The All Progressives Congress United Kingdom Chapter has elected new leaders in a highly attended Congress held at the Holiday Inn Express® London – Greenwich Hotel on April 1, 2023. The event which started as scheduled became a melting point as many progressives across the United Kingdom and across the world converged to elect the new leaders to be saddled with the responsibility of piloting the affairs of the Party’s Chapter in the UK.

The election which was officially observed by a representative of the Party’s National Chairman and the National Working Committee from Abuja Hajia Zainab Abubakar Bello, the Deputy National Women Leader was officiated by Prof. Gbenga Oduntan of the University of Kent and Chief Olu Alakija saw the return of J K Adebola who was until the Congress Chairman of the Interim National Working Committee of the Party emerged as the Chairman of the Party while Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi becomes the Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Dauda Adams, Hajiya Rekiya Abubakar and High Chief Chris Onumonu becomes the Vice Chairman South West, Vice Chairman North and Vice Chairman South East respectively.

Mr. Oluseun Baiyewu emerges as the General Secretary, Mrs Carolyn Onyebuchi Adelakun becomes the Treasurer and Mr. Jacob Ogunseye who has been acting as the Publicity Secretary of the Party retained his position all in consensus. Other members of the new executive are Otunba Ade Adeshina (Organizing Secretary), Joseph Fadele (Financial Secretary), Hajiya Jamila Zanna Mohammad (Women Leader), Lady Edith Nwachukwu (Welfare Secretary), Mr. Olumide Awoyemi (Youth Leader), Rukayat Basharu (Deputy Youth Leader), Barr. Tolu Oluwatuyi (Legal Adviser) and a host of others.

The National Deputy Women Leader who represented the headquarters at the congress, Hajiya Zainab Abubakar Bello counselled the newly elected leaders to swing to action immediately and ensure they work together for the success of the Party both in the UK and Nigeria. She also urged the Executives under the leadership of J K Adebola to begin the healing process of the Party most especially in the United Kingdom to ensure everyone is carried along in the affairs of the party while assuring them of the support of the national headquarters from Nigeria.

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress United States of America Chapter, Prof. Adesegun Labinjo who flew in with some of his executive members to attend the Congress, said that “the time has come to begin the real work of developing our country via the Diaspora Chapters.” Excited Prof. Labinjo commends APC UK for their steadfastness and dedication towards developing the Party and assures of the cooperation of the two Party’s Chapters to be able to achieve the desired results.

In his acceptance speech, J K Adebola who was flanked by some executive members recalled that the success of the congress should be attributed to the national headquarters, Abuja who in their wisdom set up an Interim National Working Committee comprising 22 men and women including J K Adebola himself as Chairman, Tunde Doherty and 20 others as members and gave them a mandate to conduct the congress within the next six months. Adebola thanked all the newly elected executive members and urge them to see their election as a call to higher service. He also pleads with the members who lost out in the contest to keep faith with the Party as there are various opportunities to come where they can serve.

J K Adebola also revealed that he plans to run an open and all inclusive Party maintaining that the Party’s doors are always open for all stakeholders willing to contribute to the progress of APC UK.

Also present at the Congress are the Chairman of APC UK South West, Hon. Kenny Ojutalayo, Chief Awofidipe, Chairman APC UK Osun State, Lady Ifeoma (Iyabode) Nwankwo, Secretary of the Diaspora Directorate APC PCC, Lady Lola Salvador, National Deputy Organising Secretary, APC USA, Mrs. Khariat Animashaun-Ajiboye, Deputy Publicity Secretary, APC USA, Mrs. Elizabeth Olagunju, National Women Leader, APC USA and Miss Jennifer Serano who anchored the Congress.

The Congress ended with a photo session with all attendees lining up with the National Deputy Women Leader.

•PHOTO: From left; Mrs Carolyn Adelakun (Treasurer), J K Adebola (Chairman), Hajiya Rekiya Abubakar (Vice Chairman North)

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