Barring any last-minute change, 29 of the elective offices up for grab at today’s first elective National Convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), will be thrown open to aspirants.
THISDAY gathered that conflict of interests among key stakeholders of the party led to the death of the consensus plan aimed at ensuring an easy and rancour-free election.
After series of consultations failed to secure an endorsement for a consensus list of aspirants yesterday, the party asked each zone to go and draw up its own unity list which will be harmonised at the convention venue.
However, the immediate past governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, was confirmed for the chairmanship position, following the withdrawal of his opponents – Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, Clement Ebri and Chief Ibrahim Emokpaire.
As a result of the failed “unity list”, about 160 aspirants will slug it out for 29 seats in the National Working Committee while aspirants for the 21 NWC positions will be returned unopposed.
Three aspirants will contest for the position of National Secretary. They are the incumbent, Mai Mala Buni, Kashim Imam, Waziri Bulama and Abdulrahaman Terab.
Out of the about 160 aspirants, 17 are from the South-east alone and they are contesting for the three NWC positions of National Vice Chairman, National Organising Secretary and National Auditor.
The aspirants for the Organising Secretary’s position include the incumbent, Osita Izunaso (South-east caucus); Emma Ibediro (Governor Okorocha’s candidate); Chidi Nwogu (from Okadigbo Rainbow Coalition) Longinus Anyanwu (from anti-Okorocha’s group).
For the National Publicity Secretary’s position, the incumbent, Bolaji Abdulahi will battle Lanre Issa Onilu and Abu Sidik Meseko.
Contestants for the National Woman Leader’s position are the incumbent, Ramatu Aliyu and Salmatu Bawa.
Meanwhile, Abuja is agog with about 6,800 delegates and thousands of other dignitaries, party men and women, camped in various hotels across the city.
