Security operatives, including armed policemen and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel, assumed control of the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday, with the aim of maintaining law and order amidst ongoing protests.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Party members hailing from Kogi and Cross River States had convened at the party’s national secretariat to voice their dissent over the appointment of members to the National Working Committee (NWC) by the party’s leadership.

The situation led to a delay in the swearing-in of the freshly appointed NWC members. Armed police officers and NSCDC personnel took positions at various entrances along Blantyre Street, where the party’s headquarters is situated, as they dealt with persistent protesters who were unwilling to disperse….CONTINUE READING

Despite the presence of armed security personnel, the protesters persisted, causing traffic congestion for both vehicles and pedestrians.

The arrival of Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, further escalated tensions around the secretariat, as his supporters from the state stood their ground even more determinedly.

As of the time of preparing this report, it remained uncertain whether the protests were the direct cause of the postponement of the scheduled inauguration of the newly appointed NWC members.

On the previous day, the ruling party had declared Duro Meseko (from Kogi State) as the new Deputy National Publicity Secretary (North Central), replacing Yakubu Ajaka who had reportedly been suspended by the state chapter’s ward executive. The selection of Meseko was allegedly backed by James Faleke, in contrast to Governor Bello’s preferred candidate.

Meanwhile, Cross River APC members voiced their discontent against the appointment of Mary Alile Idele from Edo State as the National Women Leader (South South Zone), claiming that this decision was made by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole rather than Dr. Stella Odey-Ekpo, the candidate endorsed by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Beta Edu.

Edu, the former APC National Women Leader, reportedly rushed to the party’s national secretariat at approximately 6:20 pm following the announcement, to express her opposition to the party’s decision to sideline her candidate.

Governor Bello, present at the APC secretariat, expressed determination to resolve the issue and rectify the perceived mistake, stating, “This issue must be sorted out today.” He eventually departed in the evening after it became apparent that the APC Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, would not be arriving.

Although the inauguration of the new NWC members was anticipated to proceed, journalists and secretariat staff began leaving the headquarters around 10:14 pm when it became evident that the national chairman would not be present.

The appointments of the NWC members were announced by the party’s national secretary, Sen Ajibola Basiru, during a media briefing following the NWC meeting. The announcement included Ali Bukar Dalori from Borno State as Deputy National Chairman (North East Zone), replacing Senator Abubakar Kyari who had temporarily served as the acting national chairman before assuming the role of Minister of Agriculture.