The All Progressives Congress has formally confirmed another shift in the dates for its convention for the primary of the 2023 presidential election.
This is just as the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party vowed to ahead with its presidential primaries scheduled for Saturday (today) in Abuja.
The ruling APC had earlier scheduled the exercise for May 29/30.
The party said the exercise will now hold between June 6, 7 and 8, 2022.
APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, announced this in a brief statement issued in the early hours of Saturday and titled: ‘APC special convention for presidential primary postponed.’
He said the shifting of the APC convention followed the extension of the deadline for the submission of the list of candidates by political parties by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
According to the statement, “Following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s extension of deadline for the submission of list of candidates by political parties, the All Progressives Congress hereby postpones its special convention for presidential primary from Sunday, 29 – Monday, 30 May, 2020 to Monday, 6 – Wednesday, 8 June, 2022.”
INEC had extended the primaries deadline by six days after six days after meeting with the leadership of the 18 registered political parties at its headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
The Inter Party Advisory Commission (IPAC) had asked for a week extension for political parties to conclude the conduct of their presidential conventions and primaries.
IPAC chairman, Engr Yabagi Yusuf Sani had urged INEC to adjust its June 3rd timeline for the conduct of primaries.
But the PDP said it’s ready to hold its presidential convention today in Abuja.
Announcing the party’s decision, Chairman of the PDP National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), Senator David Mark, assured that arrangements had been made for a hitch free exercise on Saturday (today).
Addressing members of the committee of the Convention in Abuja ahead of the programme, Senator Mark assured that the exercise will be smooth and transparent.
According to a statement by Mark’s Media Adviser, Paul Mumeh, the former Senate President told members of the committee to brace for the challenges to ensure a credible exercise, saying, “You must be absolutely transparent.
“If you have any interest or bias for any of the aspirants, you can excuse yourself from this assignment.”
Senator Mark maintained that the stage is set for a hitch-free programme as all logistics, materials and security have been sorted out.
He added, “We are prepared for the exercise, virtually all our delegates have arrived Abuja”.
He said the PDP had a track record of conducting peaceful congresses and conventions over the years, assuring that the outcome of this convention will make the party stronger.
According to Mark, “The PDP has an array of eminently qualified persons to rule Nigeria. We carried out due diligence during our screening. I am confident that who ever emerges from the convention will reflect the wishes of our party “.
Senator Mark and his committee members also inspected the facilities at the Velodrome , Moshood Abiola Stadium , Abuja , venue of the convention.
The Party is expected to elect its presidential flag bearer for the 2023 presidential election on Saturday (today)
