Follow Us on Google
…As women stakeholders purchase forms for Woman Leader
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and an aspirant for the party’s forthcoming national convention have clashed over refusal to issue expression of interest and nomination forms.
The aspirant for the position of the party’s National Secretary, Oyiborume Paul Yovwe, had lamented the refusal of relevant department to issue him party’s nomination forms despite paying the required fee ahead of the party’s national convention scheduled for 27 and 28 this month.
Speaking to newsmen at the national headquarters of the party, he explained that after paying the required fee for the position and presenting his payment teller to the party’s financial department for confirmation and issuance of an official receipt, he was denied such request.
Displaying the payment documents, he claimed that party officials declined to convert his teller to a receipt after informing him that the National Secretariship position had already been zoned and assigned to a particular individual.
The aspirant who hail from Delta state further alleged that he was clearly informed that the position had been reserved for the party’s current National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, who hails from Osun State.
“I went to the financial department to clear my payment and convert the teller to a receipt, but they refused. When I asked why, I was told that the form for the position of National Secretary had already been assigned to one person,” he said.
Yovwe further described the development as unfair, questioning how a serving party official could allegedly be guaranteed a position without an open contest.
“How can someone be a judge in his own case? This is the ruling party and a national convention is coming up, yet aspirants are not being allowed to obtain forms or campaign,” he lamented.
Other News
Responding, a source close to the National Working Committee (NWC) explained that it was part of NEC’s resolution not to make the convention as an open contest, arguing: “there is definitely no need for an aspirant from the South South to contest a position already zones to the South West.”
“The position zoned to the South South is the National Publicity Secretary which was microzoned to Delta State not the National Secretary. So, why is he complaining of the refusal to get the nomination forms?”
In a quick official reaction from the party’s leadership, the NWC, in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, confirmed the existing zoning arrangements.
“As contained in the published APC 2026 Schedule of Nationwide Congresses, National Convention, and Related Activities, the existing zoning arrangement for NWC positions across states within the geopolitical zones remains valid and applicable to the upcoming for National Convention.
“Accordingly, aspirants purchasing and submitting expression of interest and nomination forms for national offices ahead of the national convention are advised to be STRICTLY GUIDED by the existing zoning arrangement,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, women stakeholders drawn from across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have demonstrated overwhelming support for the APC National Women Leader, Mary Alile-Idele, by purchasing her nomination forms.
The stakeholders, under the auspices of the Renewed Hope Women’s Network, in a coordinated show of solidarity and confidence in her leadership, contributed the sum of N2.6 million to secure the forms on her behalf, reaffirming their desire for her to continue in office.
Presenting the cheque to the APC National Women Leader at the party’s secretariat, the stakeholders described Mary Alile-Idele as a tested mobilizer, inclusive leader, and strategic builder of party structures whose tenure has strengthened women’s participation, expanded grassroots mobilization for the APC, and actively propagated the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu across the country.
“As women party stakeholders from across the country, we believe strongly that leadership must be sustained where it is delivering results. Dr. Mary Alile-Idele has demonstrated capacity, commitment, and vision, and we are proud to stand firmly behind her,” they stated.
