APC: How 'influential' state governors personally selected new chiefs, ousted three sitting officials

In a decisive, closed-door meeting, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors determined the party's course, finalizing a consensus list that would be presented at Eagle Square, effectively ending the tenures of three National Working Committee (NWC) members before the convention began.

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This private gathering of state executives, away from the public eye, paved the way for a restructured executive, sealing the fate of the NWC and marking three prominent members for removal, including Hon. Emma Eneukwu, Nze Chidi Duru, and Hon. Bashir Gumel.

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Their removal was strategically executed, following consultations with either their respective state governors or others from the zone, with Eneukwu replaced after a realignment involving Governor Peter Mbah in Enugu, Chidi Duru's exit coming as a shock in Anambra, and Bashir Gumel's removal finalized with the consent of Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi.

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Meanwhile, chaos erupted at the gates of Eagle Square, where policemen, claiming to have orders to bar everyone, threatened to shoot journalists and delegates, and the situation turned violent when security forces fired teargas canisters into the dense crowd.

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The entry to the convention was marred by scenes of mass commotion, with ladies fainting and people falling, as mounted police on horses tried to push back the throng, and many lost valuable personal property, including eyeglasses and mobile phones.

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Journalists, who were given no official vehicle to convey them to the venue and no designated media centre or seating, were forced to cover the event under extreme physical duress, with dozens of journalists from national and international outlets protesting the "hoarding" of accreditation tags earlier on Friday at the Transcorp Hilton.

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The logistical failure led to heated exchanges with the organizers, and security personnel had to be deployed to the hotel to maintain order as frustration boiled over due to the shoddy distribution process.

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As the night progressed into the early hours of Saturday, Vice President Kashim Shettima presided over the solemn inauguration of the new team, with Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda of Plateau State sworn in as the National Chairman, effectively retaining his position.

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In his acceptance speech, Prof. Yilwatda promised to justify the mandate, as the echoes of the evening's turmoil lingered, defining the 8th National Convention as a night of stark contrasts, where the high-stakes political triumph of a newly inaugurated leadership was mirrored by a harrowing collapse of order.

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The convention also granted a six-month extension of the tenure of caretaker committees in Ekiti and Osun states, with a motion to that effect moved by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, citing heightened tensions and security concerns ahead of the off-cycle governorship elections in both states.

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Senator Barau relied on Article 13(1) of the APC constitution, stating that the prevailing situation is not conducive for the conduct of party congresses, and the motion was seconded by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who is from Ekiti state.

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The newly inaugurated All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) has a regional breakdown, with North Central having Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda as National Chairman, Mu’azu Bawa Rijau as National Vice Chairman, Prof. Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana as Deputy National Secretary, and Hon. Duro Meseko as Deputy National Publicity Secretary.

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In the North East region, Hon. Abubakar Dalori is the Deputy National Chairman (North), Dr. Mustapha Salihu is the Deputy Vice Chairman, Sen. Abubakar Maikafi is the National Auditor, Hon. Zainab Ibrahim is the Deputy National Women Leader, and Hon. Hamma-Adama Ali Kumo is the Deputy National Financial Secretary.

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The North West region has Hon. Mohammed Datti as National Vice Chairman, Barr. Muritala Aliyu Kankia as National Legal Adviser, Suleiman M. Argungun as National Organizing Secretary, and Amb. Haruna Ginsau as National Financial Secretary.

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In the South East, Dr. Ben Nwoye is the Deputy National Chairman (South), Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu is the National Vice Chairman, Uguru Matthew Ofoke is the National Treasurer, Hon. Ignatus Nwapa is the National Welfare Secretary, and Hon. Emeka Okafor is the Deputy National Organizing Secretary.

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The South South region has Chief Hon. Victor Ton Giadom as National Vice Chairman, Bart Felix Morka as National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Mary Alile-Idele as National Women Leader.

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The South West region has Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru as National Secretary, D. I. Kekemeke as National Vice Chairman, Abdullahi Dayo Israel as National Youth Leader, and Tolu Bankole as Special (Persons With Disability) Leader.