By Emmanuel Mogbede
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has revealed that he inherited legal liabilities amounting to N8.98 billion upon assuming office.
Ganduje made this disclosure on Wednesday during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party, held at its national secretariat in Abuja.
The meeting was attended by President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC governors, and other key stakeholders.
Ganduje explained that the outstanding liabilities stemmed from legal engagements in pre-election matters, election petitions, and appeals across legislative, governorship, and presidential elections.
He also requested a new national secretariat to accommodate the party’s national officers, noting that the National Working Committee (NWC) had already applied to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) for land.
Soliciting the president’s intervention, he urged swift action to ensure the project’s realisation.
Highlighting a shift in APC’s campaign strategy, Ganduje said the party now inaugurates state campaign councils within the affected states rather than in Abuja.
“This approach allows for greater participation by party members and stakeholders in their respective states,” he said, adding that the innovation has helped engage the right people in campaign organisation and management.
He also noted that the party is focused on reclaiming power in Anambra and Osun while preparing for the Anambra governorship primary scheduled for April.
On reconciliation efforts, Ganduje stated that the party had initiated high-level discussions among leaders and stakeholders to resolve internal conflicts.
“Through dialogue, we have taken steps to mend lingering differences, and the process is gradually yielding results,” he said, adding that the Conflict Reconciliation Committee, pending NEC approval, would build on these efforts.
NEC members passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu, commending his bold economic reforms, which they said were starting to yield positive results.
The motion was moved by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, and seconded by former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole.
A separate vote of confidence was also passed on Ganduje and the party’s NWC.
Among those present at the meeting were: Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Governors from Edo, Ondo, Benue, Ekiti, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Yobe, Kogi, and Ogun; former Governors of Zamfara (Abdulaziz Yari), Kogi (Yahaya Bello), and Zamfara (Bello Matawalle) and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu.
However, former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo were absent.
Ganduje was appointed APC National Chairman on Aug. 3, 2023, following the resignation of Abdullahi Adamu. (NAN)
