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As the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) prepares for its national convention, claims and counter claims on zoning of key positions of the party have continued to generate issues.

This is, even as, many heavyweights and pressure groups within the party have also relentlessly proposed one system or the other, intended to scheme other groups or bloc, with some working to sabotage the convention entirely.

For the ruling party and the convention planning committee led by Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, it is one day, three dramas – one for morning, one for afternoon and another in the evening, as days draw close to the convention.

The convention has been fixed for Saturday 26th February, 2022 with six top contenders, all from the north, gunning for the number one seat of the party.

Those frontliners are former Governors, serving Senators, serving Minister and others.

For umpteenth times, rumours have gathered that the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) had zoned certain positions and for umpteenth times, Governor Buni had countered it, saying, the committee had not concluded on any zone to produce any position.

A front page story of a leading national newspaper of Thursday, February 17, 2022, with the headline, ‘Finally, APC Governors Reach Consensus, Zone Chairmanship To North Central’; stated that the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) met in Abuja on Wednesday and agreed to zone the number one seat to North Central, while zoning the Deputy National Chairman (DNC) and National Secretary Positions to the South.

Though the paper never mentioned in particular, names of those in attendance that could have taken such vital decision on behalf of the party, it only said a source close to the Governors who did not want his name mentioned.

According to the “source”, the Governors also micro-zone the chairmanship to Benue State and tipped Buhari’s Minister on Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator George Akume.

But a simple fact check by this newspaper on Thursday morning, suggested that the Progressive Governors did not conclude on zoning the positions.

“Yes, they (Governors) met but they could not resolve on the zoning. Although many who spoke were in support of zoning the chairmanship position to North Centre, but it was not concluded yet.

“It is after they have convinced the southern Governors and they have accepted it that we can say the PGF has zoned the position. If anyone tells you anything otherwise, let him mention the names of the Governors in that meeting and also mention whoever addressed the press. In such meetings, the Chairman of the PGF would address the press and open up on the decision of his forum. But for now, nothing like that”, a close source at the PGF hinted.

Also, a source at the CECPC who prefers to be anonymous, said, though the PGF has the right to suggest to the planning committee or proffer advice, just like any other group or organ in the party; but the Governors had not written to the Committee on anything zoning.

“I understand their Tuesday’s meeting on zoning ended in deadlock, so don’t let anyone deceive you. Come to think of it, why would they zone a position to North Central and sat there immediately and picked only one aspirant, is Akume the only aspirant from North Central? Why would they ask those from the South to go home and meet with aspirants and bring candidates for DNC and Secretary, but in the case of chairmanship, they said they have picked a particular person.

“I don’t believe such cock and bull story  and I think nobody would even believe it. We have channels of communication in our party. APC is a ruling party that has everything, the Progressive Governors that I know, are very experienced and principled. They would not want to send such a sensitive message to the CECPC via a page of newspaper.

“They have the right, like any other organs of the party, to advise the planning committee, but nothing like that has happened. We are working diligently to see that the convention holds and with a credible outing too”, the source added.

Edwin Ochogwu, a House of Assembly aspirant from Benue State, on his part, told this newspaper that, “the PGF is divided into 3 to 4 camps and the news could be the latest mischief by one of the groups to deceive other members of the PGF and the general public”.

Already, the proposed national convention has been a subject of controversy for the past few weeks, with some calling for its postponement, amidst crises at state chapters and Court suits.

As at now, several persons are in court, either at the state levels and national, trying to stop the convention.

The Kogi State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress has been inaugurated with the newly elected Executives called upon to sustain its winning streak.

Performing the swearing in and inauguration ceremony at the State Secretariat of the Party today, Gov. Yahaya Bello described the APC in Nigeria and the State as the Party to beat in the forthcoming 2023 General Election.

Gov. Bello who was represented at the swearing in ceremony by his Deputy, Chief Edward Onoja, urged the newly sworn in Executive Members to see their Election as a call to more service and to do more in sustaining the feats achieved by the Party, pointed out that their reelection is a justification of the confidence reposed on them.

Gov. Bello congratulated the new Executive Members urged to strive towards unity the party from the state to the polling units levels.

He urged them to make unity and oneness the bedrocks of their deliberations, described Kogi State as a State that is focused on unity and oneness to continue to maintain its win streak.

The Governor described the Party as supreme, urged the newly Inaugurated executive members not to jump protocols, insisting that the Parry’s heirarchy remains sacrosanct.

In an opening remarks, Alh. Abdullahi Bello, assured that the APC in the remains the Party to beat having captured the State in previous elections, appealed to the newly elected Executives to live above board

He urged the new executive members at all levels to carry along all party members, commended the immense support of Gov. Yahaya Bello for recognizing hardwork, promised to remain faithful and loyal to the ideals of the Party and that of Gov. Yahaya Bello.

Alh. Abdullahi Bello maintained that for now there is no opposition party in Kogi State, tasked the new executive members to bring in more members into the Parry’s fold ahead 2023.

Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has met with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja to discuss national issues and the nation’s state of security.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr Onogwu Muhammed, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, in Abuja.

According to Muhammed, Bello and President Buhari have detailed discussions on politics and security.

“The governor, in his usual concern for matters relating to governance and security, was at the villa for progressive talks with the President.

“They shared ideas and also reached certain conclusions that I won’t want to disclose for confidentiality purposes,” Muhammed stated.

Bello lauded the President’s efforts in curbing insecurity in the Northwest, adding that the people of the zone would soon start reaping the dividends of those efforts.

Muhammed also noted that Buhari received the governor with joy.

He noted that Bello is one of the leading aspirants seeking to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023 and he has enjoyed support from different groups across the country.

He stated that earlier in January, no fewer than 600 women groups, drawn from different parts of the country converged in Abuja for a solidarity walk for Governor Bello to run for presidential election. (NAN)

The Chief of Staff to Alhaji Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Pharm. Jamiu Asuku has called on Nigerian youths to embrace and support Governor Yahaya Bello for 2023 presidency.

Asuku stated this on Saturday in Gombe when the North East chapter of Rescue Nigeria Mission (RENMISS) – a youth support group agitating for good and youthful governance converged to call on Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state to contest the 2023 Presidential election.

Asuku said the youths must began to look inward and supports their own vying for political positions in the next year general election.

The Chief of Staff said there was a need for the youths to rally around the presidential aspiration of the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, saying he was the one that could put the country into proper shape.

He said, “Governor Yahaya Bello is the only one who will provide purposeful leadership and good governance if elected as President in the 2023 general elections.”

He said no where in the length and breadth of the country as any one place emphasis on youths in governance, “Anyone, like Governor Yahaya Bello who has given women and young people the platform to be the drivers in their own affairs, will perform well if elected into an exalted office.”

The Chief of Staff, though representing the governor said Bello presidency is one that will benefit the youths tremendously.

He said the governor aspiration is for the youths who formed the fulcrum of the country’s development fulcrum.

“I must appreciate the efforts of the various groups standing up to fight for a better Nigeria in 2023.

At this stage, we must come to the reality that their is the need to have a youthful candidate who has the capacity to lead this country out of her present challenges – Governor Yahaya Bello thicked the right boxes in this regards.”

He emphasized that the governor has also broken the barrier of ethnic jingoism in the state, and has shown himself as a pan Nigeria man in his appointment that cut across different tribal groups, coupled with the capacity he displayed in tackling insecurity.

The national Coordinator of the group A.S Damat who led other Youth leaders across the Northeast in his remark commended the Governor for his giant strides in infrastructural development, security, education, women and youth inclusiveness among several others.

They endorsed Governor Yahaya Bello as the only candidate fit and capable to lead Nigeria out of the numerous challenges been faced by the country.

The Special Adviser to Kogi state Governor on Youth and Students Affairs, Comr. Ahmadu Jibril who gave the opening remark highlighted the achievements of the Governor, from infrastructures to health, youth and women empowerment, education, security and mostly his handling of the covid 19 crisis that crumbled the world economy.