20th May, 2014
Nigeria’s All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised a 15-member committee ahead of its National Convention rescheduled for June 13 and June14 in Abuja.
Its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the disclosure in Abuja on Tuesday at a news conference after the 10th meeting of the party’s Interim National Committee.
He said “the Interim National Committee of APC, after deliberations, agreed to hold the party’s National Convention in Abuja on June 13 and June14.’’
The APC had earlier announced that it would hold its national convention on May 24, 2014, which it later postponed.
The scribe said the postponement was to enable the party to conclude its congresses in some states and resolve all contentious issues.
The committee, he said, would be headed by Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State, while Sen. Chris Ngige would serve as his Deputy.
Some other members of the committee include Amb. Sule Buba and Mr Rotimi Fashakin.
Mohammed, who expressed the party’s concern over the security challenge facing the country, announced APC’s willingness to partner with the Federal Government to tackle the menace in the country.
He advised the Federal Government to adopt a holistic approach in the fight against the insurgency in the North-East.
He emphasised the need for government to shun party differences and extend hand of friendship to APC with a view to forging a common front against terror groups.
The APC secretary said “a party that controls 16 states, over 40 senators and 150 members of House of Representatives is too big to be ignored at a critical time like this in the life of our nation.’’
He, however, cautioned against politicisation of the fight against Boko Haram and urged all stakeholders in the Nigeria project to be sincere and patriotic.
He said “APC remains committed to a non-partisan approach to end the Boko Haram scourge.’’
The former Gov. of Lagos State, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu, applauded international community’s support to the fight against insurgency in Nigeria, saying “it is a good step in the right direction.’’
The meeting was attended by Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, Chief Ogbonnoya Onu and Sen. Danjuma Goje, among others.