Caucus, NEC meetings: APC to fix date for non-elective convention, appraise NASS members

From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) will tomorrow, at its National Caucus meeting, consider and settle for a convenient date to organise a non-elective convention in accordance with the party’s constitutional stipulations for a two-year duration, Daily Sun investigations reveal.

Article 25(A)(i) of the APC Constitution specifies that, “The National Convention of the party shall be held in two years at a date, venue and time to be recommended by the National Working Committee (NWC) and approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC), subject to giving statutory notices to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and at least, 14 days’ notice given to members eligible to attend.”

Daily Sun further gathered that the proposed non-elective convention, which is one of the items in the agenda during the National Caucus meeting tomorrow may have laid to rest the speculations and uncertainty over the future of the current national officers of the party.

There have been intense rumours that the future of some members of the NWC may be decided during this week’s Caucus and NEC meeting. But the items on the agenda may have cleared those speculations.

Other memoranda for adoption that would be considered, include the party’s financial and audit reports for the 2022/2023 fiscal year, the budget proposal for 2025, and more importantly, the up-to-date payment of check-off dues by the National Assembly members and federal appointees, who are members of the ruling party.

According to the agenda sourced by Daily Sun, the participants at the meeting will be briefed on the concluded off-cycle gubernatorial elections held since the 2023 general elections in Bayelsa, Kogi, Imo, Edo, and Ondo states, as well as the run-off elections, and briefing on preparation for the November 8, Anambra State governorship election.

The agenda for the Caucus meeting also have consideration of standing committees, a presentation on the establishment of The Progressive Institute (TPI), membership e-registration and a report from the national legal adviser over the various litigations involving the ruling party still pending at some courts of law.

Members expected at the caucus meeting include the party’s national chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who will lead other nine NWC members, comprising deputy national chairman for North and South, national secretary, legal adviser, treasurer, organising secretary, women leader, youth leader, and leader of persons living with disabilities.

Others expected are former President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan and his deputy, Ovie Omo-Agege, past and incumbent state governors and former national chairmen and secretaries of the ruling party.