APC NWC Crisis: Why Ganduje Snubbed Yahaya Bello, Betta Edu Candidates

Some political bigwigs are on a collision course with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the appointment of new members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

The party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, during a media briefing on Wednesday, had disclosed the outcome of the NWC meeting held at the APC National Secretariat and the election of the new officials.

The new officials: Ali Bukar Dalori (Borno State) will serve as deputy national chairman, North (North East Zone) to replace the Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, while Garba Datti Muhammad (Kaduna State), will replace Salihu Moh Lukman, as national vice chairman, North West (North West).

Ajibola disclosed that the NWC settled for Abdul Karim Abubakar Kana (Nasarawa State) (North Central Zone) for the position of national legal adviser as a replacement for his resigned predecessor.

He also announced Donatus Nwankpa (Abia State) as the new national welfare secretary (South East Zone) to replace the late Friday Nwosu and Mary Alile Idele from Edo State, emerged as national women leader (South-South).

The ruling party equally settled for Duro Meseko (Kogi State) as deputy national publicity secretary (North Central Zone) to replace Yakubu Ajaka, just as Ikani Shuaibu Okolo (Kogi State) takes the position of zonal organizing secretary (North Central).

But the announcement of the elected officers from Abia, Kogi, and Cross River States threw the party into an unwanted crisis.

Mary Alile Idele replaced Stella Odey-Ekpo as National Women Leader, who had the backing of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu; while Duro Meseko took over as Deputy National Publicity Secretary from Yahaya Ade Ismail, who Governor Yahaya Bello backed; and Donatus Nwankpa replaced Martins Azubuike as National Welfare Officer.

The sudden alteration in the appointments drew dissatisfaction from party stakeholders, who expressed dismay at the lack of consultation over these changes.

Reports suggest that Yahaya Bello and Dr. Betta Edu are at the forefront of the opposition against the new appointments.

The Kogi State chapter of the APC also formally rejected the appointments and issued a statement pointing out a lack of consultation.

According to The Whistler, Betta Edu was instrumental in mobilizing protesters to occupy the party’s national secretariat on Thursday, while Governor Bello and Kogi lawmakers were at the National Secretariat to stop the inauguration of the new NWC members.

The planned inauguration of the newly appointed NWC members, initially scheduled for 2 p.m. on Thursday, was postponed to allow the party to engage in dialogue with the dissenting stakeholders.

An insider source told the aforementioned platform that Odey-Ekpo’s replacement was attributed to Cross River State already having two ministers in President Tinubu’s cabinet. Therefore, her nomination was redirected to another state.

Similarly, Ismail’s replacement reportedly came due to the influence of James Faleke, an ally of President Bola Tinubu.