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Concerns Over NEC, Caucus Meetings In APC As Ganduje’s Fate Splits Govs

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There are growing concerns in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the failure of the party’s national chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to convene National Caucus and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings.

Reports on Sunday claimed that the two organs of the party are key in fine-tuning and ratifying decisions of the National Working Committee (NWC), especially the NEC, which is its second highest decision-making organ.

Unlike the NWC, which is saddled with the day-to-day running of the party, the NEC ratifies NWC’s decisions on key issues, and where necessary, subjects them to the national convention, which is the highest organ, for final decisions.

The APC constitution provides that NEC meetings should be held quarterly to brainstorm and review developments in the party, with a view to ensuring its progress and stability.

Sources in the APC, however, said that aside from the national caucus and NEC meetings yet to be convened, the National Advisory Council of the party was also yet to be constituted despite being an advisory body of elders expected to serve as the conscience of the party, like the Board of Trustees (BoT) in other cases.

Findings revealed that since Ganduje was appointed as the APC helmsman at a NEC meeting held on August 3, 2023, only the NWC has been meeting, while all other organs have remained comatose.

Recall that from August last year till date, several members of the party have made efforts, including threats of legal action, to ensure that a NEC meeting is held, at least to ratify some key decisions reached by the NWC, but the efforts have so far yielded no results.

Sources said Ganduje was afraid of summoning the NEC for fear of being sacked, sequel to several protests against him.

However, another source close to the national chairman said the issue of convening the NEC and National Caucus meeting was not entirely Ganduje’s affair. The source said the former Kano State governor had reached out to the president on this, but was yet to receive a commitment concerning a potential date.

Recall that an alleged corruption case in Kano and a recent “purported” sack by executives from his ward and the litigation that followed had ignited protests against Ganduje within the party, with stakeholders calling for his head.

Analysts say that judging from the coalition of forces against Ganduje, it would take a miracle for him to survive the numerous onslaughts against him and complete his tenure.

Pundits have also argued that the only suspense subsisting in the episode is the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu factor.

Governors split over Ganduje’s fate

Sources told our correspondent yesterday that governors who are members of the party were divided over calls for Ganduje’s resignation, which is believed to be a major impediment to the NEC and National Caucus meetings.

It was gathered that while some governors are behind him, others who are not convinced about his emergence or his leadership are said to be holding back on launching an all-out war because they fear this might pit them against the president. Some of those in the latter group are said to have strategically stopped attending APC events.

Also, some of those in this group have also stayed off the APC national secretariat in Abuja.

The Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF), led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, has also been observed to have taken a back seat in recent times, as observers noted that unlike what was obtainable in the past, the forum has not been holding regular meetings.

Party leaders worry over state of affairs

On March 23, 2024, the APC national chairman, Ganduje, said President Tinubu had approved the NWC proposal to carry out a nationwide e-registration of members.

He disclosed this when he hosted some APC state chairmen at the headquarters of the party in Abuja.

Ganduje said, “The president has granted your requests, especially on political appointments. He is doing something about it. He also emphasised the importance of electronic registration, which we have been working on with the consultant and our committee at the headquarters, which has gone far.

“Now, we are going to the grassroots level. It (e-registration) will be connected across all the wards of the federation, but you need to oversee the recruitment of officials who will undertake the exercise.”

But some stakeholders of the APC said it was the responsibility of the NEC, not President Tinubu, to approve the e-registration of members nationwide.

Some members of various organs who spoke with our correspondent yesterday expressed displeasure over the issues, saying, “The APC has turned into a one-man show.”

A member of the National Caucus, who asked not to be named, told Daily Trust yesterday that Ganduje’s action was driving the party on the path of implosion.

The politician, who played a role in the formation of the APC, advised that if Ganduje is afraid of being sacked by the NEC, he should lobby majority of members on his side.

He also blamed President Tinubu, who anointed Ganduje, for not intervening in the interest of the party.

He said, “Tinubu borrowed this thing from Buhari, who never took the organs of the APC seriously. So, it appears to be infectious and the bug caught up with Tinubu and he acts alone.

“I am sure he just passes down instructions to the national chairman, who was handpicked. The real owners of the party are sidelined. Anyone who has a divergent view is not tolerated. So, we are in for autocracy. It is unfortunate.

“We have a national chairman who was appointed against the wishes of the North Central zone, which should replace Abdullahi Adamu.

“As it stands, it is like they are calling for implosion. This kind of thing is condemnable and should not be allowed to continue. The APC leadership is not ready to be questioned.”

Last week, a former national vice chairman (North West) of the APC, Salihu Mohammed Lukman said, “The NWC of the party has appropriated the powers of all organs, and in its name, the national chairman is taking discretionary decisions.

“With such reality, many of the decisions taken not only violate sections of the APC constitution but also undermine sections 221–229 of part Il of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended, as well as the Electoral Act 2022.”

Similarly, another chieftain of the APC who craved anonymity told our correspondent in a telephone interview that “what is happening now is the opposite of APC’s founding vision. Something needs to be done urgently to correct the anomaly.”

But reacting, the APC national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, a lawyer, said, “We have not scheduled NEC meeting yet. When we schedule it we will make an announcement. So, our members should be patient.”

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Nigerian Senate moves to mandate use of locally-made automobiles by govt agencies

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May 15, 2025

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The Senate on Thursday extended the legislative process aimed at mandating the ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) of government to prioritise locally manufactured automobiles in their procurement processes.

Specifically, the piece of legislation, titled: Local Automotive Industry Patronage Bill, 2025, sponsored by Senator Patrick Ndubueze (APC Imo North), passed second reading during the plenary.

Leading debate on the bill, Ndubueze decried Nigeria’s longstanding overdependence on imported goods, especially automobiles, saying the practice has negatively impacted the naira and undermined local industries.

“Any country that aims to achieve steady economic growth and development must have a policy that encourages and provides a framework for local production. It is also important that goods and services are produced locally as its ripple effect is a reduction in imports and a rise in exports (balance of trade),” he said.

Ndubueze lamented that the country had failed to institutionalize the use of indigenous products, brands, and services and had instead glorified foreign goods of no particular superior quality, saying “today we see the see-sawing of the naira and with every plunge, inflation bites harder.”

He added that despite the issuance of 54 automobile manufacturing licences, only six companies remain operational due to forex constraints and inadequate infrastructure, while several automakers moved to nearby Ghana and are setting up assembly plants there with plans to export the vehicles to Nigeria.

The lawmaker stressed the urgent need for a sustainable automobile policy that would institutionalise the use of Nigerian-made vehicles, especially in government.

He said: “How do we stem the free fall of the naira if we cannot address our appetite for foreign goods? How do we support the development of indigenous brands if the biggest spender, year on year — government — refuses to buy made-in-Nigeria goods?”

Ndubueze, therefore, proposed that at least 75% of official vehicles used by public officers and civil servants should be locally manufactured, not merely assembled, saying “this is the first step to saving our economy, protecting our currency, and creating jobs for our people.”

According to him, companies that qualify as local manufacturers must meet conditions such as having at least 70% Nigerian workforce, investing 75% of their R&D budget locally, and possessing full-scale technology like robotic painting machines and electrophoresis systems.

“Government support for local industry should be seen as both strategically important, a long-term investment, and a national security imperative,” he maintained.

Ndubueze cited examples of countries like China, India, and Malaysia, which initially banned imported cars to grow their local automotive sectors, noting that “today, these countries have perfected their local processes, and we are now importing their products, some of which cannot compete with our locally manufactured vehicles.”

In his contribution, the Senate Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Mongunu (APC Borno North), said the proposal would give legislative teeth to the Federal Executive Council (FEC)’s earlier directive on prioritising local products, stressing that “this law will insulate the directive from the whims and caprices of subsequent administrations who may want to reverse it.”

Also supporting the bill, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Jibrin Barau, said its passage would “provide jobs for automobile engineers in the country and encourage more investors to move into the sector.”

The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Public Procurement for further legislative input and is expected to report back in four weeks.

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HON. EBERE, INAUGURATED AS FEDERAL BOARD CHAIRMAN IN MARINE AND BLUE ECONOMY MINISTRY _Imo APC Chairman Takes on National Role, Pledges Transformation, Commends President Tinubu and Gov. Uzodimma for Visionary Leadership

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May 15, 2025

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HON. EBERE, INAUGURATED AS FEDERAL BOARD CHAIRMAN IN MARINE AND BLUE ECONOMY MINISTRY

_Imo APC Chairman Takes on National Role, Pledges Transformation, Commends President Tinubu and Gov. Uzodimma for Visionary Leadership

13-05-2025

Abuja, Nigeria – In a momentous ceremony held today in Abuja, Hon. MacDonald Ebere, PhD, the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, was officially inaugurated as the Board Chairman of the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology under the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

The inauguration, which drew dignitaries, party stalwarts, ministry officials, and well-wishers from across the country, marks a significant elevation for the Imo APC Chairman and a strong testament to his years of dedicated public service and strategic political leadership.

Approved by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the appointment is widely seen as a well-deserved recognition of Hon. Ebere’s unwavering commitment to grassroots mobilization, party cohesion, and effective governance in Imo State. It also aligns with the President’s renewed hope agenda of repositioning key institutions for sustainable national development.

In his inaugural address, Hon. Ebere expressed profound gratitude to President Tinubu for finding him worthy of the important national assignment. He also paid glowing tribute to the Governor of Imo State, Dist Sen Hope Uzodimma, whom he described as his political leader, mentor, and benefactor.

“I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust reposed in me by His Excellency, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu,” he stated. “This appointment is not only a call to service but a responsibility I accept with utmost dedication. I also wish to sincerely thank my leader and mentor, Governor Hope Uzodimma, whose mentorship, political guidance, and unwavering support have continued to shape my journey in public service.”

Hon. Ebere reaffirmed his commitment to leveraging his new position to drive meaningful reforms, promote institutional excellence, and support the broader vision of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in achieving sustainable exploitation and management of Nigeria’s aquatic resources.

According to him, “The Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology stands as a critical institution in our nation’s blue economy strategy. My goal is to bring to bear my experience in administration, political leadership, and stakeholder coordination to reposition the college as a centre of innovation, capacity-building, and excellence.”

He further emphasized the need for synergy between federal institutions and state actors to maximize opportunities in the marine sector, noting that enhanced education and training in fisheries and marine technology are vital to food security, employment creation, and economic diversification.

Hon. Ebere’s inauguration has been met with widespread praise from within and outside the APC. Many political watchers see his new role as not only a reward for loyalty and competence but also a bridge for deepening collaboration between Imo State and the federal government.

Macdonald Ebere with Hon Henry Nwawuba former House of Representatives Member Representing Mbaitoli/Ikeduru Federal Constituency

With a reputation for discipline, vision, and effective leadership, stakeholders are optimistic that Hon. MacDonald Ebere will deliver transformative results that will elevate the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology to greater heights and further reinforce Nigeria’s position in the global blue economy space.

Hon Chike Okafor at the event to grace the occasion of the Inauguration of Macdonald Ebere as BOARD CHAIRMAN IN MARINE AND BLUE ECONOMY MINISTRY

As the applause and commendations continue to pour in, today’s event marks yet another feather in the cap of the Imo APC Chairman, who now carries the hopes of both his state and the nation in this strategic national assignment.

Julian Chijioke

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Dame Patience is supporting the current Government maybe because ‎ The Federal Government Has Returned All her Properties Seized From By The EFCC- Adesola Babafemi

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13 hours ago

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May 15, 2025

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‎
‎A social reform group called The Crusader has strongly criticized former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan over her recent comments regarding the 2027 presidential elections, where she mentioned that she’s supporting the current first lady in 2027 Election.
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‎The Crusader’s spokesperson, Adesola Babafemi, emphasized that the decision on who wins the 2027 elections ultimately lies with the Nigerian electorate, not with Dame Patience Jonathan.
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‎Babafemi also took the opportunity to highlight recent developments surrounding Dame Patience Jonathan’s assets which in his opinion might be the reason the former first has decided to pitch her tent with the ruling party.
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‎He pointed out that the current administration had returned properties previously seized from her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
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‎”It is worth mentioning that the federal government has returned all properties seized from Dame Patience by the EFCC. This raises questions about her motivations and her alignment with the ruling party,”
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