North-Central, South West ex-govs may replace Adamu, Omisore

The new leadership of the All Progressives Congress has written to intimate President Bola Tinubu on the postponement of the long-awaited National Caucus and National Executive Committee meetings. The development is coming barely 24 hours after the Acting National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abubakar Kyari, announced the resignation of his successor, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore.

This was even as multiple sources confirmed that the National Working Committee might be looking toward October to convene a National Convention to complete the transition of filling up the vacant offices. Aside from the offices of the National Chairman and secretary, other positions that are presently vacant include Deputy National Publicity Secretary, formerly occupied by Murtala Ajaka, who is running for the office of Kogi governor on the platform of Social Democratic Party and National Welfare Officer, which was previously occupied by the late Friday Nwosu.

Speaking exclusively with a national daily correspondent, National Vice Chairman for South East, Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu noted though the ruling party would eventually hold the convention, he however stressed that caucus and NEC meetings were of priority. He said, “We are still preparing for our NEC and National Caucus meeting. It is after we have those two meetings that we will know the direction of the party. Nobody is talking about Convention. It is the caucus and NEC meetings that we are focused on for now.”

Asked to confirm if the new leadership of the party is planning to have a private meeting with the president, the NWC member nodded. “Yes. We have sent a letter to the president to intimate him about our decision to postpone both the caucus and NEC meetings. So we are in the planning stage because of the new leadership,” he said. On whether the exit of Kyari and few notable persons being considered for ministerial positions will create an additional vacuum before an emergency Convention takes place, Arodiogbu disagreed.

“No. The people being considered for ministerial appointments already know themselves and they are keen on retaining the party’s position like myself. Whatever backing we take, it is something we will, as a party, decides on the best way to fill them before the NEC.
“The date for the NEC has not been decided yet. My thinking is maybe towards the end of the year. You know the planning of Congress is not something that will happen within one month. I don’t think so. We are more concerned with the NEC happening within the next two weeks. But then, the government must settle down first by announcing and inaugurating the cabinet,” he noted.

Continuing, the national vice chairman for South-East admitted that though having a frozen account as a result of the change in leadership may slightly cause a delay in staff salaries and the day-to-day running of the party’s affairs, he expressed optimism they will find a way around it.
An informed source at the party secretariat also confirmed that some representatives of the APC leadership may include the national chairman, secretary, and an undisclosed person are preparing to visit the president. He also disclosed that several names, which include former governors and heavyweights in the North-Central and South West are currently being considered to replace both Adamu and Omisore.

“They (NWC) are due to meet with the president any moment for them to decide on the all-important NEC and caucus meetings. It is a must they meet to agree on the new dates.
Speaking on a possible replacement for the post of substantive national chairman, the source fingered former governor of Nasarawa State, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura; former governor of Niger State, Abu Lolo; former Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Silas Ali Agara and former governor of Plateau State.