By David Lawani, Abuja
Despite assurances by Kebbi State governor, Abubakar Bagudu, that all is well in the All Progressives Congress (APC), it appears the contrary holds.
Bagudu had painted a peaceful realm in the party, saying the governors in the APC camp are all proud of the presidential and vice presidential candidates of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Kashim Shettima.
But after a meeting that spanned hours on the possible resolutions of the issues affecting the party yesterday, it can be authoritatively gleaned that all is not well and no specific date has been announced as to the commencement of the presidential campaign kick-off.
Bagudu himself raised some doubts when he disclosed yesterday, shortly after a meeting with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) and the National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Adamu.
The meeting dwelt on the possible resolutions of the issues affecting the party, but it ended on a negative note as no specific date was announced as to the commencement of the presidential campaign kick-off.
According to the governor, “The governors of the APC and members of the Presidential Campaign Council visited the initial chairman and NWC members to strategise and discuss campaign-related issues. And the chairman briefed us about development in the party. And to see how well our party is doing in the polity.
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“The governors are very proud of our party. We are very proud of the party leaders and President Muhammadu Buhari. And we are also very proud of the national convention that we have produced for the presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his vice-presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima.
“We are very proud of the action of the national chairman and the NWC. We are very proud of the action of the presidential campaign council. We are happy that we are discussing this, even though there were leaks.
“But it is unfortunate that the campaign council and the party have admitted their mistakes that they were not authorised. I am happy that our party is solidly behind our candidates and our party. And whatever leaks that have come out erroneously, will soon be addressed.”
The meeting had the former national chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, as well as members of the NWC, and other party chieftains, in attendance.
* Adamu says no cause for alarm
Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Adamu, has reacted to whether the campaign council is comfortable with the arrangements so far.
Adamu replied, “We are very comfortable. We have established machinery to resolve any conflict that may hang and be sure that the governor’s forum and the PCC. This meeting we have had is more than news for all of us. For us, nothing short of victory is good enough.”
He noted further on the campaign kick-off, “Don’t be faster than your shadow. No matter how in hurry you may be, the fact of the matter is that we as a party as APC will determine it as long as it is within the framework of INEC guidelines.”
