Ganduje, NWC Crisis Dominate Agenda As President Tinubu Presides Over APC NEC Meeting

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will preside over the first National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) today.

The NEC meeting is scheduled to hold at 11.00 am at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton in Abuja.

It is understood that the perennial crisis rocking the APC and the nomination of former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje and Spokesperson for the ninth Senate, Senator Ajibola Basiru, as the party’s National Chairman and Secretary, respectively will be discussed.

Aside from President Tinubu, other APC chieftains expected at the NEC meeting include Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Vice President Kashim Shettima, APC governors, former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, and Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC).

In a chat with The Punch, a reliable source at the presidency said the lingering crisis rocking the party leadership and possible approval of the nomination of Ganduje and Basiru as national chairman and secretary respectively will be decided at the meeting.

The source said there may be no need for any convention again if the NEC confirms Ganduje and Ajibola as the party’s chairman and scribe.

He said: “The agenda is out. But there is nothing basic in it. We are only going to be looking at how to set up some of those committees and organs that Lukman raised before he resigned. And, of course, some shenanigans will be put up to officially announce the new acting chairman and secretary

“It is just to announce that these people are now in charge, We were told that the NEC can work in place of a convention. They are the ultimate decision maker. If they confirm them (Ganduje), there may be no need for any convention again.

“But regarding the other vacant positions of welfare officer, deputy national publicity secretary, and Vice Chairman for North-West left by Lukman, it is hoped that they will give the NWC the power to fill them. That way, they will avoid budgeting again for another mini-convention.”