APC State Chairmen Seek Meeting with Federal Govt Over Hardship

Several state chairmen of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) arrived in Abuja on Thursday for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, only to find a near-empty party secretariat. Despite the absence of party leaders, including National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje and any members of the National Working Committee (NWC), the state chairmen revealed their intentions to hold separate meetings with party leaders and the Federal Government to address the economic hardship caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy.

Earlier reports confirmed the indefinite postponement of the APC’s National Caucus and NEC meetings, originally scheduled for September 11 and 12. Although the National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, did not provide reasons for the delay, insiders suggest that President Bola Tinubu’s unavailability was the primary cause.

Alfonsus Ogar, Cross River State APC chairman and secretary of the forum, stated that, despite the postponement, the state chairmen decided to gather at the party secretariat to update the press on their concerns, including internal crises in states like Benue and Rivers.

Ogar emphasized that the party is sensitive to the challenges Nigerians are facing, particularly the hardships resulting from the removal of fuel subsidies, the floating of the naira, and other economic policies. He reassured journalists that efforts were underway to arrange closed-door meetings with party leadership and President Tinubu to address these pressing issues.

“Everyone is feeling the pinch, and we are not turning a blind eye to it. We plan to engage in discussions with both the party and the Federal Government. Once these meetings have taken place, we will be in a better position to share our progress with the public,” Ogar said.

Nze Chidi Duru, the APC’s National Deputy Organising Secretary, supported the state chairmen, noting that many were already in Abuja when news of the NEC and Caucus postponements emerged.

Meanwhile, Cornelius Ojelabi, chairman of the Forum of APC State Chairmen, offered condolences to the family of the late Oyo State APC chairman, Isaac Omodewu, who passed away last week. He also extended sympathies to the Borno State governor and Vice President Kashim Shettima over the recent flooding that claimed lives and displaced many residents.

Ojelabi commended the NWC under Ganduje’s leadership for extending the tenure of the Rivers State caretaker committee led by Chief Tony Okocha, signaling continued efforts to stabilize party structures in the state.