The All Progressives Congress (APC) boat was listing badly in the turbulent sea of Nigerian politics. Leaks were springing from underneath and it was taking in more water than the party Disciples could bail in time. Finally, they cried out: “Master! Master! Save us!!!” But the Master was knocked out cold by, as some say, the same people who’d scuttled the boat just before it set sail. The situation seemed dire. Just as all hopes seemed lost and the Disciples were steeling themselves for eternity in the watery embrace of the sea, the Master miraculously roused himself from the stupor of coma and donned his superhero cape.
On March 27, 2018 at the national headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, President Muhammadu Buhari stood ram-rod straight and before all the party faithful assembled declared: “enough is enough”. These words, like magic sealed most of the cracks in the ranks of the APC. The sea was calmed and the Disciples sang the Master’s praise to heavens high. The boat sailed relatively steady once again.
That fateful meeting and numerous other side meetings since then set off a chain of events including highly contentious ward, local government and State congresses; and finally to the denouement of the National Convention of the APC holding in the ‘Maracana’ for political gathering in Nigeria-Eagle Square, Abuja this Saturday. The main item on the agenda for the Convention will be the election of members into a fresh National Working Committee (NWC) that will lead the APC into the fierce political battle ahead that is the 2019 general elections in Nigeria.
Heading into the National Convention, the party has adopted the zoning formula and 8, 600 delegates are expected to decide who will fill the 21 positions up for grabs in the National Working Committee of the party. The most coveted post of National Party Chairman has been zoned to the South-south. Other NWC seats to be contested are Deputy National Chairman (North), Deputy National Chairman (South); National Secretary, National Organizing Secretary, National Women Leader and Vice National Chairmen (one each from the six geopolitical regions). The remaining NWC posts to be decided by the party delegates at the Convention are those of National Youth Leader, National Legal Adviser; National Treasurer, National Financial Secretary, National Publicity Secretary, National Auditor, Deputy National Secretary, National Welfare Secretary and Special National Leader (a position created for party members with disabilities).
The battle for the position of National Chairman was expected in the days leading to the APC Convention to be hotly contested judging from the calibre of persons interested in the position but following a gale of withdrawals and ‘stepping downs’, the contest has become a dead rubber between former Edo State Governor and foremost labour union leader, Comrade Adams Oshiomole and Comrade Adams Oshiomole. You read correctly.
While there have been, among some aspirants for the NWC and National Officers positions especially those who were members of the outgoing NWC, some anxiety over a so-called ‘Unity List’ being prepared by party Leaders with their favoured candidates, the official line from the APC Convention Organizing Committee is that there is nothing like a Unity List and that all candidates will be given a level playing ground come June 23rd. All eyes will be on the Convention Organizing Committee on Saturday to see whether they live up to this pledge.
For those who like front row seats to unfolding political drama, there is a buzz in the air that one is in the offing during the National Convention of the APC come Saturday. Rumour is rife that members of the nPDP, a faction of the former ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which broke away spectacularly during the 2014 National Convention of the Party to join then newly-formed APC are planning another “Runaway Bride” moment during Saturday’s Convention. Already, the spokesman for the group, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje has confirmed their attendance at Saturday’s APC Convention. Will they flee again or say their marriage vows this time around? This is another reason, if you need one, to follow closely events as they unfold on Saturday.
For most progressive Nigerian youths, one NWC position that will surely elicit the most interest is that of National Publicity Secretary where popular blogger, Usman Abubakar Siddiq (Mr Abu Siddiq) will be vying to win the coveted office -made hallow by the inimitable Alhaji Lai Mohammed- of APC spokesman. For many, the success or failure of Mr. Abu Siddiq’s bid in Saturday’s Convention will serve as a veritable measure of commitment by the APC towards the #NotTooYoungToRun Bill recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The stage is set for one of the most crucial events in the annals of the APC. Whatever be the outcome, it is safe to say that the APC will probably never be the same again as it heads toward the 2019 general elections. One can only hope, for the party sake, that the time-honoured principle of internal democracy as canvassed by President Buhari and the National leader of the Party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is respected and allowed to reign supreme come Saturday.
– ‘Din Shehu is a political analyst and Communications consultant. He tweets from the handle @dinstots
