Hunger in the land: APC state chairmen to meet Tinubu

Several state chairmen of the ruling All Progressives Congress arrived in Abuja for the meeting of the National Executive Committee today only to meet a near-empty party secretariat.

They however told journalists that they are planning separate meetings with party leaders and the Tinubu-led federal government on the current hardship occasioned by the removal of subsidy, reports The PUNCH.

There was neither any sign of the National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, nor was there any member of the National Working Committee on hand to receive them.

It was earlier reported on Monday the indefinite postponement of the party’s National Caucus and National Executive Committee meetings earlier scheduled for September 11 and 12 respectively.

Although no reason was given for the postponement of the meetings, the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, stated that a new date would be announced later.

Our correspondent however gathered that the meetings were called off because President Bola Tinubu was not available to attend.

The Cross River State APC chairman, who is also the forum secretary, Alfonsus Ogar, told journalists that despite learning about the postponement of the meetings, they deliberately took the initiative to visit the secretariat to update the press on their stance on certain party matters.

He said, “If for nothing at all, even when we know the meeting (NEC) was cancelled, we want you to hear from us and know that these matters (Benue and Rivers crisis) have been put in proper perspective.

“So our coming is not out of place. At least, we have met because Abuja is our centre.”

Ogar also debunked the speculation that the ruling APC has become insensitive to the plight of Nigerians who are currently passing through the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy, floating of the naira, and other economic policies.

The state chairman disclosed that several moves are being made to have a closed-door meeting with the party leadership and Tinubu on the disturbing issue.

“You spoke about the hardship being experienced by Nigerians. Yes, everybody has been complaining. We are not unaware of that. And when we say that we are going to have a closed-door meeting with the party on one side, we will also have another with the federal government.

“Until that matter is addressed, it will be premature to address the press with some of these issues. Rest assured that in no distant time, you will hear from us again,” he noted.

When contacted for reaction, the National Deputy Organising Secretary of the APC, Nze Chidi Duru, also defended the state chairmen, saying some were already in Abuja before news of the NEC, Caucus postponement hit the media.

Earlier in his speech, the Forum of APC State Chairmen, Cornelius Ojelabi, expressed their condolences to the family of the late Oyo party chairman, Isaac Omodewu, who died last week.

This was just as he condoled the Borno governor and the vice president over the flood incident, which has claimed some lives and rendered many homeless.

The Lagos APC chairman also applauded the Ganduje-led NWC for extending the tenure of the Rivers State caretaker committee led by Chief Tony Okocha.