Connect with us

News

APC Convention: President Buhari Advises On Consensus

Published

4 years ago

on

President Muhammad Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari met members of the Progressives Governors Forum (governors of the All Progressives Congress) on Tuesday in Abuja.

Their chairman, Kebbi State’s Gov. Atiku Bagudu, said the president advised that the party should explore the option of consensus while electing its officials at the forthcoming national convention.

He told newsmen that consensus had worked for the APC in the past as many chairmen of the party emerged through that process.

“We have produced a number of national chairmen by consensus.

25 Year Old House Wife Stabs Rival To Death Over Sex Turn

“Bisi Akande emerged as the pioneer chairman of the APC through consensus, John Oyegun emerged by consensus, Adams Oshiomhole emerged by consensus; the president reminded us of that.

“President Buhari is a believer in consensus as one of the options of producing leaders and he urged us to explore consensus.

“While recognising that many people who have indicated interest are competent, only one person will occupy the office at the end of the day.

“Consensus is part of our Constitution and he urged us to work towards consensus.

“The governors have also been working to ensure that as part of equitable arrangement, zoning and consensus are incorporated.

“We have done that at the lower levels, and even at the national level; it’s almost certain that we will achieve it,’’ Bagudu said.

The forum chairman added that the governors used the opportunity to formally inform the president of the new date of March 26, set aside for the party’s national convention.

Advert

“Today, the governors informed Mr President that we have had the briefing from the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Committee and we are supportive of its position,’’ he added.

On the forthcoming APC zonal congresses, Bagudu dismissed insinuations that such arrangement was not in the APC Constitution.

He equally dismissed insinuations that APC governors were divided over the party’s forthcoming national convention.

“The 22 governors of the APC are united. We are in total support of Mr President. We are appreciative of his leadership; we commend him for his leadership.

“We are appreciative of the sacrifice of the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee. And we thank them for successes recorded under it,’’ he said.

Also commenting on the issue of division among the governors over the convention, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State noted that the governors were earlier divided on the issue of date for the convention.

He said, however, that the new date of March 26 brought them all to the same page.

“We were divided over the timing of the convention. Some governors felt we should not have the convention until we have resolved all the congresses issues in some states because in some of the states, these matters are even in court.

“Some governors held the view that we should wait until all these are resolved and that was not borne out of any agenda or selfish interest.

“It was just a realistic position to avoid violating any laws or putting our party structures or elected candidates in jeopardy.

“After our meeting on Monday to deliberate on the proposal by the national caretaker committee and our briefing with the president today, we are all on the same page,’’ he stressed.

He also revealed that the APC had resolved the zoning formula to be used for national offices of the party.

“We have agreed on a zoning formula for all the six geo-political zones and essentially we swapped positions, such that now northern zone will take positions that the southern zone had in the last eight years and vice-versa.

“It is a very simple, equitable and fair formula. We will now go back and consult at the zonal level and look at the positions that are available and the process of preparing for the convention will start in earnest,’’ el-Rufai said.

Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau, who also fielded questions from newsmen, noted that the APC would outlive the tenure of President Buhari and will return to power in 2023.

“As far as we’re concerned and based on assessment, and based on what the Federal Government is doing tremendously, there is every hope that this party, this government will move beyond our president,’’ he said. (NAN)

Related Topics:

News

ADC Reports Surge in Membership Following Kwankwaso’s Defection, Calls Him ‘Game Changer’

Published

6 hours ago

on

March 30, 2026

By

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially welcomed former Kano State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso into its fold, touting his defection as a pivotal move that strengthens a growing coalition for political realignment in Nigeria.

In a statement released for immediate effect, the party described Kwankwaso as a “game-changer,” announcing that he has directed his network of supporters nationwide to join the ADC. According to the party, this call has already triggered a significant uptick in registrations on its online platform over the past 24 hours.

The ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, framed the defection as part of a broader recognition among Nigerians of the need for a credible political alternative. The statement emphasized Kwankwaso’s experience in governance, grassroots influence, and capacity to unify as assets to the party’s ambition to “rebuild Nigeria.”

Advert

Notably, the ADC highlighted the presence of several high-profile leaders at the defection event, including the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark; National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; and leading presidential aspirants such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Peter Obi, and Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi. Their attendance, the party stated, reflects a united front and growing momentum.

The party characterized the surge in online registrations as evidence that Nigerians are aligning with what it called a “different path forward.” In its appeal to Kwankwaso’s supporters and the broader public, the ADC positioned itself as a vehicle for restoring dignity, opportunity, and public trust in governance.

“Change does not happen by chance,” the statement concluded. “It happens when people come together with purpose.”

The development marks a significant realignment in Nigeria’s opposition political landscape, with the ADC seeking to position itself as a converging point for influential politicians and their followings ahead of future elections.

Continue Reading

News

Foreign Affairs Minister Resigns to Pursue Bauchi Governorship Election

Published

7 hours ago

on

March 30, 2026

By

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, has resigned from his position in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pursue the governorship of Bauchi State in the 2027 election.

Tuggar submitted his resignation on Monday, in compliance with a presidential directive requiring all political appointees with electoral ambitions to vacate their posts by the March 31, 2026, deadline.

The directive, issued through the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, aligns with Section 88(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It affects ministers, advisers, and heads of federal agencies intending to contest in the 2027 general elections.

Advert

Reports have it that his resignation positions him to seek the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Bauchi State gubernatorial race.

Tuggar’s entry is expected to significantly reshape the state’s political landscape, intensifying an already competitive contest for the APC nomination. His background as a career diplomat and serving minister is seen by political observers as a potential advantage, offering national visibility and extensive political networks.

With less than 24 hours remaining before the deadline, additional resignations from the Federal Executive Council are anticipated as other appointees move to formalize their electoral ambitions.

Continue Reading

News

Kwankwaso Officially Joins ADC

Published

11 hours ago

on

March 30, 2026

By

 

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party and ex-Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, has officially joined the African Democratic Congress.

The former Minister of Defence also registered with the party and received his membership card on Monday at Gidan Kwankwasiyya, Miller Road, Bompai, Kano.

Advert

Present at the event include ADC National Chairman and former Senate President, David Mark; former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal; former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; Senator Dino Melaye; and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, John Odigie-Oyegun, among others.

Continue Reading

Trending