National chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, at the weekend inaugurated six newly elected members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and a zonal organising secretary with a charge to ensure unity among the rank and file of party leaders and members.
Speaking shortly after the inauguration Friday night at the NWC Hall of the party’s national secretariat, Ganduje said unity is the only way to provide the desired political leadership for the country.
The NWC had earlier in the week announced the nominations of its new members, a development that sparked protests from the Cross River, Kogi and Abia chapters of the party.
Women groups from Cross River, Edo as well as protesters from Kogi and Abia APC stakeholders had mounted protests against the inauguration for various reasons.
The inauguration was earlier scheduled for Thursday but was stalled by the combined protests by the governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and other aggrieved stakeholders from Cross River and Abia states.
Speaking at the inauguration on Friday night, Ganduje who acknowledged the discontentment expressed by stakeholders in some states, promised that the matter is not foreclosed.
He urged the new members to take their task dutifully adding that there is a lot of work to be done to reposition the party.
Ganduje assured that the various discussions with the relevant stakeholders, all the people earlier presented by their states for NWC membership but later dropped, would be carried along in the APC administration.
On the forthcoming governorship election in Imo, Bayelsa and Kogi states that will be held on November 11, Sen Ganduje hinted that the party will soon unveil members of the Campaign Council.
He also said that the inauguration would be held in the respective states to also let the people of the affected states have the feel of the party going into the election.
The new NWC members inaugurated are Ali Bukar Dalori, deputy national chairman (North), Garba Datti Muhammad; national vice chairman (North West), Prof Abdul Karim Abubakar Kana; national legal adviser, Hon Donatus Nwankpa; national welfare secretary, Mary Alile Idele; national women leader and Duro Meseko, and deputy national publicity secretary.