President Muhammadu Buhari has endorsed February 2022 as the new date for the ruling All Progressives Congress’s National Convention (APC)
Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, confirmed this development to State House correspondents on Monday at the end of a closed-door meeting with President Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The meeting was also attended by the Chairman of the APC Caretaker Committee, Mai Mala Buni, who is also the governor of Yobe, and Gov. Badaru Abubakar of Jigawa, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Bagudu, who did not specify a date for the convention in February, stated that the date was changed because four states had yet to complete their congresses.
“Yesterday, Nov. 21, the Progressive Governors’ Forum met, and we congratulated and thanked the Caretaker Committee for working so hard to lead the party,” he said. We also thanked the President for his assistance in carrying out their mandate.
“I also explained yesterday that the Progressive Governors’ Forum discussed the issue of the party’s national convention, and they mandated us to come and discuss with the President as the party’s leader to give the Governors’ input so that the party and the President will be in agreement.”
“One of the inputs we received yesterday was that we still have four states in the process of completing their congresses, including Anambra, understandably because of the recent gubernatorial election, Zamfara, and two others due to logistical challenges, and then, Christmas is around the corner, and we will be very busy with Ekiti in early January.”
“So, based on all of this, the Governors suggested that the party and the President graciously consider February, and the President is favorably disposed to the suggestion.”
The National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mai Mala Buni, who also spoke about the meeting’s outcome, stated: “Following their meeting, the Progressive Governors’ Forum suggested February to the party, and the President agreed, so we are proceeding to plan for the convention in February.”
“As a result of the upcoming convention, Nigerians should expect greater unity and progress.”
Buni responded to allegations in some quarters that he was delaying the convention in order to extend his tenure as the APC’s Caretaker Chairman.
“Am I a jobless person who is constantly attempting to extend his tenure; to do what?” As Governor, it is my primary responsibility to return to my state and carry out that responsibility.
“What I am here to do is ad hoc and, of course, to reposition the party, which we have done.”