By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Cross Udo, and David Lawani, Abuja
The caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Senate yesterday said it had not endorsed any Senator who is contesting the position of the national chairman of the party.

Three senators: Adamu Abdullahi, Sani Musa, and Tanko Al-Makura, are contesting the position of APC national chairman in the party’s convention slated for Saturday, March 26.

There was tension in the red chamber yesterday when the news went around that the APC senators had settled for the candidature of Adamu Abdullahi.

The development caused serious confusion among the senators as many of them contacted, denied ever endorsing Abdullahi.

The Senators said they needed the party to move forward with the emergence of an energetic person who would be elected through a transparent election.

The Spokesperson for the Senate, Dr Ajibola Basiru, when contacted, said the APC members in the red chamber had not endorsed any of the aspirants.

He said, “I am not aware that the APC senate caucus has adopted any senator for the position of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress.

“I know that three senators are contesting and there was nowhere or occasion when we took any decision to adopt any particular candidate.

“We would be very happy if any of them emerge as the APC national chairman on Saturday. The emergence of any of the three senators would be a good omen to our institution.

“At the moment the APC senate caucus hasn’t endorsed any of them or agreed to pick any of them as the consensus candidate. Senators Adamu Abdullahi, Sani Musa and Tanko Al-Makura are in the race.”

There was confusion yesterday when a national daily reported that the APC caucus in the Senate had endorsed a former governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Adamu

The report claimed that the leadership of the 9th Senate led by the Senate Leader, Senator Abdullahi Yahaya, made the declaration last Thursday during the launching of the Adamu’s campaign headquarters in Abuja.

The launching of the campaign headquarters located at No 78 Emeka Anyaoku Street, Area 11 Garki-Abuja witnessed the attendance of the leadership of the Senate.

Those also in attendance included Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo Agege; Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

Others were; Senator Ali Ndume; Senator Adamu Aliero; and Senator Barau Jibrin.

•Nothing will stop APC convention on March 26-Uzodimma
Meanwhile, the Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma on Monday said that nothing will stop the national convention of the ruling APC scheduled for March 26.

The Governor also said that it was the wish of the opposition that the APC is scattered, or is not united.

Asked whether the convention would hold as scheduled as some persons have claimed that the mercenaries were yet to be in place for the exercise, he said everything had been put in place for the convention.

According to him, “On the APC convention, I don’t know what kind of sign you want to see before you know, that convention will hold on Saturday.

“As of yesterday (Sunday), all the sub-committees have started meeting. The screening committee, the Accreditation Committee, and I’m aware that they are only waiting. The venue is being prepared.

“So I don’t know the kind of machines you want, whether you want caterpillar or bulldozer before to now know that there will be convention.

“I told you people that APC is the party to beat. So it is the wish of our opponent to see that APC is scattered, or is not united. But that is their wishful thinking. APC cannot afford to lose what they have. Because what we have is the trust of over 200 million people.

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“And we don’t just have a choice, we must remain united to be able to continue with this programme. So I think I want to assure you, that we will have a very peaceful, very successful convention on Saturday, if anybody is thinking otherwise, well that person should go and pray because God has already approved our convention.”

•Screening of aspirants commence today
The APC National Convention Screening Sub-Committee has invited aspirants for the exercise.

In an invitation signed by the Secretary of the Screening Committee, Emmanuel Otagburuagu, the aspirants will be screened in two batches at the Katsina State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro-Abuja.

It reads further, “His Excellency, Aminu Bello Masari, the Chairman and Dimeji Bankole, the co-chairman of the APC 2022 National Convention Screening Committee, hereby invites all the aspirants to the screening exercise scheduled as from Tuesday (today).”