*As Jigawa Governor Badaru made Convention Committee Chairman
*Says, ‘Convention, I will give contestants level playing ground’
*I congratulate my party, Governor Badaru – Tinubu
“God is with us and God will continue to support us because of our clear vision, our good heart and our love for the people of Nigeria. We all know that our leader has no business in running this government except for the care of our people. Most of us you see in APC are in the party today to serve our people. Our mission in APC is to rescue the country from near collapse we saw around 2014 and 2015,” Gov Badaru
The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has inaugurated a 68-member National Convention Committee headed by Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Abubakar Badaru.
The committee was inaugurated early Tuesday at the National Secretariat of the Party in Abuja to take charge of the conduct of the forthcoming convention at national and congresses at other levels in the country.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Chief Odigie-Oyegun alerted his party members of a wiser Nigerian voting population and the need to brace up for stiff contest in 2019.
Oyegun, who cautioned against a complacent ‘ruling party’ posture, said the leadership is ever committed and dedicated “to make sure that this party is out in political fighting mood for the 2019 elections.”
Noting that the coming general elections will be tough, he told the APC 2018 National Convention Committee that the party must not cuddle itself with false sense of being the party in power, adding that the Convention Committee should ensure that the outcome of the exercise reunites APC members.
His word: “I am passing the buck over to you today. At the end of this exercise, I want to see a reunited APC under whatever leadership your exercise brings up.
“We have a tough election ahead of us and we must prime ourselves for that election. We must not cuddle ourselves with any false sense of being the party in power.
“Our population today is much more aware of their rights than they have ever been before. So, as you proceed, please ensure that all these views and opinions are brought together into a one United APC.
“The task that you have undertaken to perform is a heavy and tough one. The APC is known, in spite of induced controversies, for the cleanest primaries and congresses. Our last presidential primary was by all account one of the best ever held and I dare say, anywhere.
“It was a Convention that was watched worldwide and you are supposed to repeat the feat. I have no doubt that this one, given the controversies that has preceded it will also be a most watched Convention. So, you have the task of producing a Convention that is free, fair and provides a level playing field for anybody who wants to aspire to any position.”
Speaking on how prepared is APC ahead of the 2019 general elections, Oyegun assured that APC is poised for an encore.
“The signs are clear that this is a living party, the signs are clear that this is a vibrant party. The signs are clear that this is a party whose leadership are committed and dedicated to make sure that this party is out in political fighting mood for them 2019 elections.”
Responding, the Convention Chairman and Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Badaru assured that “the Committee and l will give all the contestants a level playing ground.”
Badaru, who said President Muhammadu Buhari has no business in running the government except for the care of our people, added that APC’s mission was to rescue the country.
“God is with us and God will continue to support us because of our clear vision, our good heart and our love for the people of Nigeria. We all know that our leader has no business in running this government except for the care of our people.
“Most of us you see in APC are in the party today to serve our people. Our mission in APC is to rescue the country from near collapse we saw around 2014 and 2015.”
In the meantime, All Progressives Congress National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on Monday congratulated his party for embarking on the congresses against all odds, saying that it is the way to go in building and upholding a truly democratic political party.
Tinubu said this in a congratulatory message to the newly inaugurated APC National Convention Committee.
The message was released by his Media Officer, Mr Tunde Rahman, in Lagos.
A 68-member National Convention Committee headed by Gov. Abubakar Badaru, was inaugurated today in Abuja at the national secretariat of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The committee was inaugurated to take charge of the conduct of the forthcoming congresses and national convention.
“I congratulate the Chairman and members of the Congresses/Convention Committee of our party.
“Gov. Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State, who is the chairman of the committee, is a man reputed to be of high character and integrity.
“Working with other members of the committee, I’m persuaded that our party would conduct hitch-free congresses at all levels and the national convention.
“I also congratulate our party for embarking on the congresses against all odds. This is the way to go if we are desirous of building and upholding a truly democratic political party.
“Our ultimate goal should be the greater interest of the party.
“I believe that all members of our party are high in expectation that the committee would perform its assignment without fear or favour through which our party can be great again,” he said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on April 18, announced that its National Convention to elect officers for a new term in the party’s leadership would hold on May 14.
According to schedule of activities released by the Organising Secretary, Sen. Osita Izunaso, in Abuja, the party’s Ward Congresses will hold on May 2, while appeal that may arise from the conduct will be entertained on May 3.
The schedule showed that local government area congresses would hold on May 5, with appeal arising from the exercise fixed for May 7.
It indicated that May 9 is the date for congress at states’ level to elect executive committees of the party in all states in the country.
It fixed May 10 for hearing of appeal that may arise from the conduct of the state congresses.
