Barely any last minute change of plans, the elective National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) may hold on Monday, May 15, 2018.

In a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), dated April 9, 2018 with the title, notice of conduct of congresses/national convention, the party intends to conduct special local government congresses to elect delegates to the convention.

The letter with reference number APC/NHDQ/INEC/19/018/010, and signed by the National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni was received at the INEC office on the same day.

It reads ‘we write to advise that our party is scheduled to conduct Ward, local government, state congresses and national convention to fill vacant offices arising from effusion of time or appointment into government offices, death and other reasons as stipulated in Article 17 of our party’s constitution.

“Please be informed that we also intend to conduct special local government congresses to elect delegates to our forthcoming national convention, meanwhile, this serves as a formal notice in line with the provision of Electoral Act.”

According to the letter, ward congresses are to hold on Wednesday, May 2, local government congresses to hold Saturday, May 5th, State congresses to hold on Wednesday, May 9 while the national convention will hold on May 16.

The National Executive Committee of the party had directed the conduct of the national convention to elect new leaders for the party, but the letter was silent on this

Meanwhile, a governorship aspirant of the party in Ekiti state, Bamidele Opeyemi has promised to be an unusual governor if elected to the exalted position.

Opeyemi, who is angling for the position on the platform of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) said he has developed a blueprint tagged “Keeping Hope Alive” required to chart the course of development of the state.

Opeyemi, who spoke to newsmen after submitting his nomination form at the party secretariat in Abuja assured that he would redress the multifaceted problems plaguing Ekiti state.

According to him: “We will hit the ground running as soon as I am sworn into office because everything in Ekiti has been afflicted. I hope to intervene through the offer of a selfless and quality leadership.

“We will make Ekiti one of the best state in the country. Already, I have conducted a town by town, and local government by local government analysis of resources available and the opportunities that could be utilized by the people of the state.”

“My vision is to mobilise the people; particularly young men and women, to activate their latent potentials in consultation with relevant stakeholders at the Local Government level with a view to evolving strategic roadmap for agricultural development and rural transformation in Ekiti state.”

He singled out the revitalization of the economy, agricultural sector, ensuring qualitative education and the creation of employment opportunities as areas he would prioritize if voted into power.

Promising that he would not let the allure of the governorship office to get into his head, he reiterated his faith in God to see him through in the governorship race.

Culled from The Nation (excluding headline)

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