The National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will hold on February 26 as scheduled, the party has confirmed.
By Emma Ogbuehi
The February 26 date for the convention was contained in a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party in fulfillment of the statutory 21-day notice to the electoral body for the exercise.
The letter was delivered Thursday morning at the headquarters of the electoral body.
The development has finally laid to rest speculations in the media that the CECPC was scheming to shift the date.
The letter dated 2nd February, 2022, signed by the Chairman of CECPC, Gov Mai Mala Buni and Secretary, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, reads in part:
“Follow up to our letter referenced APC/NHDQ/INEC/19/021/40 dated 11 July 2021 on the NOTICE FOR THE CONDUCT OF NATIONAL CONVENTION.
“This is to inform the Commission that our great Party has scheduled to hold its National Convention on Saturday, 26% February 2022.
“This serves as a formal notification under the provisions of Section 85 of the Electoral Act (2010) as amended.
READ ALSO:
APC national convention holds February 26 – Buni
Buni, had in January, announced February 26th as the date for the convention. He made the announcement at the first-ever National Progressive Women’s Conference in Abuja, declaring that with 41 million registered members, APC will win the 2023 elections.
The date for the national convention of the party has been a major issue among contending tendencies in it fold. At some point, it was insinuated that because of the confusion in the party occasioned by the convention date, the exercise had been shifted to hold some time around June.
But in alluding to the February timetable, Buni stated; “We look forward to having more women contesting in the forthcoming national convention of the party from February 26, 2022, and the general election. Now as we approach the convention and move closer to the next general election, I wish to remind you of the progressive roles in supporting progressive-minded leaders, aspiring for various offices for the betterment of our country.
He recalled that the APC under his leadership conducted membership registration and revalidation exercise.
With the official communication to the Independent National Electoral Commission on the matter, the date for the convention has been firmed up.