All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje yesterday promised to reposition the platform for growth and victory in future polls.
He spoke in Abuja shortly after he was elected as the sixth chair of the 10-year-old party during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.
Also endorsed as the Secretary is Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru.
Basiru was the spokesman of the ninth Senate, representing Osun West. A consummate lawyer and former Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice in Osun, Basiru holds a Ph.D. in Law.
Ganduje replaced Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, while Basiru replaced Sen. Iyiola Omisore. Both of them resigned last month.
The NEC was also empowered to fill the remaining six vacant party positions during the meeting presided over by the former acting chairman, Senator Abubakar Kyari. Kyari’s Deputy Chairman (North) position is also vacant, having been nominated for a ministerial position and screened by the Senate.
Five other positions in the National Working Committee (NWC) are vacant due to ministerial nominations and resignations.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the party leader, who attended the meeting, enjoined the leaders to support his administration in its bid to fulfil his campaign promises.
Read Also: 10 things to know about new APC chairman Ganduje
He said the policies being rolled out by his administration are not meant to punish Nigerians.
Tinubu reaffirmed that the February 25 election that brought him into office is one of the freest ever conducted in the country.
Benue State Governor Hyacint Alia urged Ganduje to work for the unity and stability of the party.
Since he assumed office on May 29, Tinubu has introduced policies that have been criticised by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP).
Some of the Federal Government’s bold policies include the unification of exchange rates and the removal of petrol subsidy, which has resulted in the high price of commodities and transportation.
Tinubu said his administration intended to tackle Nigeria’s problems “squarely” without inflicting hardship on citizens.
He said: “We will face it squarely to re-engineer the economy of this country.
“We must find a way to satisfy the yearnings of the common man and we must ensure that all the policies we roll out work for the common man. Our policies are for the people not to punish the people.
“Yes we are facing challenges in the court, but I think this is the most credible election in Nigeria.
“So, we must congratulate ourselves. As democrats, those who cannot accept the results of a free and fair election do not deserve the joy of victory.
“There are governance issues and we are taking it heads on. We must oil the wheel and grease it and we are.
“I have submitted ministerial lists to the Senate for screening and approval. We are in the process of establishing fully the government of the people, for the people and by the people.”
Ganduje promised to promote unity and sustain the winning capacity of the party so that it can have more governors and lawmakers at the state and national levels.
He said: “Under my watch, internal democracy will be strictly adhered to with a deliberate policy to engage in wider consultations and make party functional throughout the year.
“More reforms will be carried out in the party in alignment with the current political landscape
“We all agreed that we must unite our members to achieve support for our government to respond adequately, urgently and assertively to the challenges that Nigerians confront daily.
“The challenges include unemployment, poverty, insecurity, social cohesion and the rising cost of living.
“I want to make a special appeal to Nigerians to bear with the President at this trying moment, considering that the country’s economy has been in shambles for years.
“I believe the policies and programmes to be unveiled by Mr President when his administration fully takes shape will surely turn around things for the better.
“Our party must remain rooted among the people, must demonstrate a willingness to serve and make sacrifices, and must be willing to acknowledge and address our weaknesses.”
Reiterating his readiness for effective leadership, Ganduje said: “It’s a huge privilege and an honour and a great responsibility to take on this job and I will do it with everything I have to the best of my ability for my party and my country.
“We will ensure a level playing field for all party members who want to contest elections on the party’s platform. Our primary elections would be free, transparent and fair.
“Let me also use this opportunity to call on members of our party and all the people of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states to close ranks and ensure that the APC wins in the forthcoming governorship elections.”
NEC cedes power to NWC
Before bowing out, Kyari said in line with Article 13(2) of the APC Constitution, the NEC had ceded its powers to the NWC to fill the six vacant positions in the administrative organ of the party.
The vacant positions are National Deputy Chairman (North), National Vice Chairman (North West), National Legal Adviser, National Women Leader, National Welfare Secretary and Deputy National Publicity Secretary.
The NEC also appointed new External Auditors to audit party accounts.
President Tinubu requested the NEC to cede its power to the NWC to fill the positions, following a motion moved by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, seconded by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, who is also chair of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF).
The President noted that during the last NEC meeting of April 20, 2022, it had ceded some of its powers to NWC for smooth party operations, thanking the party organ for effectively utilising that mandate.
Kyari said the ruling party was conscious of its new challenges.
Paying tribute to the founding members, he said the party had achieved significant milestones and made a positive impact on Nigerians since its establishment 10 years ago.
He congratulated the President, the Vice President and other elected party members on their victory, describing the recent election of President Tinubu as chair of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Government as a foreign policy triumph for Nigeria.
He promised that the party would continue to stand with the President, “no matter the complexities of the challenges ahead.”
Vote of Confidence in INEC over 2023 polls
Uzodimma raised an issue of national importance, accusing the opposition of blackmailing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the outcome of the last general election.
He also alleged that the opposition was responsible for the controversial European Union (EU) report on the election and the recent incitement of members of the public against the judiciary over the ongoing cases at the tribunals.
Moving a vote of confidence motion on the electoral body, Uzodimma said well-meaning Nigerians should condemn the opposition for unnecessarily attempting to overheat the polity.
The motion, which was unanimously passed, was seconded by the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Kwara State Governor AbdulRaham AbdulRasaq.
At the NEC meeting were Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senator Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, governors, members of the NWC, former Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, lawmakers and state chairmen.
Abbas hails Ganduje, Basiru
House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas congratulated Ganduje and Basiru, wishing them a successful tenure.
He said Ganduje will take APC to a higher level, noting that the former Kano State governor is a consummate politician with a lot of experience.
He said Ganduje’s emergence is a testament to his years of dedication and commitment to the party.
Abbas said the party has set a great example of internal democracy for other political parties in the country.
He urged the new leaders to unite the party and mobilised support for the Tinubu administration.
As a loyal party member, the Speaker said he looked forward to working with the new national chairman and the entire members of the APC NWC.
Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, also lauded Ganduje and Basiru on their emergence.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, Barau said with Ganduje in charge, the ruling party would be repositioned and strengthened for the benefit of all its members.
The lawmaker added that with the vast experience of the former Kano governor, the conflict resolution mechanism of the APC would be enhanced to reduce internal wrangling.
“His Excellency is coming on board with enormous experience spanning decades in politics and governance.
“With him piloting the affairs of our party, internal democracy would prevail,” the statement said.
Northern governors: we have confidence in Ganduje
Gombe State Governor and Chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum Inuwa Yahaya said an opportunity has been bestowed on Ganduje and Basiru to continue their services to the party.
Inuwa, in a statement by his Director General, Press Affairs, Malam Ismaila Uba Misilli, said Ganduje’s election not only reflected his exceptional leadership abilities, but also underscored the trust and confidence reposed in him by the party.
He said: “Your distinguished tenure as the governor of Kano demonstrated your commitment to the welfare of the people and the development of our great party and nation.
“As the newly elected national chairman, you hold a critical position in steering our great party towards a united and prosperous future.
“Your experience and strategic vision will be vital in addressing the challenges ahead and harnessing the collective strength of the APC to bring about positive change for all Nigerians.
“I am confident that under your able guidance, the party will chart a course of progress, inclusivity, and good governance that will resonate with citizens across the country in line with President Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope’ mantra.”
Alia to chairman: unite APC
Alia urged Ganduje to foster unity and stability in the party.
He spoke with reporters after visiting Shettima at the Presidential Villa.
The governor emphasised the need for Ganduje and Bashir to promote national unity in the country.
He said: “We call on them to work for the unity of the party, unity of the nation, and to continue the hard work that was done in the past.
“We need continuity. We have this regime of Renewed Hope. We all have to make our nation continually great. And it’s nothing less that is expected of the new leadership.”
Basiru’s election sparks jubilation in Osogbo
Osogbo, capital of Osun State and hometown of Basiru went agog when the news filtered in that he had been elected to the exalted position.
APC members in Osogbo and Olorunda Local Government Areas converged on Oja-Oba, near Ataoja of Osogbo’s palace and marched through Station Road, Post Office, Orisunbare, Ola-Iya, Aregbe, after which they terminated the walk at the state party secretariat in Ogo-Oluwa.
State Secretary Kamarudeen Alao described Basiru’s emergence as a plus for the chapter.
He said: “The choice of Basiru by the national leadership showed that the party has not abandoned its progressive ideology.
“Basiru understands party politics and the concept of good governance. He will liaise effectively with elected public officials to ensure that the party manifesto is not jettisoned. We also commended President Tinubu for nominating ex-governor Adegboyega Oyetola as Minister.
“We commend Chief Bisi Akande, former governor Gboyega Oyetola for their tenacity and support for the former senator, we are sure the party will move to higher ground both at the national level and state.”
Similarly, the former Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Olalekan Badmus, congratulated the new leadership.
To Basiru, he said: “Your success in succeeding Senator Omisore, another remarkable figure from our great State of Osun, is a testament to your abilities and the trust placed in you by the leadership of our party.
“Your elevation to such a prestigious position reflects your outstanding capabilities, values, and commitment to the betterment of our party and our nation.”
PDP criticises Ganduje’s choice
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chided the APC for making Ganduje chairman. It spoke through a statement by its national secretary Debo Ologunagba.