It promises to be a fitful four weeks for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) between February and late March as political daggers are being sharpened; with National Leader, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, promising not to succumb blackmail and readying to fight dirty; and the party staggering activities culminating in a national convention on the 26th of March, 2022.
But a lone voice in the wilderness of apparent confusion and the party’s director of publicity, Salisu Na’inna Dambatta, is calling for unity.
Tinubu, on Sunday, vowed to get dirty, if there were plans to halt his presidential ambition in 2023.
According to media reports, he spoke up at a consultation with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, and the Olubadan-elect, Chief Lekan Balogun.
He said no amount of intimidation could stop him from fulfilling his ambition.
He said his visit to Oyo and Ibadan was borne out of his respect for the royal stool, and to seek their blessings, cooperation and prayers to lead the country in 2023.
He said: “No amount of intimidation can stop me. I am ready to get dirty. I am out to become President of Nigeria. We are at the crossroads.”
Speaking earlier at the Alaafin’s palace, he said: “I cannot embark on a project of such magnitude without seeking for prayers and cooperation of the traditional rulers.
“I am here to inform our fathers of my decision to run for the position of the President of this country in 2023. What I need from our highly reverred traditional rulers are their prayers and cooperation.
“Today, by the special grace of God, in Yorubaland unlike before, we have the Vice-President, the Minister of Works, Interior and Sports but we still need more.”
Responding, Oba Adeyemi, who invoked the spirits of his fore-bearers, said his request had been granted.
He said all the ancestors of Yorubaland would work in his favour and answer his prayers.
He, therefore, asked the 10 Oke-Ogun traditional rulers in attendance at the meeting whether they were in support of his decision, and their response was: “We are fully in support.”
At the Olubadan-elect’s residence, the monarch said: “We have known you and we know your antecedent. We know your antecedents as a progressive. You laid the foundation of today’s Lagos. You are the leading light of Nigeria. You contributed to making Nigeria what it is today.
“Without Yoruba, Nigeria will not be what it is today. Nigeria is badly divided. We are looking forward to a Yoruba president who will unite this country. We need a leader that will have a national focus and national acceptability. The road may be rough but by His grace, you will triumph.”
On Tuesday, the Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) announced March 26 for the National Convention of the party.
John Akpanudoedehe National Secretary, CECPC, told newsmen shortly after the committee’s meeting in Abuja that activities for the National Convention would commence on Feb. 24.
“After deliberation and agreement with the CECPC, we have agreed and approved that the activities of the the party’s National Convention will commence on Feb. 24 and terminate on March 26 at Eagle Square with the National Convention.
“In between the convention, we have agreed to have zonal congresses,” he said.
Akpanudoedehe said that the congresses would hold in line with the timetable and schedule of events released by the party.
“On Thursday, Feb.24, publication of zonal committees. On Saturday, Feb.26, meeting of zonal stakeholders.
“From Monday, Feb. 28 to Thursday, March 3, sales of forms for zonal positions. On Saturday, March 5, screening of zonal aspirants.
“On Sunday, March 6, Screening Appeal. On Tuesday, March 8, adoption of screening report.
“On Saturday, March 12, Zonal congresses. Monday, March 14, Zonal congresses appeal.
”Wednesday, March 16, adoption of appeal report,” he said.
“Monday, Feb. 28, Publication of National Convention Sub-
Committees. From Wednesday, March 9 to Friday, March 11, Sales of Forms.
“From Tuesday March 15 to Thursday March 17, screening of aspirants, Saturday, March 19, Screening Appeal. Monday, March 21, adoption of Appeal Report.
“From Thursday, March 24 to Friday, March 25, accreditation. Saturday, March 26, Convention.
“Tuesday, March 29 Convention Appeal. Wednesday, March 30, Adoption of Appeal Report. “Thursday, March 31, Inauguration.”
In his own weigh-in, Dambatta pleaded with the members, leadership and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to close ranks and unite to sustain the nine-year old political party that has been wholehartedly trusted by Nigerians to manage their affairs.
He writes further in an opinion piece on Tuesday: “Unity is essential for the party to remain strong, relevant and successful.
“The APC has had a serious internal crisis which caused change of guards in its leadership at the national and other levels. This led to the establishment of the Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Commitee (CECPC) chaired by the unassuming but politically sagacious Governor of Yobe State, Alhaji Mai Mala Buni.
“The Caretaker Committee worked assidiously with all sincerity and re-energised the party. It now occupies its rightful place and poised to achieve its destiny of positively changing Nigeria and making the country economically strong and secure for self-actualisation by every citizen.
“Somehow, drawing from the second republic political experience, the renewal of Nigeria by APC administrations implies that there will be intra-party and nationwide politics without bitterness, in one country with a common destiny shared by its citizens; and a nation where the redemption of citizens from ignorance, poverty and diseases would be achieved by implementing “free education at all levels, free medical care for all, integrated rural development (through agriculture) and full employment.” These lofty objectives have been upgraded by the APC in its manifesto and are being implemented by the Muhammadu Bauhari-led administration.
“The Buni-led Committe soothed the minds of aggreived members and stakeholders. It reduced internal squabbles and many litigations against the party were withdrawn. The CECPC paid off its debts, procured the building housing its national headquarters and raised its membership base to more than 41, 000, 000 members, all of them fully registered. The Buni-led CECPC won over some serving state governors to its fold, along with federal and state law makers.
“The work done by the Caretaker Committee enhanced the resilience and bolstered the confidence of the party, which has been transformed into the most awesome political machine that is capable of easily winning future general elections in Nigeria.
“The feats of 2015 and 2019 in winning general elections should not breed complacency. It should be a challenge for the party in the sense of meeting the necessity of uniting and working together to sustain the trajectory of victory so that the citizens can continue to benefit from the provision of massive public goods.
“The leadership, stakeholders, members and supporters of the APC owe the country the duty to amicably end any internal disputes. No one wants failed reconciliation. Failure can cause unpleasant consequences in future elections. The fluke win by the opposition in the Federal Capital Territory represents a freak, and definitely, a temporary loss of the three Area Councils by the APC. The temporary setback should serve as a strong warning that a divided house is a weakened house. The APC should avoid becoming a weakened house. It should unite into a solid broom that can sweep away all opponents in any future electoral contests.
“The party was so successful in its electoral outings in 2015 and 2019 because it joined the race as a united entity. The APC now has an unassailable majority in Nigeria’s National Assembly and controls at least 23 state Houses of Assembly. The evidence of its electoral prowess runs thus: it has produced a President for Nigeria for two terms of office; it has 22 state governors out of 36, and 70 Senators out of 109 belong to it. And 234 members of the House of Representatives out of 360 are of the APC; as are 591 members of State Houses of Assembly out of 991, plus hundreds of Councilors and a majority of Chairmen of Local Government Area Councils. This feat can be achieved again and again by a united, solid, APC.”
