President Muhammadu Buhari will determine when the All Progressives Congress(APC) National Convention will hold, Governors elected on the platform of the party may have resolved.
This was the outcome of a meeting by the Governors under the auspices of Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) on Sunday night in Abuja.
Chairman of the forum, Abubakar Bagudu, told newsmen after the meeting that the forum will seek an appointment with Buhari on the National Convention of the party.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party on June 25, 2020 dissolved the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) and appointed a 13-man Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) led by Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni to organise, among others the National Convention of the party within six months.
The silence of the CECPC on the convention date has pitched it against some party members.
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The caretaker committee Secretary, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, said stakeholders, not the committee, will fix the date for the national convention.
A source at the Governors’ meeting told The Nation: “The meeting discussed the National Convention but agreed to give Mr. President the honor of fixing the date for the convention.
“You know many things are to be considered in fixing the convention and the Governors resolved that as the leader of the party, Mr. President, should be given the honor to fix the convention date.
“This is the position the Governors will be taking to a meeting with the President between now and Wednesday. It was the view of the forum that date by President Buhari will be honoured and will be acceptable to all the party members across the various political tendencies in the party.”
Addressing reporters after the meeting, Bagudu said the Governors will seek an appointment with the President on the forthcoming national convention and other pertinent issues concerning the party.
Asked the decision of the forum on the party’s much-awaited national convention, the Kebbi Governor said: “We agreed as a forum, to seek appointment to meet with the President and discuss the on-coming national convention of the party.
“Mind you, we are just one organ of the party and since we are making suggestions to both the party and our party leader (President Buhari), I think it is not fair to preempt or disclose it before the meeting holds.
“We hope to secure that appointment as quickly as possible. Following our meeting with the President, we will disclose what we recommended,” he started.
Bagudu dismissed speculations that the APC governors proposed meeting with the President was to convince him not to assent the Electoral Act Amendment bill.
“Well, I just told you what we are meeting the President for. It is to discuss the oncoming National Convention,” he offered.
On the various crisis in many States, which tend to pitch members against the Buni-led caretaker committee and fears of the possible implosion of the party, the PGF Chairman dismissed these concerns and affirmed that the party was on course.
“I don’t think those expressing such fears are representing reality. This is a party which was not only able to mobilise into its fold three outstanding Governors into the party, the Deputy Governor of Anambra state, members of the National Assembly, distinguished Nigerians from all walks of life and this is the party where the party leadership is humble to say that all Nigerians should join us so that we unite and serve Nigerians.
“While other parties are sending people away, we, despite our strength are inviting them to join us so that together we reposition and keep the progressive agenda,” he stated.
