President Mohammadu Buhari has thrown his weight behind the Mai Mala Buni led Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the APC on the postponement of the Party’s National Convention.
The CECPC, chaired by the Yobe State Governor, Mai Bala Buni, met Sunday night and took a decision to postpone the party’s national convention, which was earlier scheduled to hold on Saturday 26th February, 2022.
The President was said to have given his approval after considering the reasons presented by the Committee and gave his support to enable for adequate planning and also the mitigation of some other sticky issues within the party.
Earlier in the day, the Party through its Chairman and Secretary of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni, and Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, in a letter dated February 21, 2022, informed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the new development.
“This notice supersedes our earlier notice for the National Convention referenced APC/NHDQ/INEC/019/22/14. This is predicated on the evaluation of our party Constitution.”
“In furtherance to Article 85 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and compliance with Section 12:6 of our Party Constitution, we hereby write to notify the Commission that our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has scheduled to hold its zonal congresses on Saturday 26th March, 2022.
“Kindly arrange for your officials to monitor the exercise accordingly. While hoping to receive your cooperation, please accept the assurances of our highest esteem.”
Observers say the postponement was informed by the need to conduct a world class convention befitting of the APC and for the enthronement of internal democracy in the party and by extension, the country at large.
The letter did not make any mention of the date for the National Convention which made many to speculate that it may be shifted beyond the March 26th date.
However, after the CECPC emerged from a closed-door meeting which started by 11:00 am Monday, the National Secretary of the Party, Dr John Akpanudoedehe, announced to the media that the preparation for the national convention will commence on March 24, 2022, while the zonal congresses will hold before the national convention slated for March 26, 2022.
“After deliberation and agreement with the CECPC, we have agreed and approved that the activities of the National Convention will commence from Feb. 24 and terminates in March 26 at Eagle Square with the National Convention.
“In between the convention, we have agreed to have zonal congresses,” the APC scribe said.
Pursuant to Article 12.6 of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Constitution, the Party hereby releases its Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the Zonal Congresses across the Six (6) Geo-political Zones as follows:
1. Thursday 24th February, 2022
Publication of Zonal Committees
2. Saturday 26th February, 2022
Meeting of Zonal Stakeholders
3. Monday 28th February – Thursday 3rd March,
2022
Sales of forms for Zonal positions
4. Saturday 5th March, 2022
Screening of Zonal Aspirants
5. Sunday 6th March, 2022
Screening Appeal
6. Tuesday 8th March, 2022
Adoption of Screening Report
7. Saturday 12th March, 2022
Zonal Congresses
8. Monday, 14th March, 2022
Zonal Congresses Appeal
9. Wednesday, 16th March, 2022
Adoption of Appeal Report
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