2023 APC Presidential Primary Live Updates, Results From Eagles Square, Abuja can be accessed below.
All is set for the APC national convention and presidential primaries and GoldenNewsNg Team is live on Eagles Square, Abuja to bring you all the latest happenings as the ruling party elects flagbearer tonight.
NWC backs APC Northern Govs on power shift 7:10 pm
The National Working Committee(NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) has backed Northern Governors of the party on power shift to the South.
Northern Governors on Monday insisted on power shift after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
This was despite the announcement of Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the preferred aspirant of the President Muhammadu Buhari by APC National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
Adamu made the announcement at the NWC meeting of the party in Abuja.
But APC Organisjng Secretary, Suleiman M Argungu, has said the choice of Lawan is simply Adamu’s opinion.
He said the NWC supports the position of Northern APG Govs on power shift .
He said the choice of Senate President Ahmed Lawan as consensus aspirant is not the position of the NWC but just an opinion of the National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Adamu.
“It is just an information given by the chairman. The NWC is with the Northern Govs on power shift to the South,” Argungun said.
Details Shortly…
VIDEO: NWC supports northern APC Govs on power shift
APC Organising Secretary, Suleiman M Argungu, has stated the National Working Committee(NWC) supports the position of Northern APG Govs on power shift to the south.
He said the choice of Senate President Ahmed Lawan as consensus aspirant is not the position of the NWC but just an opinion of the National Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Adamu.
Northern APC Govs insist on power shift to South
Northern All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors have insisted on power shift to the South.
They spoke after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, Simon Lalong, who led others to the meeting, also disclosed Buhari has not anointed anyone yet as his consensus candidate.
Thirteen out of the 14 APC Governors from the north at the meeting told State House Correspondents they were resolute on their decision.
Their position contradicts the announcement of Senate President Ahmad Lawan as consensus candidate of the party by the National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
Lalong told correspondents that President Buhari has requested the Governors to have a meeting with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to resolve the issue of consensus candidate through democratic means.
Lalong, who was flanked by 12 other Governors, said they told the President of their decision to ensure that power returns to the South for the sake of equity and unity of the country.
He said the Progressive Governors’ Forum would meet again at 5pm after consultation with the party’s NWC.
He said the Governors would be feeding the President back subsequently.
“Out of that discussions, Mr. President, as a believer in democratic process, believes that any candidate must emerge through a transparent process and the emphasis that Mr. President told us that for this election, for now, he has no anointed candidate and therefore directed that the Progressive Governors Forum meet with the National Working Committee of the party to agree and proffer further solutions and recommendations for his own succession.
“I am sure this will may be the last of consultations. So we are directed that after this, our chairman of Progressive Governors’ Forum has also summoned a meeting for five o’clock today and after that meeting, will make again further suggestions to Mr. President,” Lalong said.
Details Shortly…
2022 Electoral Act: Lawal, Atiku, Peter Obi and Consensus Candidate
Ahmad Lawal, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi may be the three presidential candidates to slug it out, following the announcement of APC National Chairman, that Lawal is the preferred candidate of APC.
National Chairman, All Progressives Congress,, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, on Monday, told National Working Committee, NWC, members that Senate President Ahmad Lawan will be the consensus candidate of the party.
GoldenNewsNg reported that the announcement by Abdullahi Adamu, APC, did not go down well with members of the National Working Committe, which insisted that all aspirants shall be allowed to contest.
In the announcement from the former governor of Nasarawa State, Adamu, said other aspirants shall have the right to contest with the senate president, Ahmad Lawal, who has become the consensus candidate and favoured candidate of President Buhari.
What is the position the 2022 amended electoral act, on consensus candidate and what political game is going to be played in the 2023 general election?
GoldenNewsNg had reported that on January 25, the National Assembly, headed by Senator Ahmad Lawal, passed a harmonized re-amended electoral act 2022, with a clause that included consensus as one of three options for primary elections; still retaining the options of direct and indirect primaries.
The Clause 84(9)(a) of the re-amended 2022 Electoral Act states that: “A political party that adopts a consensus candidate shall secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the position, indicating their voluntary withdrawal from the race and their endorsement of the consensus candidate.”
GoldenNewsNg reports that among other aspirants for the presidential candidate of the APC, such written consent has not be given as at press time.
Where consent from aspirants is not obtained, the clause continued, the party would jettison the consensus arrangement and proceed with either direct or indirect primary election.
Clause 84(9)(b), states: “Where a political party is unable to secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the purpose of a consensus candidate, it shall revert to the choice of direct or indirect primaries for the nomination of candidates for the aforesaid elective positions.”
Clause 84(9)(c) further states that even when aspirants tender written documents to pave the way for emergence of consensus candidates, “a special convention or nomination congress will be held to ratify the choice of consensus candidates at the national, state, senatorial, federal and state constituencies, as the case may be.”
The amended Electoral Act, also stated that where there is only one aspirant or a consensus candidate in a political party for an elective position, “a special convention will be convened at a designated venue for the confirmation of the aspirant after which his name will be forwarded to INEC as the candidate.”
The consensus candidacy of Ahmed Lawal as announced by, APC, National Chairman, Adamu, has not followed the Electoral Act. This could be why the National Working Committee maintained that all contestants be given room to contest.
2022 Electoral Act: Lawal, Atiku, Peter Obi and Consensus Candidate
GoldenNewsNg reported that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice president, emerged the Peoples democratic Party candidate for the 2023 genera election.
Though Atiku did not emerge through consensus, but he shares the same geo-political environment with Ahmad Lawal. While Atiku is from Adamawa State, Lawal is from Yobe state.
Could it be that the APC are fighting to get the votes of North-East, where Atiku and Lawal belong to? Then the general votes of the 19 states of Northern Nigeria.
North-East, one the geo-political zones in Nigeria, since the return to democracy in 1999, has not produced the country’s president, like South-East.
The votes of North seems to be the deciding factor the rush for 2023 general election.
Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra state, was given the consensus candidate of Labour Party, after he defected from the Peoples Democratic party, following what he called ideological differences.
Does Peter Obi candidacy follow the stipulation of the 2022 amended Electoral Act? Shall his candidacy be later challenged in the court?
The former Anambra governor has gathered most most youths and celebrities, who have thrown in their weight to ensure his emergence come 2023 general election.
GoldenNewsNg had reported that Peter Obi’s social media following has been a cause of worry to other candidates including Atiku.
After the general elections of all political parties, shall INEC, the electoral body review these candidates in line with the provisions of the 2022 amended Electoral Act?
Has Peter Obi presidency been made easy by Lawal and Atiku candidacy?
Shall candidates head to court? Is Peter Obi, Ahmad Lawal, Atiku Abubakar, and their parties aware of the Electoral Act’s position on consensus candidacy.
Adamu Announces Lawan As APC Consensus Candidate
All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu on Monday told National Working Committee (NWC) members that Senate President Ahmad Lawan will be the consensus candidate of the party.
According to him, the announcement was based on his consultation with President Muhammadu Buhari. The announcement was received with stiff resistance by NWC members who insisted the primary slated for June 6-8 must hold with all aspirants allowed to contest.
On January 25, the National Assembly passed a harmonised re-amended electoral act with consensus as one of three options for primary elections. The other options are direct and indirect primaries.
But the National Assembly set strict guidelines for consensus to scale through. Political parties, according to the amendment, would not adopt consensus candidates unless other aspirants for the elective position tender written documents indicating their consent to withdraw from the primary. The aspirants would also state their endorsements of the consensus candidates.
Clause 84(9)(a) of the re-amended electoral bill states: “A political party that adopts a consensus candidate shall secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the position, indicating their voluntary withdrawal from the race and their endorsement of the consensus candidate.”
If the written consent was not obtained, the party would jettison the consensus arrangement and proceed with either direct or indirect primary election, according to Clause 84(9)(b), which states: “Where a political party is unable to secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the purpose of a consensus candidate, it shall revert to the choice of direct or indirect primaries for the nomination of candidates for the aforesaid elective positions.”
Clause 84(9)(c) states that even when aspirants tender written documents to pave the way for emergence of consensus candidates, a special convention or nomination congress will be held to ratify the choice of consensus candidates at the national, state, senatorial, federal and state constituencies, as the case may be.
The bill further states that where there is only one aspirant or a consensus candidate in a political party for an elective position, a special convention will be convened at a designated venue for the confirmation of the aspirant after which his name will be forwarded to INEC as the candidate.
Adamu announces Lawan as consensus candidate 4: 16 pm
* Govs, NWC members kick, insist on fair primary
Crisis has hit the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the announcement of Senate President Ahmed Lawan as consensus presidential aspirant by the national chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
Adamu made the announcement at the meeting of National Working Committee (NWC) on Monday in Abuja.
Other aspirants including Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Dr. Kayode Fayemi and David Umahi, among others will however be allowed to contest the primary at the convention holding tomorrow at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
The NWC members insisted other aspirants must be given a level playing ground to compete.
Adamu’s adoption of Lawan as consensus candidate is against the position of 11 APC northern Governors, who endorsed that power must shift to the South after President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure.
Adamu told the National Working Committee that he arrived at the choice of Lawan after consultation with President Buhari.
Buhari, Northern Govs in closed-door meeting 3:30 pm
President Muhammadu Buhari is in a meeting with some Governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the north at the Presidential Villa Abuja.
The meeting is coming just hours ahead of the APC’s presidential convention, which is scheduled to take off today at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
Although there was no official note to the reason for the meeting with the Governors, it was suggested it may not be unconnected with preparations towards assuring a successful convention.
It is the fourth meeting between the President and party stakeholders in relation to the primary.
Aside from his meeting with APC Governors last Tuesday, Buhari has met with the party’s presidential aspirants where he urged them to consult and pick a formidable candidate from among themselves.
On Sunday night, the President also hosted members of the National Advisory Council to a
Those in attendance are Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); chairman of Northern Governors Forum Simon Lalong; Abubakar Baduru (Jigawa) and Babagana Zulum (Borno).
Others are: Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina); Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa); Bello Matawale (Zamfara); Mallam Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna); Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano); Yahaya Inuwa (Gombe); Abubakar Bello (Niger) and Mai Mala Buni (Yobe).
APC presidential primary locks down Abuja 2:58 pm
The central area of Abuja is practically on a lock down with serious traffic congestion along all major roads leading to Eagle Square, venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) convention.
There was traffic snarl around Area 10, Wuse 2 and other areas as road users tried to avoid the Ahmadu Bello way and Shehu Shagari way leading to the Eagle Square.
Although the convention has not commenced as at 3.00pm, the city is experiencing huge traffic with hotels in most parts of Abuja fully booked.
APC Primaries: Tinubu tipped to win
Frontline presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is projected to be ahead in the party’s presidential primaries slated for today and tomorrow in Abuja.
A number of factors make Tinubu the candidate to beat. The factors are: nationwide recognition, reach, structure, support, endorsements, mass appeal, track record as governor of Lagos State, rich experience in both the private and public sectors.
Tinubu, along with President Buhari, is a co-founder of the APC.
He has mentored politicians across the country, many of who became governors, senators, House of Representatives members, or were elected or appointed through his support.
Tinubu, as APC National Leader, has profound influence on the key structures of the party in many states.
He also has the backing of more governors than his rivals.
With governors having tremendous influence on the delegates – three per local government – Tinubu can feel confident about emerging his party’s torch-bearer and a potential face-off with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President candidate Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election.
The APC northern governors, in a communiqué at the end of their Abuja meeting on Saturday, advised President Muhammadu Buhari to restrict his search within the party for a successor to the southern states.
They said power shift to the South would be in the interest of building a stronger, more united and more progressive country.
Based on the decision, Jigawa State Governor Mohammed Badaru withdrew from the race.
In the South, the Southwest is the bastion of the APC.
Tinubu is the clear favourite in the geo-political zone. He is also being backed strongly by most of the states in the North.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo may get his votes from Ogun which is his home state and Nasarawa where he is believed to be backed by the state governor.
Former Minister of Transportation Mr. Chibuike Rotmi Amaechi may get his votes from his home state, Rivers, and Plateau where he is being backed by the state governor.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi may get his votes from Ekiti, Jigawa where the governor is his friend. He may also get some votes from Kebbi because of his closeness to the state governor.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan is being backed by his state, Yobe and states in the Southeast.
Of all the contenders, Tinubu best fits President Muhammadu Buhari’s description of the candidate of his choice.
The President recommended a party man who must be formidable, who appeals to the electorate across the board.
Projection as at today.
Tinubu is projected to win Kano, Lagos, Oyo, Borno, Sokoto, Bauchi, Osun, Benue, Ondo, Edo, Katsina, Gombe, Niger, Kaduna, Zamfara and Adamawa states.
Osinbajo: Ogun and Nasarawa.
Yahaya Bello: Kogi
Amaechi: Rivers and Plateau
Lawan: Yobe, Kebbi (strong), Abia, Imo, Ebonyi, Anambra and Enugu.
Fayemi: Ekiti, Jigawa and Kebbi (partially)
Akpabio: Akwa Ibom
Ayade: Cross River
Undecided states: Delta and Bayelsa.
GoldenNewsNg reports that the ad hoc delegates for the presidential primary election of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, are all set to elect the party’s flagbearer for the 2023 general elections. The primary election starts today, Monday, June 6th, 2022.
The ruling party sold 28 forms to 28 different aspirants at the rate of N100 million each and 23 of these contestants were screened last week.
Among the 23, 13 of them were said to have passed the screening exercise, according to John Oyegun, Chairman of the party’s presidential screening committee, while 10 others were ‘disqualified’.
However, the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu, countered the Screening Committee’s report, saying that no aspirant was disqualified. He said that all the aspirants would battle it out for the party’s sole presidential ticket.
Three aspirants, namely: the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele and the Minister of Petroleum for State, Timipreye Sylva, did not submit their forms, while former President, Goodluck Jonathan and Akinwumi Adesina did not show up for screening.
The APC has a total of 2,340 delegates who are set to cast their votes for the aspirants.
And from all indications, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chibuike Amaechi, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Ahmed Lawan are the leading contenders for the party’s ticket.
Among the others ready to fight it out for the party’s flag are: former Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio; former Minister of Education for State, Emeka Nwajiuba; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello; former National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu; former Ogun State governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosu.
Others are Pastor Tunde Bakare, Cross River State governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, Ebonyi State Governor Dave Umahi, Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Jigawa governor Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and former Zamfara State governor, Sen. Ahmed Yerima.
Meanwhile, the Northern APC Governors had at the weekend asked aspirants from the region to step down and allow their Southern counterparts contest for the primary. The Governors agreed that it was the turn of the South to produce the next President.
They called on President Muhammadu Buhari to pick his successor from the Southern part of the country.
In another development, President Muhammadu Buhari, on his return from the Kingdom of Spain at the weekend, met with all the presidential aspirants of the party, urging them to settle for a consensus candidate. However, it seems that the ruling party’s aspirants are finding it difficult to reach a consensus.
According to the Electoral Act, all the candidates must agree to step down for one of them for a consensus to be reached and if this is not the case, they have to battle it out in the primaries.
The ruling All Progressives Congress has today, tomorrow and Wednesday to decide who bears its flag for the 2023 presidential election.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has already emerged the presidential candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and is keenly watching to know his opponent.
Follow this thread for updates and results of the APC presidential primary election.
