Heavily armed policemen numbering over 100 on Thursday took over the National Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress ahead of the swearing-in of newly appointed members of the National Working Committee.
This is just as protesters stormed the APC secretariat to protest against some newly elected members of the NWC.
Policemen barricaded the Blantyre Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, location of the party secretariat, disrupting the flow of traffic in the area.
On Wednesday, the announcement of the new NWC members had created disaffection within the ruling party.
The APC had announced Duro Meseko (Kogi State) as Deputy National Publicity Secretary (North Central Zone) to replace Yakubu Ajaka, just as Ikani Shuaibu Okolo (Kogi State) took the position of zonal organising secretary (North Central).
The announcement saw the candidate of the Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, losing to the candidate of Hon James Faleke for the position of Deputy National Publicity Secretary.
This prompted Governor Bello’s visit to the party secretariat in the early hours of Thursday.
The governor’s presence was said to have heightened the tension around the APC secretariat.
The APC also announced Mary Alile Idele from Edo State as National Women Leader (South South Zone). Idele is said to be the candidate of Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who was chosen instead of Dr. Stella Odey-Ekpo, candidate of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Beta Edu.
candidate of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, was chosen instead of the candidates recommended from Abia State by both the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu and the State Chairman, Ikechi Emenike.
