By David Lawani and Cross Udo, Abuja
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, said he inherited N8.98bn debt in legal liabilities yesterday.
He said this in Abuja at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held at its national secretariat.
The NEC meeting included President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.
The governors in attendance included Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti).
Others were Uba Sani (Kaduna); Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa); Mai Mala Buni (Yobe); Usman Ododo (Kogi); and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun).
Former governors who attended included Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), and Bello Mattawalle (Zamfara),
The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, was also at the meeting.
However, former President Muhammadu Buhari and his deputy, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, were absent from the meeting. Also absent were former Rivers and Kaduna governors Rotimi Amaechi and Nasir el-Rufai, respectively.
In his welcome address, Ganduje said the outstanding liabilities were for legal engagements during pre-election matters, election cases, and appeals for legislative, governorship, and presidential elections.
The chairman also requested a new national secretariat to accommodate its national officers.
He said the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), under his leadership, had applied to the Federal Capital Territory Administration for land.
Ganduje solicited the President’s intervention to ensure that the secretariat project materialised.
He said that the NWC had introduced a new people-centred approach to campaign administration in fulfillment of his promise to take the party to the grassroots.
Ganduje said instead of inaugurating national campaign governorship councils for states in Abuja; they are now inaugurated in affected states.
He said this would allow for greater participation by party members and other stakeholders in the respective states.
According to Ganduje, the innovation has helped to engage the right people to organise and manage campaigns in their states.
He also said the party’s focus was now on regaining power in Anambra and Osun.
The chairman added that, in compliance with INEC’s election timetable, the party had begun preparations for the April primary in Anambra.
He also said the party had embarked on reconciliation of aggrieved members, adding that the move gradually yielded the desired results.
“Through dialogue, we initiated high-level discussions among party leaders and other stakeholders to resolve lingering differences among our members.
“The Conflict Reconciliation Committee, which you are about to approve, will build on this,” he said.
*APC NEC passes vote of confidence on Tinubu
Meanwhile, Tinubu’s chances of re-contesting for his position in 2027 received a boost during the APC NEC meeting, as participating members gave Tinubu an overwhelming vote of confidence with a resounding endorsement and shouts of ‘No vacancy in Aso Rock’ after the usual song of ‘On your mandate, we stand,’ which started when Tinubu arrived at the meeting venue.
However, during the meeting, members of NEC passed a vote of confidence on the President.
They said it was in recognition of his bold economic reforms that were beginning to bear positive fruits.
Imo State Governor Uzodinma moved the motion, which was seconded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, a former national chairman of the party.
The NEC members voted confidently on Ganduje and the party’s NWC.
Similarly, the President of the Senate, Akpabio, reiterated the National Assembly’s commitment to supporting Tinubu in lifting the nation from its economic and developmental woes.
“The Senate will expeditiously pass bills that would enhance our national development, improve the economy, and redirect our national pathway,” he said.
Also, the House of Representatives Speaker, Abbas, commended the President for his vision and courage in making unpopular but essential decisions.
He said the decisions were pivotal for Nigeria’s developmental efforts.
*President pledges to work harder for Nigeria’s prosperity
Meanwhile, after receiving the confidence vote for his administration’s good performance, President Tinubu expressed his determination to work harder for the country’s greater good, ensuring the Nigerian economy was recovering.
Tinubu, who said the commendation from the party’s highest decision-making organ was a call for more hard work, promised not to fail the party faithful.
He said, “I am happy with your vote of confidence, and I accept it. The vote is a challenge to do more work; we will vigorously pursue our sovereignty in food security, investment, and development.
“I am happy with food prices decreasing, especially as Ramadan approaches. The Sun is high, and the sky is bright outside. While the rest of the world unravels, we see growth in Nigeria. We are seeing a gradual return to stability. We are seeing improvements. I thank you, governors.”
Tinubu thanked Nigerians for their continued belief and trust in the All-Progressives Congress (APC).
He pledged to continue working assiduously with other arms of government to ensure the greater good for Nigerians and commended APC governors and executives for their continued and unwavering commitment.
“I’m grateful to all Nigerians for the electoral successes recorded from one state to the other. Governors, you have embraced these changes, and I thank the leadership of our party. I also thank members of the National Assembly for expeditiously considering the budget. We can only build the party on a progressive platform to deliver good service to Nigerians.”
The President also commended the party’s National Working Committee for its performance and called for measures to end some of the crises in the states.
“The National Working Committee is doing an excellent job; I am pleased with them. However, there are a few conflicts in the various states. Let’s set up committees to look into the lingering problems in the states and appeal to these party leaders in various states to please be calm and be collaborative,” the President said.
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