Abuja: By Our CORRESPONDENT
Published, Friday, August 25, 2023
THEDISPATCH has learned that the filling of vacant positions in the National Working Committee (NWC) of All Progressives Congress (APC) has widened the gap in the party.
According to the sources knowledgeable about the crisis, the newly sworn-in Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Betta Edu was said to play a role in mobilizing protesters to occupy the party’s national secretariat on Thursday, while Governor Bello physically appeared at the National Secretariat, expressing his dissatisfaction and urging a reconsideration of the appointments.
Governor Bello also visited the residence of National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, expressing his strong stance against the appointments.
However, it remains unclear whether he was able to meet with Ganduje.
The planned inauguration of the newly appointed NWC members, initially scheduled for 2pm on Thursday, was postponed to allow the party to engage in dialogue with the dissenting stakeholders.
An insider source provided insight into the reasons for the replacements.
The source told thedispatch late Thursday that Odey-Ekpo’s replacement was attributed to Cross River State already having two ministers in President Tinubu’s cabinet, and therefore, her nomination was redirected to another state.
Similarly, Ismail’s replacement reportedly came as a result of the influence of James Faleke, an ally of President Bola Tinubu.
Our Correspondent further learned that as of 12:00 AM on Friday, efforts to ensure the inauguration of the newly appointed officials were ongoing, with speculations of potential court cases in the aftermath.
The atmosphere remained tense, as party officials and journalists lingered at the National Secretariat late into the night, awaiting the inauguration by the National Chairman.
In another development, thedispatch learned that the appointments announced by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, on Wednesday showed some unexpected changes.
Mary Alile Idele replaced Stella Odey-Ekpo as National Women Leader, Duro Meseko took over as Deputy National Publicity Secretary from Yahaya Ade Ismail, and Donatus Nwankpa replaced Martins Azubuike as National Welfare Officer.
The sudden alteration in the appointments drew dissatisfaction from party stakeholders who expressed dismay at the lack of consultation over these changes.
Reports suggest that Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, are at the forefront of the opposition against the new appointments.
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