By David Lawani
The Chairman of APC Progressives Governors Forum, PGF, Atiku Bagudu has disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved February 2022 for the All Progressives Congress, APC National convention.
Bagudu in a briefing with journalists on Monday after he and other APC governors met with Buhari at the presidential villa, noted that February was mooted to the president because four states have not held congresses.
There is no doubt that apart from the four states that are yet to conduct their congresses, the party is also battling an internal crisis within its such that if it is not addressed, might lead to the implosion or mass movement of members to other parties. The challenge now is what mode of methodology will be deployed in ensuring fray nerves are calm before the main day?
According to him: “I also explained yesterday that the Progressive Governors Forum discussed the issue of the national convention of the party and they mandated us to come and discuss with the president as the party’s leader to give the input of the governors so that the party and the president will consider,” NAN quoted the Kebbi governor as saying.
“Part of the inputs we got yesterday was that we still have four states which are in the process of completing their congresses like Anambra, understandably because of the recent gubernatorial election; Zamfara and two others, because of logistic challenges and then, Christmas is around the corner and early January, we will be very busy with Ekiti.
“So, the governors, based on all these, suggested that the party and the president should graciously consider February, and the president is favorably disposed to the suggestion”, he stated.
Meanwhile, the party’s Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee Chairman, CECPC, Mai Mala Buni, who was also on the visit said Nigerians should expect a more united party after the convention has been conducted.
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“The Progressive Governors Forum, after their meeting, suggested February to the party and the president has concurred. So, we are going ahead to plan for the convention in February,” Buni said.
“Nigerians should expect more unity and progress as a result of the forthcoming convention”, he noted.
He refuted accusations that he is delaying the convention to extend his tenure as chairman.
“Am I a jobless person who is always trying to extend his tenure? To do what? I have my primary responsibility as a governor to go back to my state and carry out my primary responsibility.
“What I am here to do is ad hoc and of course to reposition the party and that is exactly what we have been able to achieve”, he said.
