APC governors meet Buhari today over party convention postponed to March 26

The decision by the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, CECPC, of the ruling All Progressives Congress to postpone the party’s February 26 national convention, to March 26 is causing some state governors a sleepless night.

The governors are expected to meet President Muhammadu Buhari today on the way forward for the party.

The CECPC on Monday notified the Independent National Electoral Commission of its decision to conduct zonal congresses on Saturday, March 26, 2022.

A letter dated February 21 was addressed to the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, and jointly signed by Governor Buni and the National Secretary, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe.

The letter read, “This notice supersedes our earlier notice for National Convention referenced APC/NHDQ/INEC/019/22/14. This is predicated on the evaluation of our party constitution.

“In furtherance to Article 85 of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended) and compliance with Section 12:6 of our party constitution, we hereby write to notify the Commission that our great Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has scheduled to hold its Zonal Congresses on Saturday 26th March, 2022.

“Kindly arrange for your officials to monitor the exercise accordingly.”

The development comes weeks after the party announced that the national convention would hold on February 26.

Speaking on Monday at a media briefing in Abuja, John Akpanudoedehe, national secretary of the APC caretaker committee, said zonal congresses would now be held on March 12.

The zonal congresses would be held alongside preparations for the party’s convention.

“After deliberations and agreement with the national caretaker committee, we have agreed and approved that the activities of the national convention commence from the 24th of February and terminate on the 26th of March,” Akpanudoedehe said.

“The convention activities will commence on February 24 and terminate at Eagle Square on 26th of March. In between the convention, we have agreed to have zonal congresses.”

The development comes days after Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo, had said although there were no plans by the APC to postpone the convention, the date wasn’t sacrosanct.

“That is the decision of the party and there is nothing wrong even if it doesn’t hold. What is important is that we must have our convention,” he had said.

“We have said it’s 26th. If for any reason tomorrow, it’s not doable in the opinion of the party, we will move. But that does not mean that there is any intention to move.”