APC Elects New Officials In State Congresses Across Nigeria

apc-logoThe All Progressives Congress, APC, on Saturday elected new officials to run the affairs of the party in states across Nigeria. Many of the elected officials were returned through consensus.

In Gombe State, the party elected 31-member executive officers to run the affairs of the party in the state.

The officials were elected during the state congress of the party, which was held at the Gombe Local Government Secretariat of the party.

The election was conducted peacefully.

Announcing the results, the Secretary of the Congress Committee, Baba Madugu, said that the election was conducted through affirmation of “Yes” or “No” votes by the delegates because there was only one contestant in each of the positions.

Mr. Madugu said that Magaji Doho, the Interim Chairman of the party, was elected substantive chairman, while Simon Dauda-Tula emerged Deputy Chairman of the party.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Doho said the executives would go to all the nooks and cranny of the state to mobilise the people to vote for the party in the 2015 general elections to ensure change.

In Yobe, Maimala Buni emerged as the new chairman of the party in the state.

Mr. Maimala and 34 others emerged as the party’s executive council members through a consensus conducted and ratified by about 1, 000 delegates from 178 wards in the state.

Usman Abbas, the party’s returning officer, read out names of the 35-member executive council for adoption and possible objections to the delegates before the commencement of election.

Mr. Abbas said that the constitution of the party provided room for consensus but that the delegates must endorse and elect the candidates before returning them as elected officers.

The election was supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

During the polls, Adamu Chilari was returned as the new Deputy Chairman of the party, while Abubakar Bakabe, emerged as secretary.

From Sokoto State, the results show that Bala Abubakar emerged as Chairman of the party in the state, while Usman Danmadami was returned as Vice Chairman.

Announcing the results, Baba Dalla, who conducted the election on behalf of the national secretariat of the party, also said that Aminu Bello was elected as secretary of the party.

Mr. Dalla said 1,620 delegates attended the congress.

In the FCT, the congress produced Abdulmalik Usman as Chairman.

Speaking to journalists after his election by the 382 delegates who attended the congress, Mr. Usman pledged to promote internal party democracy.

He also promised to provide a level-playing ground to all members irrespective of tribal and religious differences.

The election was conducted under a peaceful atmosphere.

The chairman and other officials were elected through consensus.

Also in Zamfara, 37 officials emerged through consensus at the congress which took place at the Sardauna Memorial Stadium, Gusau.

The Congress Committee Chairman, Hadi Gumel, said the new executives emerged unopposed following the decision of members of the party to conduct a rancour-free congress.

Mr. Gumel said that Lawali Kaura-Namoda was returned as Chairman, while Lawali Bala was elected Deputy Chairman, and Sani Mono emerged as Secretary.

In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman, Lawali Kaura-Namoda, thanked members for the peaceful congress and assured that the new leadership would not fail them.

In Lagos State, the congress elected 35 new executives by consensus.

The State Chairman of the party, Henry Ajomale, and the Deputy Chairman, James Odunbaku, retained their positions.

Wasiu Sanni was elected State Secretary, while Rebecca Ajose emerged as Treasurer.

Dele Kosoko, the Chairman of the Congress Electoral Committee, who announced the results, said the election was conducted in line with the electoral law.

Mr. Kosoko said that the delegates chose the executives on their own and that they were not coerced or forced to make their decisions.

Speaking after the election, Mr. Ajomale thanked the delegates for the trust reposed in them and pledged that the new executives would do all its best to further advance the fortunes of the party in the state.

In Bayelsa, Tiwei Orunimighe emerged as the Chairman of the party during the congress, which was held at the party’s secretariat in Yenagoa.

He charged party members to work in unity, noting that the APC had come to change the face of politics in Bayelsa.

The chairman lauded party members, who he described as law-abiding and peaceful, even in the face of aggression.

The emergence of Orunimighe as the party chairman in the state followed a harmonisation accord adopted by party delegates from the eight local government areas.

Other officers elected include Eddy Julius, Deputy Chairman, and Marlin Daniel as Secretary.

Also in Enugu State, Ben Nwoye emerged the Chairman of the party, while Chris Eze was elected as Secretary of the party.

Others elected include Adolphus Udeh as the Deputy Chairman, while Emecheta Ugwu, Anike Nwoga and Ebere Okoro emerged as vice chairmen of the three senatorial zones of Enugu East, West and North.

Announcing the result, the Chairman of the Congress Committee in the state, Uche Onyeagocha, commended the peaceful conduct of the congress.

In his acceptance speech, the new state Chairman, Mr. Nwoye said the executive would produce credible candidates that would take over the government in the state.

In Oyo State, the Congress returned the Interim Executive members led by Akin Oke as new executives.

Speaking, Governor Abiola Ajimobi hailed the peaceful conduct of the congress.

He said: “I want the winners not to adopt a winner-take-all approach and should be fair to all”.

Similarly, in Kwara, Ishola Balogun-Fulani emerged as the new Chairman of the party, while Yemi Afolayan emerged as the Secretary.

The Secretary of the Congress Committee, Hafiz Damilola, who announced the result, described the election of the new executive as peaceful and orderly.

In his acceptance speech, the new chairman said the new executives would not betray the confidence reposed in them.

The elections took place under heavy security nationwide (NAN)