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APC May Hold National Convention, Dec
Barring last minutes change in the arrangements, the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) would hold in the first weekend of December.
A source close to the party said that, according to the arrangements, after the State Congresses in October and the Anambra governorship election in November, the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) would meet to rectify the timetable and schedule of activities for the National Convention.
“I can confirm to you that the APC National Convention will hold on the first Saturday of December this year which may likely be December 4. After the State Congresses in October, the party will set up Appeals Committee same month and concentrate on the Anambra State governorship election coming up in November.
“After the Anambra guber, according to the plan, the party’s NEC will meet to rectify and approve the timetable and schedule of activities for the Convention within the one month statutory stipulation.
“The meeting is just formalities because NEC has already given the committee the powers to conduct the convention. However, if they are to amend the party constitution, it requires the approval of NEC.”
“Before then, the party is also looking at setting up Zoning Committee that may be a 13-man membership to be drawn two members from each geopolitical zone and a chairman.
“I can confirm to you that convention is most likely to hold first weekend of December because the national leadership knows that shifting the event beyond December will deepen the crisis within the party,” our source said.
Meanwhile, unless urgent intervention comes from the presidency, there are strong indications that the ruling party may be enmeshed in a fresh crisis as the national leadership and hitherto loyal state caretaker committee chairmen have declared war on each other over the recently concluded Congresses and date for conduct of National Convention.
The love lost is hinged on what some of the state caretaker committee chairmen described as renege by the national leadership on the agreements reached with the forum.
They had specifically frowned at the situation where the national leadership endorsed the charade Congresses conducted in some states, lamenting that the national leadership ignored many of them that complained about the unfair treatment melted on them during the Congresses.
Confirming the situation, the Enugu State Caretaker Committee Chairman, Ben Nwoye, had stated that he has personally declared war against the national leadership, threatening fire and brimstone over their lukewarm attitude to the injustice melted on him by their member, Senator Ken Nnamani.
“You will recall that the national leadership recently ordered the state caretaker committee chairmen to conduct the swearing-in of the newly elected ward and local government executives, yet they could not address various complaints we took to them about certain party chieftains shutting us out of the Congresses. If we are not relevant during the Congresses how can we swear-in the exco we petitioned the leadership against their emergence?
“We had an agreement with the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Committee before the Congresses, but I was surprised that they endorsed the charade Nnamani did in Enugu.
“They allowed us to be in charge of our states during the membership registration but handed over the party structure to those they considered superstars during the Congresses. For instance in Enugu, they allowed Nnamani to take charge and even gave the result sheet to him to write whoever he wants to emerge as executive.
“After sidelining me, I am waiting and watching to see how they will run the party in Enugu State after giving the party structure to Nnamani. We are just starting the fight because the baby who said its mother will not sleep will not also sleep. If they think that somebody like me will back down, they must be dreaming.
“Let me tell you that what happened in Zamfara and Rivers states during the 2019 elections will be a child’s play to what will happen in Enugu in 2023.
“Whether they like it or not, they must hold Convention by December and hand over power to a new national leadership. We don’t have party again, what is keeping APC is President Muhammadu Buhari and by next year, all these stories of Buhari said this, Buhari did not say that will be over. And once Buhari story is over, people will do whatever they want to do,” he said.
Asked if the Forum of State Chairmen is no longer functional, he said, “They have killed the Forum. Many of the forum members are no longer interested due to the manner the National Caretaker Committee has endorsed some illegality in their states.”
President Bola Tinubu has expressed confidence that the country would win the fight against insecurity.
The President gave the assurance at the Argungu International Fishing Festival in Argungu town, Kebbi State, on Saturday.
He noted that the relative peace currently being enjoyed in Kebbi and neighbouring states was the result of sustained investments in security intelligence, coordination among security agencies, and community engagement.
Tinubu assured farmers and fishermen of sustained federal support to guarantee food security and safety across the country.
“The peace we are witnessing today is not accidental. It is the outcome of deliberate and sustained efforts. I assure you that the fight against banditry, insurgency, and insecurity will be won.
“Our farmers, fishermen, traders, and families will go about their lawful activities without fear,” he assured.
The President commended the organisers of the festival for sustaining the cultural event for decades, noting that it had endured for 83 years despite social and security challenges.
Describing the Argungu festival as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence, Tinubu stated that it reflects the richness of the country’s culture and the opportunities to harness its natural and human resources for national growth.
He said, “Today, this festival stands as a powerful symbol of unity, resilience, and peaceful coexistence among our people.
“It reflects the richness of our culture, the strength of our traditions, and the opportunities inherent in harnessing our natural and human resources for national development.”
The President was received by a large crowd of residents, traditional rulers, fishermen, tourists, and government officials from across the country.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth and women empowerment, irrigation development, rural electrification, and agricultural productivity.
Earlier, the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, said his administration was determined to elevate the Argungu Fishing Festival to full international standards while pursuing aggressive development across critical sectors of the state.
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed today, in observance of Presidents’ Day.
The mission made this known in a notice shared on its official X page, yesterday.
“The U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026, in observance of Presidents’ Day,” the post read.
According to the embassy, Presidents’ Day was originally established to honour the birthday of the former US President, George Washington, but has evolved into a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents and their leadership in shaping the country’s history.
The embassy noted that the holiday also recognises the influence of U.S. presidents on global affairs.
In a related message, the mission highlighted that Washington created the first “Badge of Military Merit,” which later became the Purple Heart. The medal still bears Washington’s image today.
Presidents’ Day is observed on the third Monday of February annually in the United States as a federal holiday.
News
Guterres Backs Nigeria’s Bid For UN Security Council Seat …Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Regional Security Role
United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has charged Nigeria with spearheading Africa’s quest for a restructured global order, describing the country as uniquely positioned to lead the continent toward superpower status.
Guterres, who backed Nigeria’s bid for the world body’s security council seat, also praised the economic reforms of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration as well as Nigeria’s leadership in stabilising the Sahel and ECOWAS regions, despite facing its own security challenges.
The UN scribe made the remarks last Friday night during a high-level bilateral meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima on the sidelines of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Speaking during the meeting, Guterres said Nigeria’s large population, sustained democratic governance, vast natural and human resources, and longstanding commitment to multilateralism placed it in a unique position to lead Africa in the evolving global order.
“Given Nigeria’s demographic strength, democratic continuity and deep resource base, the country stands a real chance of leading Africa to becoming the next superpower in the evolving global architecture,” he said.
The UN Secretary-General and the vice president discussed key developments in Nigeria and the country’s expanding leadership role in promoting regional stability across West Africa and the Sahel.
Guterres commended the remarkable and outstanding reforms of the administration of President Tinubu, noting that Nigeria’s bold economic restructuring and security commitments have strengthened its continental standing.
The meeting focused on strengthening Nigeria–UN collaboration to advance global economic growth, peace and security, sustainable development, and a coordinated humanitarian response across Africa.
In his remarks, Shettima thanked the UN Secretary-General for his leadership in advancing global peace, noting that Africa has benefited immensely from his tenure, even as the United Nations undergoes internal restructuring.
“We remain committed to multilateralism and to deepening our partnerships with the United Nations and other global institutions,” the vice president said.
Shettima also reiterated Nigeria’s longstanding call for comprehensive reform of the United Nations system to reflect evolving global realities.
He emphasised that Africa must have stronger representation in global decision-making structures and declared that Nigeria deserves a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Both leaders pledged to deepen cooperation, with Guterres reaffirming the UN’s support for Nigeria’s reform agenda and its growing leadership role in advancing peace, security, and development across Africa.