Delegates arrive APC national convention venue amidst tight security

By Emmanuel Oloniruha and Emmanuel Mogbede

Delegates from various state chapters of All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have started arriving the venue of the party’s eighth elective national convention.

The convention is being held amidst heavy presence of party stalwarts, members and supporters in their colorful party outfits.

Already seated at the Eagle Square convention venue were delegates from Kaduna, Imo, Delta, Ebonyi, Benue, Lagos, Kogi, Rivers and Plateau states.

The convention, with the theme: “Unity in Progress: Consolidating the Renewed Hope Agenda,” is expected to host no fewer than 8,453 delegates from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.

A total of 32 state governors and no fewer than 8,453 delegates from across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are expected to elect the new NWC members.

However, APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and some other members of NWC are expected to be returned with affirmative votes, as they are unopposed.

The convention is expected to be attended by President Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, 32 state governors and members of the National Assembly.

Security has been beefed up around the Three Arms Zone, with personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Department of State Services (DSS) conducting thorough screenings.

All the major roads leading to the venue of the convention were manned with security personnel, with patrol vehicles stationed at intervals around the area.

While the personnel of Nigeria Police, Department of State Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were conspicuous, delegates to the convention were also being subjected to through screening before being allowed access to the main venue.

There is also restriction of both human and vehicular movements, in line with the announcement made on Thursday by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Wilson-Jack.

Wilson-Jack had, in a circular, directed all the federal workers whose offices are around the Eagle Square to work from home on Friday owing to the party’s national convention holding there.

Organisers of the national convention had described the exercise as very critical, as it is expected to produce new National Working Committee (NWC) members who will steer the party’s affairs for the next four years.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, had earlier assured the public that all the 20 sub-committees had finalised arrangements to ensure a transparent and hitch-free elective process.

Hon Aminu Masari, Chairman of the APC National Convention Central Coordination Committee, had earlier assured of adequate security for all the participants at the convention.

Masari’s assurance comes amidst reports that some aggrieved members of the party had instituted court cases to stop the convention.

Masari, however, said that the party had not received any court notice, adding that as a law-abiding organisation, the APC would always abide by the law.

The former Katsina governor said it was unfortunate that some members did not understand the zoning arrangements of the party’s NWC positions.

He said that some members left the positions zoned to their geo-political zones and paid for forms meant for other zones, saying this was the reason they were not able to access the nomination forms.

“We are not aware anybody has gone to court. We have not been served. I am sure you know we are a responsible party. If we are served, we will take notice of that.

“APC is a responsible party in Nigeria. In line with federal character, all offices are zoned. If you come to buy form, you are buying for the positions zoned to your zone,” Masari said.

(NAN)