The All Progressives Congress (APC) under the leadership of Abdullahi Ganduje has begun consultation to address the vacant positions within the National Working Committee (NWC). The party is seeking approval from its National Executive Committee (NEC) to formally endorse the new appointees.
This action has been prompted by the submission of nominations from state party branches, following the directive given to the NWC during the previous NEC meeting held at Transcorp Hilton in Abuja last week.
Several positions within the NWC have become vacant, including National Deputy Chairman (North), which was held by Senator Abubakar Kyari, and National Women Leader, occupied by Dr Betta Edu, both of whom have been cleared as ministerial nominees. Furthermore, the exit of former National Vice Chairman (North-West), Mallam Salihu Lukman, and National Legal Adviser, Ahmad El-Marzuq, has created additional vacancies.
Additional vacant roles include Deputy National Publicity Secretary, formerly held by Murtala Ajaka, who is now pursuing the governorship of Kogi State with the Social Democratic Party. Also, the position of National Welfare Officer, previously occupied by the late Friday Nwosu, is open.
The state APC chapters have recommended new candidates for these positions, awaiting confirmation from the NEC. The proposed appointees include Dr. Stella Odey-Ekpo, former Cross River State Commissioner for Local Government (Women Leader); Ali Dalori, Borno State APC Chairman (Deputy National Chairman, North); Prof. Abdulkarim Kana, ex-Nasarawa State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice (Legal Adviser); Martins Azubuike, former Abia State House of Assembly Speaker (Welfare Officer); and Yahaya Ismail, ex-Special Adviser on Water Resources to Kogi State Governor (Deputy National Publicity Secretary).
A party insider clarified that while the name of Lukman’s successor has not been officially submitted, Commodore Emmanual Jekada (retd.), Kaduna APC Chairman, is being considered for the position of the next National Vice Chairman for North-West. However, these proposed names are subject to approval and discussions within the NWC and have not yet been forwarded to the NEC for collective endorsement.
It was noted that the rumoured return of Murtala Ajaka and the speculation of a mini-convention have been ruled out by a credible source within the party. The official inauguration of the new officers will take place after NEC grants its approval. The situation has taken a new turn, with reports suggesting that the Abia APC chapter might have submitted multiple nominees for the position of National Welfare Officer.
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