APC’s national convention to hold February 5 as presidential primary election likely in third quarter of 2022

There are indications that the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) may retain the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Committee, this time round, in substantive capacity, to enable it conduct the party’s presidential primary election in the third quarter of 2022.

THE CONCLAVE reports that this is even as the party’s leadership was said to have favoured the choice of February 5 as date for the party’s National Convention, which is being planned for the Eagle Square, Abuja.

The date has yet to be formally announced and barring any changes, may just be the earliest and the most appropriate date to assuage the restive minds of APC members.

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There are, as learnt, strong moves by influential elements within the Caretaker Committe to retain their positions to enable them superintend over the conduct of the party’s crucial presidential primary election.

In pushing through the idea of retaining their positions in the committee, the only option will be to seek ratification of the transformation of the committee from a caretaker committee to a substantive committee at the national convention.

Some of the members holding some position presently will have to resign to fit into the transformational agenda; otherwise, they will be out of contention and consideration.

It has yet to be known how the mind of Governor Buni is working and what his permutations and calculations are on this score.

As a political administrator par excellence, chairing a governing political party is his natural forte. He was APC’s national secretary before resigning to become governor.

There are possibilities that he could resign as Yobe governor to assume the national chair of the party in substantive capacity, given the national character, the power and the influence of the office.

The views in some quarters are that having performed creditably in reconciling the disparate elements in the party and stabilising it, he is is in a pole position to assume the office in a substantive capacity to consolidate on the achievements he recorded as interim chairman.

The office, THE CONCLAVE reports, will place Buni at the epicentre of the politics and politicking for the APC’s presidential ticket which promise to be intense.

The contest for the presidential ticket of any party in government is conventionally a “big do” for political party administrators and members of the National Working Committee as they scramble to be involved in the critical process, as well as the negotiations, that produces the standard bearer and potential president.

They live thereafter with that sense of entitlement of having produced the number one citizen of the country and are thus strategically placed for rewards and patronage.

Meanwhile, as a prelude to the February 2022 national convention, there were reports that President Muhammadu
Buhari had actually wanted the national convention to hold on December 28, 2021 given the mood of party members who had been craving for a substantive national leadership of the party.

THE CONCLAVE learnt that the powerful governors’ forum was able to persuade President Buhari to okay iys suggested February 2022 propsed date.

The stage is now believed to be set for a possible make-or-mar national convention that may test the survival of the APC.