Adamu, Omisore Emerge APC Chairman, Secretary

Senator Abdullahi Adamu early this morning emerged as the new National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congres (APC) after of months uncertainties that threatened the cohesiveness of the party. He will be in office till 2026 all things being equal.

President Muhammadu Buhari led over 7, 000 delegates including the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, self-styled national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, governors elected on the platform led by Atiku Bagudu and the leadership and members of the National Assembly, to Eagle Square, Abuja where the election took place.

Speaking at the event, President Buhari expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Governor Buni-led caretaker committee which he said grew the party from 11 million members to over 41.5 million in the 18 months it was in the saddle. He noted that the progress made so far confirmed that APC is the true Nigerian leading political party.

He further urged party members to take advantage of their numerical strength by participating in the ongoing voters’ registration exercise ahead of the 2023 polls.

Speaking further, Mr President warned the new leadership of the party to guide against the imposition of candidates ahead of the 2023 polls. He also frowned at the menace of money politics, stressing the need for the entrenchment of internal democracy in the party.

Buhari tasked the Adamu-led NWC to ensure that popular candidates are allowed to fly the party flag in the polls while expressing optimism that the newly signed Electoral Act would enhance the electioneering process in the country.

The President further charged party leaders not to indulge in backstabbing one another just as he thanked the Governor Abubakar Bagudu-led Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) for heeding his advice in resolving the leadership dispute that engulfed the party recently.

Welcoming delegates to the convention, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, who equally served as the party caretaker chairman, commended President Buhari, Vice-President Osinbajo, governors of the party and other leaders for their support to his committee in rescuing the party from destruction through several reconciliatory initiatives.

Buni cited the membership registration and revalidation exercise, which he said has swelled membership to 41million from 11million shortly before he took over. He assured those who defected from the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC including Governors Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Matawalle Bello of Zamfara State and Ben Ayade of Cross River State not to nurse any fear as they would triumph at the appellate court.

He called on aggrieved party stalwarts to bury their hatchets and work in concert towards ensuring the victory of the party in the oncoming general elections.

The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan while delivering his address noted that adversaries of the party who do not wish the party well could now bury their heads in shame with the successful conduct of the national convention.

Aside from Senator Adamu, others that emerged via consensus arrangement exposed by President Buhari include National Vice Chairman, North West, Aalihu Lukman; National Vice Chairman, South East, Ijeoma Arodiogbu; National Vice Chairman, South-South, Victor Giadom; National Vice Chairman, South West, D. I Kekemeke; and National Legal Adviser, Ahmed El-Marzuk.

Others are Uguru Matthew Fore (National Treasurer); Bashir Usman Gumeel (National Financial Secretary); Suleiman Argungu (National Organising Secretary); Betta Edu (National Woman Leader); Abdullahi Dayo Isreal (National Youth Leader); Tolu Bankole (Special Person With Disability Leader); Ibrahim Salawu (Deputy National Leader); and Omoriege Osifo (Deputy National Treasurer). Mr Emmanuel Eneukwu emerged as Deputy National Chairman, South, among others.