President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken the helm of the inaugural National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The meeting, which convened yesterday, August 3rd took place at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.
Central to the agenda of the NEC meeting is the ongoing internal turbulence within the APC and the anticipated endorsement of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, former Governor of Kano State, as the party’s National Chairman, alongside Senator Ajibola Basiru, the Spokesperson for the ninth Senate, who is poised to assume the role of the party’s Secretary.
In attendance alongside President Tinubu were prominent APC figures, including Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC governors, former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC).
In a chat with The Punch, a reliable source at the presidency said the lingering crisis rocking the party leadership and possible approval of the nomination of Ganduje and Basiru as national chairman and secretary respectively will be decided at the meeting.
The source said there may be no need for any convention again if the NEC confirms Ganduje and Ajibola as the party’s chairman and scribe.
He said: “The agenda is out. But there is nothing basic in it. We are only going to be looking at how to set up some of those committees and organs that Lukman raised before he resigned. And, of course, some shenanigans will be put up to officially announce the new acting chairman and secretary
“It is just to announce that these people are now in charge, We were told that the NEC can work in place of a convention. They are the ultimate decision maker. If they confirm them (Ganduje), there may be no need for any convention again.
“But regarding the other vacant positions of welfare officer, deputy national publicity secretary, and Vice Chairman for North-West left by Lukman, it is hoped that they will give the NWC the power to fill them. That way, they will avoid budgeting again for another mini-convention.”
