Joel Oladele-Abuja
Despite the official September 28 set by Independence Electoral Commission (INEC) for political parties across the country to kick-off their campaign activities, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) seems not ready as they are committed to resolving the crisis currently rocking the party.
Addressing journalists after a five-hour long meeting at the party secretariat on Wednesday, involving the Progressives Governors, National Working Committee and Presidential Campaign Council management, the Chairman of the party, Senator Abdulahi Adamu hinted that everything is under control and the party is not under compulsion to start the campaign at the INEC’s stipulated date.
The crisis is believed to be connected to the campaign list recently released as it has earlier been reported that some governors in the party are not pleased with it due to some names missing.
Expressing his satisfaction after the meeting, Adamu said, “We are very comfortable with all the machineries in place and we are together. I believe this meeting is more than useful for all of us. For us, in the spirit of this meeting we will work together as one.
“We will let you know when we want to commence the campaign. Whatever we choose to do and when, we as a party will determine when as long as it is within the timeline of INEC.”
Also addressing journalists, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Kebbi state governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said, “We strategized and discussed about the campaigns and the chairman intimated us with the development in the party and we appreciate how well our party is doing within the polity.”
Speaking on governors who are aggrieved over the campaign list, Bagudu said they are happy with the Presidential Campaign Council and are ready to work together towards the success of the party come 2023.
“We are very proud of our party and we are proud of our party leader, Mr President Muhammadu Buhari and the convention we had that gave us our presidential candidate in person of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our vice presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima and we are very proud of the actions of our national chairman and members of the NWC. We are very proud of the actions of the presidential campaign council.
“Though there were names that were unfortunate not to make the list, the campaign council with the party have announced that it would be harmonized but we are happy to say that the party is solidly behind the candidate and I believe whatsoever list has come out erroneously are mistakes and were not authorized.”
Present at the meeting include governors of: Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje; Jigawa, Abubakar Badaru; Niger, Bello Sani; Zamfara, Bello Matawalle; Ondo, Rotimi Akeredolu; Plateau, Simeon Lalong and Nasarawa, Abdullahi Sule.
Others include former party chairman, Adams Oshiomole, Hadiza Bala Usman and members of National Working Committee (NWC).