UPDATED: APC fixes February 26 for National Convention

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Tuesday, confirmed February 26as the date for its National Convention.

Until today, the date had largely been based on speculation from political actors and unconfirmed sources to the media.

It became official during the address of the chairperson of the Nigeria’s Governors Forum, Kayode Fayemi, at the APC National Women Conference in Abuja.

While speaking on the proposed National Convention of the party, Mr Fayemi urged party leaders and members to use the convention as an opportunity to deliver more people-oriented policies and reflect on its ideals over the years.

The Ekiti Governor only gave a blanket date for the convention until a member of the APC interim committee, who escorted the Yobe State Governor, Mala Buni, to the event, whispered to his ears at the podium.

“Oh, the chairman has already announced February 26 as the date for the National Convention,” Mr Fayemi said in a manner that suggests he was not aware that the date has become official.

Mr Fayemi advocated the involvement of more women in governance as they play a key role in the economic and social development of a nation.

“If we continue to improve on the support and solidarity that we give women of our country, when we do this, we are not doing our women a favour, we are actually doing ourselves a duty because it gives economic strength and anyone who has the privilege of working with women in close range…You will understand that they are your best armour and they are also the best deliver agent,” Mr Fayemi said as he went on to share the dividends of women’s role in governance.

However, the interim chairman of the APC, Mr Buni, in his address, said the APC is the most “women-friendly” party in Nigeria, but added that he looked forward to having more women in the party’s elected offices.

“We look forward to having more women contesting in the forthcoming national convention of the party from February 26, 2022 and the general election. Now as we approach the convention and move closer to the next general election, I wish to remind you of the progressive roles in supporting progressive-minded leaders, aspiring for various offices for the betterment of our country,” he officially declared.

With many women and youth among the 41 million members of the APC registered across the country, Mr Buni said he is confident that the party would have a landslide victory in the 2023 General Elections.

Although women representation may be said to have improved with President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, gender is poorly represented statistically across states in the country.

This gap is also evident in Mr Buni’s interim administration of the ruling APC as well as the newly elected members at the last National Convention of the main opposition, PDP.

Of all the 13-member National Caretaker Committee appointed to run the APC by its National Executive Committee (NEC) in June 2020, only one is female.

Similar trend was also recorded at the 2021 PDP National Convention.

No fewer than 11 aspirants have shown interest in the chairmanship seat of the APC.