Abuja in festive mood as 8,453 party delegates converge for APC convention

About 8,453 delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have converged on Abuja for the party’s 8th National Convention amid assurances of transparency and internal democracy.

Chairman of the Convention Central Working Committee and former Katsina State Governor, Bello Masari, defended the zoning arrangement for the election of members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), following complaints from some aspirants who claimed they were denied participation after purchasing nomination forms.

Masari said the party’s zoning formula was in line with the federal character principle and designed to ensure fairness among the geopolitical zones.

He stated that aspirants are only permitted to contest positions designated for their respective regions, warning that attempts to contest outside such arrangements could create unnecessary confusion within the party.

According to him, the party was unaware of any legal action by aggrieved aspirants.

“We have not been served with any court papers. If we are served, we will respond accordingly. You cannot claim what does not belong to you,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee for the convention and Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, confirmed that all delegates had arrived safely and that adequate preparations had been concluded for the exercise.

He assured that the convention would be transparent and credible, while urging journalists to remain professional and factual in their coverage.