Politics

APC Crisis: Why Akpanudoedehe’s Sack May Fall Through

Published

3 years ago

March 19, 2022

On Thursday, March 17, 2020, Gov. Abubakar Sani Bello’s tendency in the All Progressives Congress APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee announced the sack of the CECPC National Secretary, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe.

Relying on Article 27 (v & vi) of the party constitution, the Bello-led CECPC passed a no-confidence vote on the party scribe.

The said section of the constitution states; “Subject to ratification by the National Convention or Congress an Officer shall be relieved of his post at any time if a vote of ‘No Confidence’ is passed on him by two-thirds of members of the relevant Party organ.

“Pursuant to this Constitution, where a vote of ‘No Confidence’ has been passed on an Officer, the relevant Party organ shall appoint another person to act in his place pending ratification by the National Convention or Congress”.

Spokesman of the Bello-led CECPC, Barr. Ismae’el Ahmed also told Vanguard that the notice for Akpanudoedehe’s sack was arrived at on March 8 by a majority of the members of the committee who passed a vote of no confidence on Senator Akpanudoedehe.

The said notice was signed by 10 of the 12 members of the committee including Senator Ken Nnamani, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, Senator Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf, Prof Tahir Mamman, Senator Abba Alli, Chief David Lyon, Hon Akinremi Olaide, Mrs Stella Okotete, Barr Ismaeel Ahmed and Dr James Lalu. The other two members who did not sign were Gov. Buni and Sen. Akpanudoedehe himself who were not at the meeting.

Thereafter, on Thursday to be precise, Gov. Buni issued a statement affirming all actions of Gov. Bello while he (Buni) was away. He did not say whether his affirmation included the sack of Senator Akpanudoedehe.

There are however salient issues that may invalidate the said sack of the party scribe, even as the decision could put the March 26 national convention in jeopardy.

The first point is that the CECPC may not have the powers to sack any of its members, as a committee cannot sack its member. Only an organ of the party can do that, subject to ratification by the national convention.

The CECPC is an ad hoc committee, not an organ of the party. It is also not a standing committee.

The organs of the party are listed in the APC Constitution. The CECPC is not a National Working Committee NWC and so, may not be able to sack any of its members.

Article 12 of the APC constitution which deals with the “Composition of Party Organs”, listed the organs as the National Convention, National Working Committee NWC, National Caucus, Zonal Congress, Zonal Executive Committee, State Congress, State Executive Committee, State Caucus, State Working Committee and Senatorial District Committee.

Other organs according to the party constitution are the Local Government Area/Area Council Congress, Local Government Area/Area Council Caucus and the Board of Trustees BoT which will now be replaced by the National Advisory Council if the March 26 Convention ratifies the party’s now amended constitution.

So, not being an organ of the party, the CECPC may not be able to draw powers from Article 27 (v & vi) of the APC Constitution.

The CECPC is a creation of the National Executive Committee NEC, even as the National Chairman and Secretary were named by NEC.

For any party to ratify such a change through its NEC, the party would have to again issue a 21-day notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.

Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) requires ‘at least 21 days’ notice for any convention, congress, conference, or meeting convened for the purpose of ‘merger’ and electing members of the executive committees, other governing bodies of political parties.

Currently, only Buni and Akpanudoedehe are known to INEC as Chairman and Secretary respectively.

Sack, contrary to Buhari’s directives

The sack of the party scribe so runs contrary to the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari for all parties to the dispute to maintain the “status quo ante”.

Buhari had in a letter dated March 16 and addressed to the Chairman, Progressive Governors’ Forum PGF and Kebbi state Governor, Abubakar Atiku, said the APC is faced with a multiplicity of court cases pending against it in various courts across the country.

In addition, it has come to my attention that, because of recent events, and that as a result, it faces the possibility and prospect of the invalidation of all its activities and actions by INEC.

The letter was copied by the acting CECPC Chairman, Gov. Sani Bello, Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, Director General State Services, Yusuf Magaji Bichi and the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba.

According to the president, “the party has demonstrated its inability to proceed with the issue of effecting change in the leadership of its Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Committee CECPC, in a way that is inclusive, legal and respectful of the time limit set and required for giving the INEC sufficient notice of the time and venue for holding its convention”.

He said apart from the development capable of leading to a possible nonrecognition of its activities, elections and the probable invalidation of all its other actions by INEC, it may ultimately even lead to its implosion and non-existence.

Asking the party to, as much as possible, avoid all controversies, litigation and all other necessary distractions and quickly get its acts together, the president directed this:

“First, the issue of the leadership of the Caretaker Extra Ordinary Convention Committee (CECPC), should immediately return to status quo ante;

“Second, all members of the Governors’ Forum and their followers should desist from any behaviour or utterance that will likely lead to disunity in the ranks of the party, and ultimately jeopardise the transition to the convention;

“Third, the Mai Mala Buni-led CECPC should, accordingly, be allowed to proceed with all necessary preparations to hold the convention as planned— unfailingly, on 26th March, 2022”.

Ultimately, the gladiators in the ruling party may have to sit down and draw up a political solution to this crisis of leadership in a manner that may not be detrimental to its scheduled national convention.

VANGUARD

Politics

Choice Of Dennis Idahosa As Deputy Gave Us Victory- Okpebholo

Published

1 day ago

July 29, 2025

Editor

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo state has said that his victory in the 2024 governorship election could be, to a greater extent, attributed to his choice of Dennis Idahosa as his deputy.

Okpebholo, who described his deputy governor as his brother, said, “I won because I made the right choice in him.”

The governor made the declaration while receiving a number of defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at Okada, the administrative headquarters of Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement endorsed Friday Aghedo, the Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Okpebholo was quoted to have reiterated that he had enjoyed a cordial working relationship with his deputy and assured that they would continue in the same stead for the good of the people.

“We are working well together. I wouldn’t have won the election if I had chosen another person as deputy,” Governor Okpebholo reiterated.

Okpebholo reistated his administration’s commitment to the people of Edo State and its indigenous roots, which he said was the reason he must do his best for the people.

According to him, “Why are we working for Edo people? We are working for Edo because we are confirmed sons of the soil. We are not foreigners. We were not borrowed from somewhere else.

“My mother is an Esan woman. My father is an Esan man. I grew up there. My deputy, the same Edo. So, if we are from here, we must work for our people.”

He highlighted his government’s continuous developmental projects as evidence of its dedication, contrasting it with what he described as the “pattern of the immediate-past government” which waited until election periods to roll out projects.

“That is why you see us move from executing one project to another. We do not wait until election period before we roll out projects. We do not believe that we can develop in that manner.” The governor emphasised.

This was just as he expressed his confidence in delivering on his promise of 2.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating, “I can see it coming to reality today.”

He assured the people that his administration’s performance would soon earn their appreciation.

“By the time we are three years old as a government, I know people will sit down and thank God. You will thank God for giving us the opportunity to serve.”

Addressing the issue of the by-election in Ovia Federal Constituency, Governor Okpebholo told the crowd, “In the next few days, I will be coming back here for a campaign to let our people know that the choice for Ovia Federal Constituency is the right choice for the people.”

He also humorously referred to the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, as “Mr. Projects,” and introduced the House of Representatives candidate in the 16 August by-election, Omosede Igbinedion, as “madam projects”.

Among the prominent defectors welcomed into the APC were Hon. Andrew Edobor Uzamere, the sitting member representing Ovia North Constituency II in the Edo State House of Assembly; Hon. Peter Ekhator, a former council chairman; Hon. Uwaifo; Hon. Christopher Igodalo; and their numerous followers.

Other speakers at the event, including deputy governor Dennis Idahosa and the State APC Chairman Jarrett Tenebe, praised Governor Okpebholo’s performance, which they said was the primary reason many were joining the party.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Hon. Andrew Uzamere and Hon. Peter Ekhator expressed their happiness and pledged their commitment to working with the APC political family.

The event was well-attended by key party stakeholders, including the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku; other House of Assembly members; Chief of Staff to the Edo State Governor, Hon. Ganiyu Audu; Senator Mathew Uroghide, and former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Imasuen.

Politics

By-elections: Edo APC Tackles PDP Over Call For REC, Others Redeployment

Published

1 day ago

July 29, 2025

Editor

Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has reacted to the call by the state PDP for the redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Anugbum Onuaha, and electoral officers ahead of the by-elections for Edo Central Senatorial District; and Ovia Federal House of Representatives Constituency.

The PDP had earlier called for the urgent redeployment of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Anugbum Onuaha, and electoral officers previously assigned to key local government areas, citing concerns over their credibility and impartiality.

But reacting to the call in a statement made available to INFO DAILY Tuesday night, state chairman of the APC, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, said the call was a clear indication that the PDP was not ready for the August 16, 2025 by-elections.

According to Tenebe, the opponent “fear is caused by the unprecedented achievements that His Excellency, Governor Monday Okpebholo has recorded in just eight months.”

The APC chairman,while noting that “on August 16, 2025, the APC is determined to prove to our leader—President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that the 2.5million votes Edo State people promised him is possible,” added: “Governor Okpebholo’s achievements has led thousands of politicians out of the PDP and in fact, we have torn the umbrella into shreds and the reality is that, in this coming election, and that of 2027, Edo people have made up their minds to vote massively for our party, the APC.

“As of today, no other political party exists in the state, except the APC. Governor Okpebholo’s achievements since his assumption, have attracted many PDP members with good conscience to join us in our drive to give the state all round development.

“The APC administration at both Federal and State levels have initiated lifesaving projects, and still doing more to improve the standards of living. The long abandoned roads, schools, hospitals and other infrastructures are receiving attention. There is also a marked improvement in security in our dear Edo State as a result of Governor Okpebholo’s re-engineering of the security architecture.

“The administration has also embarked on massive recruitment of teachers to train pupils and students in our public schools. So, come August 16, Edo people will troop out en masse to vote for our candidates—Hon. Joe Ikpea and Hon. Omosede Igbinedion who we have presented for the vacant Senate and Federal House of Representatives seats.”

Politics

JUST IN: SDP Expels El-Rufai, Bans Ex-Gov For 30 Years

Published

3 days ago

July 28, 2025

Editor

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been expelled from the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

Announcing his expulsion from the party, SDP also imposed a 30-year ban on El-Rufai.

SDP’s National Working Committee, NWC, said the action was in line with the party’s constitution, ideology, manifesto, principles, and practices, as well as in consonance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act pertaining to the exclusive right of a political party to determine its membership.

A statement by the party’s spokesman, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, warned members against associating with El-Rufai and those who don’t represent its interest.

Parts of the statement read: “El-Rufai is hereby banished and banned from applying for membership, identifying with the name, insignia, logo, symbol, mark, or any activities, organs, agencies, and institutions of the SDP or donating to, supporting, contributing to, or participating in any affairs of the SDP for a period of 30 years effective from today.”

It would be recalled that El-Rufai joined the SDP after quiting the All Progressives Congress, APC.

However, El-Rufai is also a key member of the opposition coalition which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress, ADC, as its platform ahead of the 2027 election.