APC Governors Responds To Alleged Plan To Shift Convention Again | DETAILS
The Progressives Governors Forum have insisted that the national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), will hold on March 26 despite the election timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The forum’s chairman, Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State, made this known to State House correspondents on Tuesday in Abuja, after he led some APC governors to a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly before the President departed for Nairobi, Kenya.
He debunked speculations that the party would shift the convention because of the release of 2023 election dates by INEC. This was as there were speculations that a section of the party was pushing for the postponement of the national convention to ensure that the election of party national executives and primaries hold on the same day.
He said, “Last week, we were in this hall (Villa Briefing Room), about 20 APC governors, and this question came up, and we clearly said we came to discuss the national convention, which is slated for March 26 and are working hard to ensure that on March 26, we have our convention and elect our national officers and that remains the case.”
The Kebbi State Governor also debunked notions that the governors are still divided over the party’s direction regarding zoning and chairmanship.
“There is no altercation. As a body, the 22 governors of the APC are united behind the party and Mr President,” he said.
Bagudu opined that amongst other purpose of their visit, the visit was also to congratulate the President for signing the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and the APC’s victory in some of the bye-elections conducted last weekend.
The Kebbi State Governor maintained that the Progressive Governors Forum are united irrespective of their differences over the party’s direction regarding zoning and chairmanship after what appeared to be a heated disagreement among them as they emerged from the meeting with the President.
According to him, “There’s no altercation, I’m not aware of any. Mallam Nasiru (Kaduna State governor), again last week, answered that look, if by altercation people are talking about differences of opinion before a decision is arrived at, then maybe, that is what people can…but as a body, the 22 governors of APC are united behind the party and Mr President.”
