Forum of APC State chairmen endorses Adamu’s leadership

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The Forum of State chairmen of All Progressive Congress (APC) yesterday passed a vote of confidence in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party led by Abdullahi Adamu.
Fielding questions from journàlists on the insinuation that crisis in the party led to the postponment of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting slated for yesterday, the chairman of APC in Cross River state, Alphonsus Oga, who responded on behalf of others, said “There is nothing like that, if you have been following the itinerary of Mr President, he is presently not in the country and he is expected to proceed for another journey and that the NWC promptly informed us and that was what necessitated the postponement.
“And let me let you know, this is a moment where rumours and blackmail can thrive, but as a party, there is only one APC, and we came again in solidarity to say we are strongly behind our national chairman and the NWC.”
Speaking further, he said since after the 2023 general election which the party won, the forum have not had the opportunity of meeting the National chairman and members of the NWC, hence the opportunity of the planned NEC meeting brought them together on the invitation of the NWC to meet with them.
“We are happy to announce that it became an opportunity for the forum of APC State chairmen to congratulate the winning chairman of our party, his excellency, senator Abdullahi Adamu and his hardworking team of the NWC.”
Speaking earlier, Abdullahi Adamu said since the election and inauguration, the NWC has held one meeting with the chief executives of states towards the issue of discipline and their attitudes towards the party, as well as their attitudes toward divisive tendencies in the party by members and they were very emphatic.
Adamu said “We are very happy with them. And it will give room or cause to believe that we are going to have a very flourishing relationship with the new leadership of the Governors Forum.
“It is therefore good to say that they are going to improve on what their predecessors did in office in ensuring good relationships with the party, National leadership and the State leadership in a good and harmonious way.
“Now, we just came out of an election and we thank God we have been very successful at the election. As of today, we have 20 governors. We have three off season elections and by the grace of God, some of them will be coming to APC kitty. That is our hope.
“And if that happens, we will be having 24. Now, to whom much is given, more is expected. If Nigerians stand up to support the party the way they have done, we will all be getting the results we are talking about. And what is being expected from us as a party.”
Speaking on the ministerial and other political appointments that are gradually being announced, Adamu said “Every APC member has an inherent right to hope to get some patronage. And we can all get one here. We cannot all be ministers of the government. We cannot all end up as board members, directors of parastatals and MDAs across the country, but we do expect some patronage from the government that we are forming.
“The President has just started. And he is doing his extensive consultation before coming up with his nominees for Ministers. The nomination of the Ministers will come first. They will go through their screening until they are pronounced after they have been submitted before Mr. President. And Mr President will formally appoint his Ministers and swear them in.
“It is our hope and prayers that Mr. President will come along with us in that regard and strengthen the relationship of the party in the states and at the National level will enjoy some level of patronage in the new government. Those are the key issues that we do hope to share with you in the course of this meeting”, he said.