The ruling All Progressives Congress stated that the party’s leadership was still seeking input from interested parties before deciding on a new date for the National Executive Committee and National Caucus meetings, which were cancelled last year.
Vice President Kashim Shettima and former President Muhammadu Buhari are likely to attend the pivotal meetings of the party’s two statutory organs, which will be presided over by President Bola Tiinubu.
Speakers of the party’s House of Representatives, state party chairmen, the National Working Committee, previous and current Senate presidents, APC governors, and other stakeholders are also expected.
Since Dr Abdullahi Ganduje was appointed the APC’s National Chairman, the NEC and Caucus meetings would have been the first time that former leaders and party stalwarts have come together.
However, the two political meetings that were originally planned on September 11 and 12, respectively, in Abuja last year were cancelled.
Although no reason was given for the indefinite suspension, the National Publicity Secretary of APC, Felix Morka, assured party members that a new date would be announced later.
Concerns have been raised over the ruling party’s plans to reconvene the NEC meeting, nevertheless, as it was called off five months later.
In the last few days, news filtered in that the party might be considering a later date in February.
But the APC has maintained a sealed lip over the matter.
In an interview with newsmen the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, explained that a new date would soon be announced.
When reminded that former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai, had also raised a similar concern on social media, Basiru was indifferent.
He said, “On El-Rufai’s observation on the calling on the NEC, he is particularly correct. But that does not mean that NEC is the only organ of the party. Other functional organs are working for the success of the party.
“As far as we are concerned, we have taken note of his observation on the NEC and we are making efforts to ensure that as soon as possible, the NEC and the National Caucus will be called.”
When quizzed on the rumoured February date being peddled around, the APC scribe told our correspondent that it was also a possibility.
The National Legal Adviser, Prof Abdulkareem Kana, also shared his sentiment.
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According to him, the two crucial sessions will be called at the appropriate time.
“I know we are waiting for NEC, but I am not aware if a new date has been fixed. In any case, it is not a problem because we are not under any pressure to do so.
“Don’t worry. The NEC will be held at an appropriate time. We are just trying to ensure the timing is right to have a committee that will involve everybody, including the president, his deputy, the party chairman and others in government,” he stated.
The Deputy National Organising Secretary of the APC, Nze Chidi Duru, also told journalists that ‘No new date has been fixed. But I can assure you it is in the works.’
