The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Executive Committee (NEC) is gearing up to officially approve the appointments of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje as the national chairman and Senator Ajibola Basiru as the national secretary during its forthcoming meeting.
The decision to appoint Ganduje and Basiru came about unanimously following the resignation of the former chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and the former secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore.
As part of the transition process, the NWC, NEC, and governors have collectively agreed to maintain the pre-existing zoning system for the party leadership to ensure a smooth transition.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to confirm the date of the NEC meeting in response to the NWC’s request.
The Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), chaired by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, expressed their support for Ganduje and Basiru during a meeting held at the Imo State Lodge in Abuja.
Following this, Ganduje and Basiru met with various party officials, including governors and members of the National Caucus.
The decisions of the APC governors and other party blocs will be communicated to the NEC through the National Caucus, of which President Tinubu is a member, before the new chairman and secretary assume their roles after NEC’s official approval.
The election of new national officials is one of the primary objectives of the national convention, as per the party’s constitution.
However, the NEC has the authority to carry out these duties in between conventions.
According to Article 13(ii) of the APC constitution, the national convention holds the party’s ultimate power, including approving party policies and programs, as well as electing or dismissing national officers.
The NEC, as the party’s main executive body, is empowered to call or convene the national convention and set its agenda, as stated in Article 13.3 A (ii) of the constitution.
Moreover, the NEC can fulfill all national convention duties in between the conventions, as allowed by the party’s constitution.
Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the two-time governor of Kano State, is a well-known figure within the party and the nation, having served as the deputy governor of Kano State between 1999 and 2003 and again from 2011 to 2015.
Senator Ajibola Basiru, an accomplished legal professional with a doctorate in law, formerly held positions as the attorney-general and commissioner for justice in Osun State, as well as commissioner for special duties.
He was also the Senate’s spokesperson and was elected to the 9th Senate from the Osun Central District in 2019.
The departure of Senator Abdullahi Adamu and Senator Iyiola Omisore came amid accusations of lack of accountability and exclusive leadership.
They were also alleged to have neglected to hold regular NWC meetings, disregarded the party constitution concerning the NEC, and marginalized crucial party organs.
Stakeholders expressed no concerns about their departure, particularly in light of the allegations highlighted in the party’s audit report.
Salihu Lukman, the national vice chairman of the APC for the northwest, stated in Abuja that Adamu’s voluntary resignation was not surprising, citing the party’s inability to tolerate treacherous and subversive leadership.
While Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Deputy National Chairman (North), has temporarily assumed the role, party stakeholders have decided to elect new leaders without disrupting the North/South zoning arrangement.
