*Aspirant files N100m suit against APC, others over alleged unlawful exclusion
*Kalu targets 150m supporters for Tinubu
Security was visibly heightened across Abuja as the All Progressives Congress
prepared for its national convention, with Eagle Square placed under tight
surveillance amid strategic deployments. Our Politics Editor, MUYIWA
ONYINLOLA, captures this.
Security has been significantly reinforced around Eagle Square in Abuja ahead of
today’s National Convention of the All Progressives Congress, APC, with a visible
deployment of personnel and equipment across key access routes to the venue.
At the time of filing this report, major roads leading to Eagle Square were heavily
manned by security operatives, while patrol vehicles were strategically stationed at
intervals throughout the surrounding areas. Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force,
the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence
Corps, NSCDC, maintained a conspicuous presence, as delegates arriving for the
convention underwent thorough screening before gaining entry to the main arena.
Human and vehicular movement within the vicinity was also restricted in line with
an earlier directive issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs
Didi Wilson-Jack. In a circular released on Thursday, she had instructed federal
workers whose offices are located around Eagle Square to work remotely on
Friday in view of the convention.
Organisers of the convention, themed “Unity in Progress: Consolidating the
Renewed Hope Agenda,” have described the exercise as critical to the party’s
future direction. The convention is expected to produce members of the National
Working Committee, NWC, who will guide the party’s affairs over the next four
years.
No fewer than 8,453 delegates drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the
Federal Capital Territory, alongside all 32 APC state governors, are expected to
participate in the exercise.
Chairman of the APC National Convention Central Coordination Committee,
former Katsina State Governor Hon. Aminu Masari, had earlier assured
participants of adequate security arrangements throughout the proceedings. His
assurance came amid reports that some aggrieved party members had approached
the courts in a bid to halt the convention.
Masari, however, stated that the party had not been served with any court processes
and reaffirmed the APC’s commitment to operating strictly within the bounds of
the law.
He further expressed concern that certain members appeared not to have properly
understood the party’s zoning arrangements for NWC positions. According to him,
some aspirants had attempted to obtain nomination forms for offices not allocated
to their respective geopolitical zones, thereby rendering them ineligible to proceed.
“We are not aware of anyone who has gone to court. We have not been served. If
we are served, we will respond appropriately as a responsible party,” Masari said,
stressing that all party offices had been zoned in accordance with the federal
character principle.
Meanwhile, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, had reported that the APC
National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside several other members of
the National Working Committee, are expected to be returned unopposed through
affirmation.
Aspirant Challenges Alleged Exclusion in Court
In a related development, an aggrieved aspirant, Ambassador Fubara Dagogo, has
instituted a ₦100 million suit against the party and several of its officials over what
he described as his unlawful exclusion from contesting the position of National
Vice-Chairman (South-South).
Dagogo is seeking judicial clarification from Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the
Federal High Court, Abuja, on whether a valid zonal congress could be conducted
in the South-South without his participation, despite having been cleared and
having paid for both his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms.
The APC and its National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, were listed as first
and second defendants in the suit, while the party’s National Vice-Chairman
(South-South), Hon. Victor Giadom, and National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman
Muitamma, were joined as third and fourth defendants respectively.
The matter, scheduled for hearing on Friday, could not proceed owing to the
absence of the presiding judge and was subsequently adjourned until March 30, for
mention.
In the originating summons, filed by his counsel, Chief Ogochukwu Onyema,
Dagogo requested six principal reliefs, including a declaration affirming his
entitlement to the nomination documents based on evidence of payment
acknowledged by the party. He also sought an order nullifying any outcome arising
from a South-South zonal congress conducted without his participation, as well as
an injunction restraining the party from proceeding with such a congress until he is
duly issued the necessary forms and given adequate notice.
Additionally, he requested ₦100 million in general damages against the third and
fourth defendants for what he described as embarrassment and mental distress
allegedly occasioned by their actions, together with a monthly interest of 10 per
cent on any judgment sum until liquidation.
In an affidavit supporting his application, Dagogo stated that he had fulfilled all
procedural requirements after paying ₦100,000 for the Expression of Interest Form
and ₦5 million for the Nomination Form on March 13. He alleged, however, that
officials declined to release the forms to him, claiming they were no longer
available.
He further stated that efforts to resolve the matter internally, including a formal
complaint addressed to the National Chairman, had yielded no response.
Notably, the situation took a further turn on Friday when Dagogo was suspended
indefinitely by his Ward 4 leadership in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers
State over alleged gross misconduct and anti-party activities. The suspension,
dated March 16, and jointly signed by Ward Chairman Richard Ibani Benstowe
and Secretary Donald Jumbo, cited breaches of provisions of the party’s
constitution and conduct considered capable of bringing the APC into disrepute.
Mobilisation Drive for 2027 Elections Intensifies
Separately, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin
Kalu, has directed the Renewed Hope Partners, RHPs, support group to mobilise
no fewer than 150 million supporters nationwide in preparation for President Bola
Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
Kalu issued the directive in Abuja while receiving a delegation of the group from
Edo, Ekiti and Katsina States. As founder of the initiative, he explained that the
group’s mission was to promote the achievements of the present administration
while strengthening democratic engagement across the country.
He urged members to ensure that the Renewed Hope Agenda becomes a subject of
discussion in markets, worship centres, motor parks and university campuses
nationwide, emphasising that the initiative aims not only at electoral mobilisation
but also at deepening public awareness of government policies.
According to him, the group intends to establish branches across universities, local
government areas and major public gathering points, while also expanding its
digital footprint with a target of enrolling 150 million online supporters.
Kalu further noted that the organisation’s mandate extends beyond the 2027
elections to advocacy on key legislative priorities, including reserved
parliamentary seats for women, independent candidacy, local government
autonomy and the establishment of state police structures.
Describing members of the group as “nation builders and defenders of
democracy,” he added that the platform remains open to collaboration with all
supporters of the President committed to advancing national development and
democratic consolidation.
