Politics

APC Crisis: Discontent Over Tinubu, NEC Confirmation Of Same-faith Appointments

Published

2 years ago

August 4, 2023

The decision of the National Executive Committee NEC of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC to appoint a same-faith National Chairman and National Secretary for the party on Thursday was met with a wave of discontent, as some chieftains of the party described the action as “terribly insensitive”.

Wednesday’s night meeting of the National Caucus of the party had recommended the immediate-past Governor of Kano state, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje for the office of National Chairman, and spokesperson of the 9th Senate, Ajibola Basiru as National Secretary.

Their nominations followed the recent forced resignation of the erstwhile National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

Two officials of the party who spoke to Vanguard off the records said while the development could not be immediately reversed, it must be on record that the APC has now yielded itself to a particular religion.

“We know what we went through with the Tinubu/Shettima Muslim-Muslim ticket. As if that was not enough, we were on the verge of producing a Muslim Senate President until many of us protested. That said, we still have a Muslim Speaker.

“We did not force Adamu out only to be replaced by another Muslim. If you read the statements of the former National Vice Chairman, Northwest, Salihu Moh. Lukman one of his consistent demands was that Adamu be replaced with a Christian from the North Central.

“Now, you did not do that but went ahead to even distort the zoning formula by taking that office to the North West.

“And to add salt to injury, the new National Secretary is also a Muslim. These are the two main people who run the party. There should be religious sensitivity”, he stated.

At its 12th meeting in Abuja on Thursday, the APC NEC mandated the National Working Committee NWC to consult with all relevant stakeholders, evolve an acceptable zoning formula and fill other vacant positions within its fold.

Some of the vacancies the NWC was mandated to fill include Deputy National Chairman, North, National Woman Leader and National Legal Adviser. The office of the National Vice Chairman, Northwest, was not listed as Vanguard had earlier reported that the NWC was yet to accept the resignation of the occupant, Salihu Moh. Lukman.

Vanguard gathered that the National Legal Adviser of the party, Ahmed El-Marzuk had resigned from the party’s NWC earlier in the week but kept his resignation under wraps.

It was learned that he resigned his appointment following insistence by some of his colleagues that he could no longer be in office due to some grave allegations against him which had prompted his interrogation by one of the anti-graft agencies.

However, a man who identified himself as “Special Adviser to the National Legal Adviser”, AbdulHalim Adamu in a statement said his principal resigned to allow for the ongoing “reconfiguration of Party offices for national cohesion and adequate regional representation”.

He said; “In light of the recent developments within our great Party the All Progressives Congress APC, with the emergence of His Excellency, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Senator Ajibola Basiru as National Chairman and National Secretary and the reconfiguration of Party offices for national cohesion and adequate regional representation, the National Legal Adviser found it pertinent that he resigns his position within the Party to allow for a smooth reconfiguration of the party’s leadership”.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio had at the commencement of the meeting moved a motion for an amendment of the agenda to empower the NWC to make realignments and take care of some vacancies, but was roundly rejected with shouts of “No, No”.
VANGUARD

Politics

Any Politician Promising Single Term Needs Psychiatric Test – Soludo

Published

8 hours ago

August 2, 2025

Editor

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has slammed politicians promising to serve only one term in office.

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria said any politician pledging to serve only one term in office needs to undergo a psychiatric test.

Soludo stated this on Saturday during a political rally held in Anambra South in support of his second-term ambition.

The governor questioned the logic behind such a promise, insisting that the Nigerian Constitution allows elected public officials to serve two terms, not just one.

“How can anybody with a functioning brain say that? Do you think you’re speaking to fools?

“You come to people and say you will do only one term, any politician who says that must be sent to a psychiatric home because the person must have some mental problem,” Soludo said.

This is coming a month after Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State called for a single-term tenure of six years.

Also, former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, said he is willing to accept a one-term presidency in the spirit of equity and zoning.

He stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on Sunday, July 6.

The former Governor of Anambra State said four years is enough for any serious and sincere leader to make an impact.

He said, “One term is enough to establish that good governance is possible, and if they can impact negatively on us for just two years, why won’t someone achieve a lot in four years?

“It’s also to respect the gentleman’s agreement of zoning, which has been a stabilising factor even though it’s not in our constitution.

“I don’t need a day more than four years. I will show the direction of good governance. In two years, there has been maximum damage.

“Two years can change it in a good direction. People want to get up and see a president who cares and shows compassion.”

Politics

PDP Has Been Bought By APC – Dino Melaye

Published

1 day ago

August 1, 2025

Editor

Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been “purchased” by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Melaye made the allegation while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday night, a day after submitting his resignation letter to PDP.

According to him, the opposition party receives dates for its National Executive Committee, NEC, meetings directly from the Presidential Villa.

“PDP has been purchased by the APC. The PDP is a parastatal of the APC. In fact, they take dates for NEC meetings and NWC from Aso Villa. Look at these PDP governors, are they acting as opposition? And you know how powerful governors are,” Melaye said

Politics

Drama As Ebonyi Politician Declares Self ADC National VC South-East

Published

1 day ago

August 1, 2025

Editor

The National Convener of Turn By Turn Initiatives, Ben Nworie has declared himself the Interim National Vice Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC South East zone.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja on Friday, Nworie noted that the south east zone needs a vocal and vibrant politician who would advance the fortunes of the coalition movement in the zone.

Also, an Abia born media expert, Obinna George, emerged as the South East zonal Publicity Secretary of the ADC.

Mr Obinna George is expected to deploy his media expertise in propagating the activities of ADC in the zone.

Nworie said his decision to become the Interim National Vice chairman was to galvanise support of the people of the zone to join the political revolution for a prosperous nat

According to him; “my burning desire to become the Interim National Vice Chairman of the African Democratic Party, South east zone is to galvanise. Supports for our great party in the zone. ADC is not just a coalition but a political revolution that will end the decade of misrule by the present government”.

“ADC stands a better opportunity to rescue Nigeria from the present economic hardship and forge a common front towards advancing the future of a new Nigeria. Let me state categorically that coalition brought the present government to power and the same coalition will sack it out of power’.

“I want to urge the people of south east to embrace ADC as the only veritable platform that will address decades of marginalization, depression and neglect. It is time for us to speak in one voice and support the movement. It is time for the South east zone to stand up to be counted as the movers and shakers of the coalition”.

“As the National Vice Chairman of ADC, I accept the responsibilty to lead our dear party in the zone and I want to declare that our coalition is open to every Nigerian who is passionate to change the old order into a new order, where all the critical sectors will be functional”.

“I commend our Interim National Chairman of ADC, Senator David Mark; Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and indeed all other national leaders who are sacrificing a lot to ensure that Nigeria is liberated from the shackles of poverty, which has become our fair share of national cake”.

“I want to thank all our members across the five states of the south east for your resilience, deep commitment and sacrifices in promoting and galvanising support for our party”.

The National Vice Chairman further appealed to all aggrieved members of the party to withdraw all litigations for the over all interest of the Nigerian People whose only hope for a better nation is rested on ADC.