As predicted, congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in many states ended with parallel executive committees (excos) emerging on Saturday.
Two parallel state congresses of the party took place in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
While the faction loyal to the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, held its congress at the Banquet Hall opposite the Government House, another congress by a faction loyal to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, took place at Arca Santa Event Hall.
Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, APC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, Sen Shaaba Lafiaji and lawmakers representing the state at the National Assembly and House of Assembly were present at the congress held at the Banquet Hall.
Saraki, while speaking at the congress commended members of the party for the peaceful conduct of the ward and local government congresses.
He said most of the executive members at the wards and local government level were youths, adding that this was a sign of good things to come in 2019.
“In 2019, it will be a test for the youths to demonstrate their ability to take charge in the state,” he said.
Saraki, however, appealed to the delegates to comport themselves in an orderly and peaceful manner.
The party’s Chairman, Alhaji Ishola Balogun-Fulani, commended members for their conduct during the last two congresses of the party.
The congress held at Arca Santa Hall had Moshood Mustapha, a former Special Assistant to the Senate President on Special Duties and Inter-Parliamentary Affairs in attendance.
Alhaji Raheem Adedoyin, a former Commissioner for Information under the Saraki administration, was also in attendance.
Also present was a former Secretary to the State Government under the Saraki administration, Alhaji Ganiyu Cook-Olododo.
Executive members of the two factions emerged through consensus arrangement.
While delegates at the Banquet Hall still cast their votes inspite of the fact that the candidates had no opponents, those at the Arca Santa Hall only affirmed the return of candidates.
Alhaji Moshood Bolarinwa emerged the state chairman of the faction loyal to the minister while Mallam Abdullahi Samari was affirmed the deputy chairman.
Others were Alhaji Abdulganiyu Saka, Secretary; Abegunde Goge, Assistant Secretary; Rahmat Abolaji Women leader; and Samuel Isaac, Youth Leader.
Also included were Mr Olayemi Olabanji, Kwara South Senatorial Chairman; Sulyman Yahaya , Kwara Central Senatorial Chairman; and Raheem Usman, Kwara North Senatorial Chairman.
Kayode Oyin-Zubair emerged Publicity Secretary of the faction while Abiola Nasir was affirmed Financial Secretary, with Wahila Sakariyah becoming the Organising Secretary.
OYO
In a repeat of the May 13 parallel local government congresses in Oyo State, the state congress of the party also held in two locations in Ibadan on Saturday.
While Governor Abiola Ajimobi attended the congress held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, the Unity Forum of the party held its own at the Liberty Stadium.
Apart from Ajimobi, also present at the Lekan Salami Stadium were former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, Sen. Abdulfatai Buhari (APC-Oyo North), Hon. Olagunju Ojo, Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, and Sen. Teslim Folarin, a former Senate Leader.
Chief Moses Adeyemo, the Deputy Governor, and his predecessor, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja were, however, absent at the congress.
Chief Akin Oke, the APC Chairman in the state and several others were returned through consensus for another four-year term as party executives.
The exercise was conducted by the National Congress Committee led by Alhaji Abdullahi Gwarzo, a former deputy governor of Kano State, while INEC officials were present.
Gwarzo, who read the guidelines for the congress to members, urged them to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship.
He also stated that he was unaware of a parallel congress, urging aggrieved members to channel their petition through the party’s Appeal Committee.
Among those returned were Hon. Lekan Adeyemo(Deputy Chairman), Hon. Mojeed Olaoya(Secretary), Dr Azeez Olatunde(Publicity Secretary) and Mrs Mabel Williams, Women Leader.
But at the congress of the Unity Forum held at Liberty Stadium, the Minister of Communications, Chief Adebayo Shittu, said members must check the impunity that had characterised the running of the party’s affairs in the state.
He expressed concern over what he called the dictatorial attitude of a few persons running the party without any consideration for those that had worked for its success.
” It is in the course of our efforts to liberate the party from these individuals that we have brought this congress and we will continue to do the wishes of the people so as to bring sanity into the system,’’ he said.
The minister assured all party faithful to remain focused and steadfast, saying the interest of all members would prevail.
Among prominent members of the group apart from Shittu are Sen. Monsurat Sumonu representing Oyo Central and Adedapo Lam-Adesina as well as some federal and state lawmakers.
The 26 candidates for the state executive positions were elected unopposed by the 2,840 delegates across the 33 local government areas.
Chief Isiaka Alimi emerged as the State chairman while Remi Olalekan was elected the State Secretary.
Others were Olawale Osadare, Publicity Secretary; Victoria Adegbuyi, Women Leader and Babajide Alabi, Youth Leader.
In his acceptance speech, Alimi pledged to ensure internal democracy prevailed in the conduct of the party’s activities.
He solicited the cooperation of all members to ensure that the party wins all the state and national elections in 2019.
KOGI
Two executive councils also emerged in Kogi State following the holding of two parallel congresses by the two main factions of the party.
The two executives emerged by affirmation.
While the faction loyal to the state governor , Alhaji Yahaya Bello, held its own Congress at the Confluence Stadium, the Audu / Faleke faction held its own at St Peters Primary School, Felele, Lokoja.
At the Congress held at the Confluence Stadium , Mr Abdulahi Bello emerged as the state Chairman of the party, Mr Ibrahim Abdulrahman, Deputy Chairman and Mr Josiah Onoja , Secretary.
Bello was until now a Senior Special Assistant on political affairs to the state governor. Aside from Bello, Abdulrahman and Onoja, 34 other persons were elected by affirmation into various positions to make the state executive council of the party.
The congress was attended by Bello , his deputy. Mr Simon Achuba, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Mathew Kolawole, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs Folashade Ayoade, Commissioners, some members of the House of Representatives and members of the House of Assembly.
Alhaji Maman Ali Magaji , the Chairman of the state Congress Committee from the headquarters of the party conducted the Congress while the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. James Apam led other officials of the Independent National Electoral Commissioner to supervise it.
Bello, the new state Chairman in his acceptance speech promised to run an open door policy and lead the party to victory in the coming elections.
He also thanked the state governor , other members of his cabinet and delegates from the across the 21 local government areas of the state for their peaceful conduct before and during the congress.
However, the Audu / Faleke faction at the congress held at St Peter Primary School Felele, re-elected the outgoing state Chairman of the party, Alhaji Haddy Ametuo as the new Chairman.
He and 34 other outgoing executive members were elected by affirmation by all delegates that attended the congress.
The Returning Officer for the congress, Mr. Theman Saurara announced the results of the congress.
“ Having successfully conducted the state congress, I announced the return of all but two of the former state officers,” Saurara stated.
In his acceptance speech , Ametuo expressed gratitude to the delegates for the confidence reposed in him, promising not to let them down.
He also assured them that their sufferings for the party over the years will not go unrewarded, urging them to remain steadfast.
” We suffer for this party together and we will all reap the fruits of our labour together.
“ This same set of APC executives from ward to the state congress we just conducted worked hard to give President Muhammadu Buhari Victory in 2015 and it is us again that will deliver Kogi State come 2019,” he said.
ADAMAWA
Governor Muhammadu Bindow of Adamawa State and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustafa, have lauded the hitch-free conduct of APC State Congress in the North-East state.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after casting their votes, Bindow and Mustafa described the exercise as commendable.
“I am happy with what I saw; this is APC in action and members deserve commendation for the maturity exhibited to prove that there is internal democracy in the party.
“We have voted for responsible people as advised by President Buhari,” Bindow said.
On his part,Mustafa also lauded the conduct and urged for more unity among party members.
Commenting on the parallel congress organized by some stakeholders, including former SGF, Mr Babachir Lawan, Sen. Abdulazeez Nyako and Sen. Abubakar MoAllahyidi, the SGF said that they were on their own.
He said that the presence of party officials from Abuja and INEC staff at Ribadu Square, was a clear indication of the legitimacy of the exercise and therefore wondered why some people would be organizing something parallel.
Also speaking on the congress, the Speaker of Adamawa House of Assembly, Alhaji Kabiru Mijinyawa and the State branch chairman of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Aliyu Boya, lauded the conduct and urged winners and losers to accept the outcome in the spirit of sportsmanship.
The State Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC, Mr Kassim Gaidam, who monitored the congress with his team, also lauded the conduct and urged other states to emulate Adamawa.
Most of those occupying positions, including that of the State Chairman, contested unopposed.
ONDO
There was pandemonium at the venue of a factional state congress of APC in Ondo State on Saturday as thugs invaded the BTO Hall venue in Akure, the state capital.
The Isaac Kekemeke faction of the party in the state was holding the congress when the armed thugs struck.
The other faction, led by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu and acting chairman, Mr. Ade Adetimehin, held its congress at The Dome.
Members of the Kekemeke faction from the 18 local governments had arrived BTO Hall and started election process when the gun-wielding thugs, led by a prominent leader of the state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), invaded the venue in 10 buses.
They locked the doors and attacked everybody.
Politicians, journalists and others were beaten. About 40 were injured.
For more than 20 minutes and despite the presence of men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the thugs took over the premises.
Windscreens of many vehicles were shattered.
After the exit of the thugs, members reconvened.
While Adetimehim emerged the chairman of Akeredolu’s faction, Hon. Idowu Otetubi was elected as the state chairman of the Kekemeke faction.
BAUCHI
The Congress in Bauchi, Bauchi State was held under tight security to forestall any crisis.
The venue of the APC state congress was beefed up with both uniformed and plain-clothed security agents.
The state congress election took place in spite of court injunction secured by the Speaker of House of Represntatives, Yakubu Dogara, and six others, restraining the party from conducting the exercise.
The Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Kamal Datti, said the beefing up of security at the venue was “normal” in any political function.
“It is normal to beef up security at the venue of any political functions in the state.
“That is why you see security agents in all strategic areas and corners of the venue and the city.
“If you look at the venue of the congress, it is not only the Police Force in place; all other security agencies are present.
“The ultimate aim is to provide peacful atmosphere at the venue of the congress,” he said.
Organising Secretary of the party in the state, Mr Abdulkadir Gyang, said that the presence of security agents was to ensure the conduct of the exercise in orderly manner.
“Our party does not tolerate rancour and violence; that is why we sought for the presence of security personnel to take care of the venue,” he said.
The Chairman of the State Congress Committee from the National Secretariat of the Party, Mr Kabiru Matazu, said all security outfits were notified of the event.
“On our arrival yesterday from Abuja, we visited all the security agencies in the state and notified them because we want a free and fair congress in the presence of all security agencies,” he said
Commenting on the court injunction, State Chairman of the party, Alhaji Uba Nana, who re-contested ‘unopposed’, said the party was yet to be served with the court order.
He described the injunction as uncalled for because the plaintiffs had refused to follow due process.
“By the party’s constitution, if you have any grievances, you complain to ward officials; if you are not satisfied, go to local level, before state, and then national level.
“If you are not still satisfied, you can now go to court and then present whatever you want the court to do for you.
“I want to observe that the plaintiffs failed to even complain to the appeal committee set up by the party to entertain grievances at all levels,” Nana said.
EDO
APC Chairman in Edo State, Anselm Ojezua, and 10 members of the dissolved executive committee were on Saturday retained in the party’s new executive committee in the state.
The 11 persons were among 36 executive members, including four ex-officio members of the party elected through consensus by the delegates at the party’s congress in the state.
Other former executive members re-elected are Mr Lawtence Okah, State Secretary; Mr Chris Azebame, State Publicity Secretary and Mr George Ohioma, State Legal Adviser.
Others included Mr Valentine Asuen, State Youth Leader and Mrs Aisosa Amadasun, former Women Leader, now State Organising Secretary.
Chairman of the Congress Committee in the state, Prof Okey Onyejekwe, who announced outcome of the congress, had said earlier that the congress’ delegates made his assignment easy by adopting consensus option.
He explained that the option was in line with Article 20, Sub-section ‘A’ of the APC Constitution.
In his acceptance speech, the re-elected chairman, Ojezua, re-affirmed the executive committee’s commitment to deliver on efficiency.
He said that the party in the state, had demonstrated that choices could be made through consensus and yet be all-inclusive.
The chairman expressed delight that the party was currently much bigger, united, peaceful and stable in the state, compared to previous years.
A total of 1, 265 delegates participated in the congress in the state.
Governor Godwin Obaseki expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the congress.
Speaking with newsmen in Benin at the end of the exercise, Obaseki urged other political parties to emulate the conduct of the congress.
The governor said that the peaceful conduct and outcome of the congress showed the level of internal democracy in the state APC.
“The party is well organised in the state. This sort of experience should be taken to the federal level.
“Edo is the light and we want to show the light to Nigerians on how political parties should be organised, ‘’ Obaseki said.
The governor said that the level of resent in the election process was minimal, noting that in a democratic process, the majority would always have their way.
“We will always encourage the minority to have their say so that we will always have a balanced democracy, ’’ he said.
Obaseki said he would work with the new party executives in the state.
“My expectation is that we are going to have a political machine that will be second to none in this country.
“I am going to be driving every agenda in government using the party’s machinery, ‘’ the governor said.
BAYELSA
In Bayelsa State, 36 candidates were returned unopposed through voice votes.
Col. Ahmed Usman (rtd), Chairman, Electoral Monitoring Committee of the Congress in the state, said that 566 delegates voted out of 568 accredited to vote.
“In all, we have only one `no’ vote, 517 `yes’ votes, 48 invalid, making a total of 566 votes.
“I, therefore, declare the vote of `yes’ for the winner of the state congress, Mr Jothan Amos as Chairman; Martin Alabo, Secretary; and all other positions that have been elected unopposed,’’ Usman stated.
Accepting the victory, Amos expressed delight and thanked delegates and leader of the party in the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, for their support.
He said that he would be relentless in working hard to ensure that the party took over power in the state in 2020.
CROSS RIVER
In Cross River State, Mr Godwin Etim-John was elected Chairman of the party in the state, and Mr Martins Achadu clinched Deputy Chairman’s position.
Mr Ernest Eki was elected Vice Chairman (Central) while Mr Francis Ekpenyong and Mr Mike Agbe were elected Secretary and Treasurer, respectively.
Chairman of the Congress Committee, Mr Husseini Adamu, had assured that the congress would be transparent and fair.
Secretary of the Congress Committee, Mr Reginald Owakwe, who congratulated the newly-elected executive committee members of the party in the state, urged them to carry all members along in their activities.
Owakwe also charged them to work very hard with a view to winning Cross River in the 2019 elections.
KATSINA
All the 36 Executive Officers of APC in Katsina State retained their posts as they were elected unopposed during the state congress.
‘’The officials were the only ones who purchased forms to contest for positions during the state congress”, the Chairman of the State Congress Committee, Mr Usman Muhammad, stated this on Saturday in Katsina while declaring the results.
“The committee sold forms to 36 candidates who were the only persons that indicated their interests to contest.
“We have given all party members opportunity to indicate their interest but only the 36 persons purchased the forms,’’ he said.
The chairman earlier gave 20 minutes grace for persons, who paid for the forms but were not given, to collect and fill the forms to enable them take part in the congress.
““We are ready to accept anybody that has bank teller to come forward and present it, we will give him the form and can contest.
“”Since nobody has come forward, that shows that we have only 36 persons who have indicated interest to contest the election,’’ he said.
All the 36 positions were reaffirmed because they were returned unopposed.
Shitu Shitu was re-elected as chairman of the party.
In his post election speech, the re-elected Chairman of the party, Shitu Shitu, promised to carry along all members in running the affairs of the party.
He called for their support to move the party forward as the general elections approach.
Shitu also assured members that he would ensure justice and fairness to all.
He urged party members to ensure unity so as to win the 2019 general elections.
Other officials returned unopposed included Amadu Dan-malam, Deputy Chairman, Sani Ahmad, Secretary and Bala Abubakar, Zonal Chairman, Funtua zone.
Governor Aminu Masari, National and State Assembly members and top government officials were among those who attended the event which was supervised by INEC officials.
ZAMFARA
Serving Commissioner for Health in Zamfara State, Alhaji Lawali Liman, on Saturday, emerged the new APC state chairman at the congress.
National Chairman of the party’s state congress, Alhaji Umar Dambo, said Liman emerged as a consensus candidate following agreement reached by party elders and stakeholders.
Until his recent position, Liman had served as the Chairman of Kaura-Namoda Local Government Council, before he was reassigned by Gov. Abdulaziz Yari as a commissioner in the state’s executive council.
Liman had in the last two years, served as the state Commissioner of Rural and Community Development, before he was recently redeployed to the Ministry of Health as Commissioner, a position he held until his election by consensus as the APC Chairman in the state.
GOMBE
Delegates at APC Congress in Gombe State returned all the party executives to serve for another term.
The election, which was done through affirmation, indicated the return of 31 former executive members and the election of five new others.
The congress was conducted under peaceful atmosphere, with adequate security presence.
Speaking during the exercise, Chairman, Committee for the Congress, Alhaji Zubairu Abubakar, said all the executives were returned through affirmation.
“There was no election; it was only affirmation; the party has arranged everything even before our arrival, it was easier for us,” he said.
He described the exercise as the most peaceful and devoid of rancor, adding that other states should emulate Gombe.
In his remarks, former governor of the state and now a serving senator, Danjuma Goje, called for the unity of the party, which he said was the only way to win the general election in 2019.
“Our unity is the only path to victory; it is possible for us win the governorship in 2019,” he said.
Goje advised the re-elected executives of the party, to carry everybody along.
KEBBI
Haliru Abdu Stadium, Birnin Kebbi, the venue for the state congress of APC was deserted on Saturday by both contestants and delegates.
Anxious journalists waited in vain between 9a.m and 4pm for both the contestants and delegates and the officials from the APC headquarters in Abuja.
The whereabouts of all were unknown.
As at the time of filing this report, the venue of the congress was virtually empty, except for the presence of policemen and journalists.
Police presence was also visible at race course, another venue, apparently for fear of an aggrieved group holding a parallel congress in the state.
A party delegate from Suru Local Government expressed concern over the whole ‘absurdity’.
He said that since he came into Birnin Kebbi for the Congress, he was yet to see any party official.
“They just dumped us here for hours since morning. Nobody, including party officials, have said anything to us,” he said.
State publicity secretary, Alhaji Sani Dododo, could not be reached on phone.
It was learned that party officials and electoral committee members from the national headquarters, party elders and APC Local Government Chairmen were holding a closed door meeting in a place not disclosed to determine the fate of the exercise.
IMO
Some APC women in Imo State staged a protest at the Police Command, Owerri, demanding cancellation of the ward congress and the holding of a fresh exercise.
The women, who trooped out in their thousands, also protested at the major streets in the state capital, causing gridlock and paralysing commercial activities.
Some of their placards read: ‘NWC please save us from these wicked coalitions that have vowed to destroy our party’, ‘There was no ward congress in Imo, we demand outright cancellation of the purported election’.
Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Andrew Enwerem, told the women that the police would continue to promote peace in the state.
Enwerem said police have noted their protest, but added that they should equally take the protest to the appropriate quarters.
The spokesman assured that police would not allow anybody to destabilise the effort of security agencies in ensuring that peace was maintained.
One of the women, Dr Gertrude Oduka, said the only way to settle the crises was for the National Working Committee of APC to cancel and order fresh election.
Oduka, the Commissioner for Education, said there was nothing like ward congress in her ward, adding that the process was marred by irregularities.
Also, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mrs Ugochi Okoro, accused the coalition group of killing the party in Imo.
“Our party has been very peaceful and our governor has done very well in projecting the interest of the party until this wicked group joined the party.
“I am very convinced that their mission is to kill the party and we want the President and NWC of our party to be aware of this and do the right thing,” she said.
