Crisis Brews In APC Over Election Of New National Officers

A crisis may be brewing in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following the election of individuals to fill vacant positions in the National Working Committee (NWC) and the zonal leadership of the party.

The party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, during a media briefing, disclosed the outcome of the NWC meeting held at the APC National Secretariat and the election of the new officials.

The new officials: Ali Bukar Dalori (Borno State) will serve as deputy national chairman, North (North East Zone) to replace the Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, while Garba Datti Muhammad (Kaduna State), will replace Salihu Moh Lukman, as national vice chairman, North West (North West).

Ajibola disclosed that the NWC settled for Abdul Karim Abubakar Kana (Nasarawa State) (North Central Zone) for the position of national legal adviser as a replacement for his resigned predecessor.

He also announced Donatus Nwankpa (Abia State) as the new national welfare secretary (South East Zone) to replace the late Friday Nwosu and Mary Alile Idele from Edo State, emerged as national women leader (South-South).

The ruling party equally settled for Duro Meseko (Kogi State) as deputy national publicity secretary (North Central Zone) to replace Yakubu Ajaka, just as Ikani Shuaibu Okolo (Kogi State) takes the position of zonal organizing secretary (North Central).

However, the announcement of the elected officers from Abia, Kogi, and Cross River States may throw the party into an unwanted crisis.

According to Daily Sun, party leaders and chieftains like the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Beta Edu, who had earlier recommended Dr Stella Odey-Ekpo, allegedly lost to the candidate of Adams Oshiomhole.

Also, the candidate of Governor Yahaya Bello lost to the candidate of James Faleke for the position of deputy national publicity secretary.

For Abia State, it was equally alleged that the candidates recommended by both the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and the State Chairman, Ikechi Emenike, both lost to the candidate of Governor Hope Uzodimma.

It was gathered that due to the outcome, the former woman leader, Edu, stormed the national secretariat around 6.20 pm to protest the dropping of her candidate, who had already practically resumed office.