Peaceful ward congress douses tension in Kaduna, as Oyo commences own today

*El-Rufai commends orderly conduct of APC ward congress in Kaduna

Alhaji Abubakar Rilwanu, the Zonal Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Kaduna North Senatorial District, has described Saturday’s peaceful and successful APC Ward congress as a signal to its victory in 2019.

Rilwanu made the remark in Zaria, Kaduna State, on Sunday.

He lauded the party members for exhibiting high sense of decorum before, during and after the congress.

“This had sent signal to the world that there is unity and understanding amongst the party members.

“I must commend people for their resilience, courage and understanding.

“Many party members came out enmasse to elect credible people that will lead the party in this zone.

“I must also commend the media and security agencies for their support,” he said.

Rilwanu appealed to the elected officials to carry all members along by ensuring justice and fairness for all.

He added that people did not voted them for their personal benefits but for party’s growth and societal advancement.

He advised electorate to ensure that they elect credible candidates in 2019 that will project the image of the party in particular and the society at large.

“There is every need for the elected officials to lead people justly to move both the party and the society forward.”

The May 5 APC ward congress was conducted peacefully across Kaduna North Senatorial District.

…Oyo’s rescheduled congress commences

The ward congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) commenced in some local governments across Oyo State on Sunday.

The congress was only being carried out in wards where intending members had obtained their nomination forms on Saturday from the APC National Congress Committee led by Alhaji Musa Halilu-Ahmed.

As at the time of filing this report, the congress was ongoing in wards across Ibarapa, Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso and Ibadan Zones.

At the Ward 9 Ibadan North Local Government Council congress which held at C&S New Eden Primary School, Mokola, members were sighted casting their votes while party officials monitored proceedings.

Our correspondent, who also visited the Ward 4 Ibadan North Local Government Council congress holding at CAC School, Oje-Igosun, reports that the exercise was going on peacefully.

Rep. Abiodun Olasupo(APC-Iseyin/Kajola/Itesiwaju/Iwajowa), who spoke to NAN on the sidelines of the exercise, expressed satisfaction with the conduct of  the  congress in his constituency, saying there had been no hitches so far.

The congress earlier slated for Saturday was shifted to Sunday by the committee due to the initial violence recorded at the APC  secretariat.

NAN reports that suspected hoodlums had invaded the stakeholders’ meeting holding at the  secretariat, forcing the Halilu-Ahmed-led committee to shift the exercise to  Sunday.

Halilu-Ahmed, who had insisted that an elective ward congress must hold as stipulated in the party’s constitution, shifted the congress after consulting with stakeholders.

He consequently distributed forms to intending members on presentation of tellers for the payment of the stipulated fee.

The committee chairman had stated that only intending members,  who had  paid the stipulated fee and obtained the forms, would participate in the congress.

There, however, seems to be a division in the state chapter of the APC as it was gathered that members loyal to Gov. Abiola Ajimobi did not pay the stipulated fee and did not obtain the nomination forms.

El-Rufai commends orderly conduct of APC ward congress in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has commended the orderly conduct of congresses held to elect ward officials for the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

APC held congresses across the 36 states and Abuja on Saturday.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Samuel Aruwan, on Saturday, Mr El-Rufai gave the applaud after participating in the congress at his Ungwan Sarki ward.

The governor said party members and other notable personalities across the 255 wards in the state have worked together to deliver a very satisfactory outcome.

“I am receiving reports from all the 255 wards showing that the new APC leadership in the wards are emerging in a peaceful and orderly manner. It is an impressive exercise in democracy at the local level.

“There are no adverse reports from any part of the state. The reports indicate that things are going well. All the stakeholders are working together to bring about a strong leadership for the party at the ward level.

“The Kaduna APC will continue to wax stronger as a united party, whose members are loyal to its constitution, and are committed to the goal of serving our people,” he said.