The All Progressives Congress on Saturday barred political appointees from voting at its convention.
PHOTO: APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, walks towards the VIP pavilion.
Fears over consensus target failure
There were fears on Saturday that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may not have been able to fully realise its consensus targets as some of its aspirants were seen rigorously lobbying and campaigning at the Convention ground, Eagle Square, Abuja.
President Muhammadu Buhari had solicited party leaders and members to strive to achieve consensus for all positions in the party ahead of the convention.
He held meetings with various critical stakeholder groups within the party, including the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), founding fathers of the party, chairmanship aspirants, among others, in the days leading to the all-important convention.
PHOTO: Ahmad Usman moving around with supporters to solicit votes.
Police, Civil Defence shield Amaechi from hoodlums
It took the intervention of a combined team of Policemen and Civil Defence operatives to protect Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi from armed hoodlums at the main entrance of the Eagle Square, Abuja, venue of the ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) national convention.
Amaechi was stranded for more than 30 minutes before the security officials assisted him into the venue.
Edo delegates boo, chase away Sen Obende
Edo State delegates have booed and chased Senator Domingo Obende from the designated stand for the state at the national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
They accused the lawmaker of anti-party activities.
Oshiomhole arrives at Eagle Square
Former APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole arrives at the Eagle Square venue of the party’s National Convention.
His presence caused a resounding welcome by party members.
Clad in his usual brown khaki attire with a face cap to match, Oshiomhole walked around the venue acknowledging cheers from state delegates.
PHOTOS: APC convention: Governors, ex-governors arrive at Eagles Square
Edo delegates send away health minister from state’s stand
Edo State delegates have sent away Minister of Health, Dr. Osage Ehanire from the stand designated for the state at the Eagle Square, venue of the ongoing national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Nation reports that a shocked Ehanire left with his aides to the VIP stand.
Several injured as Police control crowd with teargas
Delegates and supporters have been teargassed as security operatives struggled to control entry into the venue of the ongoing All Progressives (APC) National Convention at the Eagle Square in Abuja.
Several persons sustained injuries in the ensuing stampede.
The two entrances into the Square, through the Office of the Head of Service axis as well as the Federal Secretariat car park axis, were jam-packed with hundreds of supporters and delegates that tried to make their way to the venue.
At the Head of Service axis, the crowd overpowered the policemen on guard and pushed the gate wide open and dozens of people, including those who were not accredited, poured in.
The police resorted to teargassing everyone before managing to close the gate and resume admitting only persons accredited despite the rowdiness.
PHOTOS: Nasarawa Gov Abdullahi Sule with some of his delegates at the APC convention
Delegates file into arena
Accredited delegates have started filing into the arena.
Already accredited states with their delegates at their designated stands include Nasarawa, Kaduna, Kogi Adamawa, Gombe, Kano, Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Cross Rivers, Osun among other states.
Pickpocket arrested at convention venue
Security agents have arrested a middle-aged man for pickpocketting at the Eagle Square venue of the ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention in Abuja.
The man, dressed in a brown flowing gown, was arrested while trying to pick the pocket of a delegate trying to gain access through a gate to the venue.
The Nation reports that supporters of aspirants for various positions are giving security officials a difficult time as reporters and delegates are finding it difficult to gain access.
PHOTOS: Nasarawa Gov Abdullahi Sule and Minister of Information Lai Mohammed addressing security officials over the chaos in gaining access into the Eagle Square, venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention venue.
PHOTOS: Supporters heading to the venue
PHOTOS: A deserted Ahmadu Bello Way in Abuja, one of the roads leading to the venue of the National Convention, cordoned off by security operatives.
Six chairmanship aspirants resign, write SGF
Six chairmanship aspirants have written a letter of withdrawal from the race at today’s national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
A cover letter was also written jointly signed by all the aspirants.
The Nation learnt that the letters were later handed over to the Secretary to the Federal Government, Mr. Boss Mustapha at about 2 am for onward transmission to President Muhammadu Buhari by Sen. George Akume and Mohammed Etsu.
The aspirants are Sen. Tanko Al-Makura, Sen George Akume, Abudulaziz Yari, Sen. Mohammed Musa, Mohammed Saidu Etsu and Turaki Saliu Mustapha.
Convention: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Taraba delegates barred from voting
There are indications that some states will not be voting at today’s national convention of the All Progressives Congress holding in Abuja.
The States include Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Taraba.
The election of the state executive committees of the affected states are subject to litigation in the court, hence the party bar in the states.
The Nation however gathered that statutory delegates from the affected states will be allowed to vote, while delegates that emerged from the congresses held in the affected states will be exempted from voting.
The Nation
Details later….
