said.
“Indeed, we acknowledge consensus as one of the APC’s authorized leadership selection processes, which is fully legitimate and constitutional.” We are persuaded, however, that in order for agreement to hold, it must be all-inclusive and free of any imposition.
“As a result, Mallam Saliu Mustapha, along with all the other aspirants, will continue to participate in discussions to assess the choices available to them and come to a mutually advantageous conclusion.” Nothing has been decided until this is completed.”
According to reports, the APC Governors were allegedly involved in tense deliberations over the consensus option during a meeting on Friday that lasted far into the night.
According to reports from the Eagle Square location, the auditorium is already packed with politicians campaigning for various posts within the Ecco and even for elections.
Various sorts of banners and posters endorsing the politicians are carefully placed throughout the site, with supporters carrying some around with them.
