The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released the timetable for its congresses that will culminate in a national convention on May 14 in Lagos.
The ruling party, through its National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso, disclosed that the activities will kick off with ward congresses scheduled for Wednesday May 2. Many political analysts are of the view that this convention will go a long way in determining the party’s chances at the 2019 general elections.
The party is believed in some quarters to be in disarray due to the emergence of factions. For instance, some factions are not in favour of a national convention. They prefer that members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party should be given one year tenure elongation. But the party has already resolved that the convention will hold to elect members into various positions. From the election of Women Leader, to the chairmanship position, the convention promises to be an interesting one.
The main focus will be on the chairmanship position of the party. There are a few aspirants who have indicated interests for the plum job. One of them is former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole while the current national chairman of the APC, John Odigie-Oyegun is also interest in continuing. The battle line has been drawn. Some governors who were in support of a tenure elongation for Oyegun have thrown their weight behind him for the chairmanship position of the party. While former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is against Oyegun having his tenure elongated. Against that backdrop, Tinubu is supporting Oshiomhole for the chairmanship position of the party.
Oshiomhole was also a member of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) with Tinubu and his loyalty to the former Lagos State governor has never been in question. Early last month, Oyegun’s tenure was elongated for one more year by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC). In less than one week, that decision was reversed as President Muhammadu Buhari kicked against it.
Although the President had earlier accepted the elongation, there was a twist a week later when he advised members of the National Working Committee of the party who wished to retain their positions or aspire for another to resign and re-contest in line with the party’s constitution. Buhari gave the advice in his opening remarks during the 5th NEC meeting of the APC. He said, “I think it is important for me to speak on the contentious issues of the tenure of four national and state executive officers.
“As we all know, a motion was moved in the last National Executive Committee meeting of February 27 to the effect that when the tenure of the current executives expires in June this year, they should be allowed to continue for one year.
“On my own part, I have taken time to review and seek advice on the resolution and what I found is that it contravened both our party’s constitution and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Tinubu hailed Buhari for kicking against the tenure elongation of Oyegun and others. The Next Edition learnt that the embattled party chairman and his supporters, including some state governors, are still pushing for a tenure elongation. Tinubu, on the other hand, has succeeded in getting a convention and to make matters better for him, the convention will be held in Lagos, his stronghold. Many see that as an early sign of victory for his candidate, Oshiomole.
In 2014, the APC presidential primary was held in Lagos and the outcome favoured Buhari, who was Tinubu’s candidate. The Next Edition also gathered that APC governors who are working for Oyegun have a plan B if their bid to frustrate a convention is defeated. The ward congresses scheduled for May 2 will give the governors the opportunity to choose their own delegates. They are strategising on how to control party delegates ahead of the convention to ensure their candidates emerge victorious. That would also place the party firmly in their control for the 2019 general elections. However, the factions within the APC in many states will make it difficult for the governors to have a smooth ride.
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In Kaduna State, the feud between Governor Nasir El-Rufai and Senator Shehu Sani is getting messier. It would be very difficult for Tinubu to reconcile the two politicians who seem to be working against each other. Sani has not hidden his disgust for El-Rufai’s style of administration. It seems the two just can’t agree on anything.The crisis within the APC in Kaduna is not just about the governor and Senator. There are two factions of the APC in the state. Sani and El-Rufai belong to different factions but most of the heavy weights are said to be in Sani’s camp. As a result, El-Rufai who is one of the backers of Oyegun, would find it difficult to manipulate the ward congresses in his favour.
In neighbouring Kano State, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and his predecessor, Senator Ibrahim Musa Kwankwaso have been political rivals for quite some time now but the situation has degenerated to the level that there is a slogan in both camps – “Kano ba sulhu” meaning no reconciliation in Kano. There may be two conventions there as the two groups (Gandujiyya and Kwankwasiyya) attempted to do during the last local government election held in the state on February 10, 2018.
Kogi State is believed to be the worst in terms of party crisis. Many of those who worked to achieve electoral victory for Buhari in the state have been abandoned by Governor Yahaya Bello. Bello who is also rooting for Oyegun will face a challenge when it comes to selecting delegates for the convention as he will have to do battle with his arch rivals, Senator Dino Melaye and Hon. James Faleke.
In Rivers State, the relationship between Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Magnus Abe has turned sour. Choosing delegates for the main convention on May 14 would be very difficult in Rivers because of the battle of supremacy.
Similarly, Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State and Senator Ifeanyi Ararume are not in good terms. In Oyo State, the conflict between Communications Minister, Adebayo Shittu and Governor Abiola Ajimobi has become public knowledge. Ajimobi, one of Tinubu’s loyalists will have to fight it out with Shittu for the soul of the party.
President Buhari’s home state, Katsina is not left out as several party leaders in the state have forged an alliance against the state governor, Aminu Masari. According to a chieftain of the APC who pleaded anonymity, the best bet for the President would be a convention that would favour Tinubu. He said, “If Oyegun emerges as chairman after the convention, I don’t see Tinubu supporting the APC in 2019. That may be the downfall of the party.”
But as the convention draws near, intrigues will continue till the last minute. And until the end of the convention no one can sing a song of victory.
