The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is agog as the National Convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, holds in Abuja today.
The convention which holds at the Eagles Square will witness the emergence of a new set of leaders for the party.
It would be recalled that the decision to have the national convention was taken in February at the party’s National Executive Committee meeting.
The decision was against an earlier one which approved the extension of the tenure of the current executives.
The party’s decision to hold the convention was to avoid legal crisis in the preparations for the 2019 election.
Ahead of the convention, the national headquarters of the party is already a beehive of activities with thousands of members of the party carrying out different activities.
No fewer than 6, 800 delegates, from the states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory will attend the occasion.
There is a clear indication that former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, will emerge the new national chairman of the party.
He has emerged the sole candidate for the post as other aspirants had withdrawn before the convention date.
The last to withdraw is a former Governor of Cross River, Chief Clement Ebri.
Ebri tendered his letter of withdrawal from the race on Thursday, saying his action was to support the move to ensure peace and unity in the party ahead of the 2019 election.
He expressed support for Oshiomhole.
READ ALSO: Buhari to IDPs: We’ll bring back your communities
His words: “We should all render him every support and encouragement he needs as he and his team proceed to rebuild our party into a formidable, unified and inclusive organisation where every voice counts.”
Of the 21 members of the Odigie-Oyegun-led National Working Committee, 17 are seeking re-election.
They include the Deputy National Chairman (North), Sen. Lawal Shuaibu; National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni; National Auditor, George Moghalu; National Women Leader, Hajiya Aisha Tijjani; National Organising Secretary, Sen. Osita Izunaso; National Publicity Secretary, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi; Deputy National Secretary, Victor Geidam; National Vice Chairman (South-West), Pius Akinyelure, and National Vice Chairman (North-West), Inuwa Abdulkadir.
Others are the National Vice Chairman (North-Central), Zakari Abdullahi Ede; National Financial Secretary, Tajudeen Olawutan Bellow; National Vice Chairman (South-East), Emma Eneukwu; National Vice Chairman (South-South), Prince Hilliard Eta, and National Vice Chairman (North-East) Hon. Mustapha.
The post of the National Organising Secretary is hotly contested for with about seven aspirants.
A consensus candidate is likely to emerge following a possible meeting of the governors over the post.
Meanwhile, in order to ensure security in Abuja during the convention, no fewer than 2,400 personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the FCT Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) have been deployed.
According to the Public Relations Officer of the FCT Command of the NSCDC, Mr. David Akinbinu, the personnel were already working ahead of the convention.
