The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Monday in Abuja reconciled the warring factions within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, chapter of the party.

To this end, the National Vice Chairman (North) of the party, Muazu Rijau, inaugurated the new State Working Committee, SWC, and charged them to commence their work immediately.

He gave the directive following the inauguration of the new SWC at the national secretariat of the party on Monday in Abuja.

Speaking with newsmen after the reconciliation meeting, the Zonal Secretary of APC North Central, Yakubu Mohamed, said there had been issues previously, but everything has now been resolved.

He said: “I’m privileged to address you here today to announce the outcome of today’s gathering at the national secretariat with the newly reconciled executive of the party in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) being inaugurated on behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC) by the National Vice Chairman (North), Muazu Bawa Rijau.

“He inaugurated them and asked them to go back to the FCT Secretariat and start working. They are the State Working Committee (SWC).

“There were a lot of issues, but we are now united. The party is united. They will now go back to start on a clean slate and work hard to deliver the party in the Federal Capital Territory.

“Thank God this issue has been resolved. Today, we have an authentic list of the State Executive Committee, as well as the authentic lists of the local government executive and ward excos in the FCT.”

Speaking on the 2026 FCT Council elections, Mohamed assured that they would deliver the FCT to the APC.

He added: “We are promising the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, by the special grace of God, that come 2027, we are going to deliver the FCT for the APC.

“We will deliver the six area councils and the 62 wards in the FCT. We assure you, we have no doubt. We are now united, and this unity will extend down to the wards,” he declared.

There are indications that the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal will resume proceedings today, January 28, 2025, at its new venue in Abuja.

The Tribunal could not sit today following delays caused by the unprepared state of the new site, located at the National Judicial Institute’s (NJI) Mohammed Bello Centre, Abuja.

A visit to the NJI, situated near the Dantata Flyover on the Lugbe-Airport Expressway, revealed that Monday’s session could not hold as initially scheduled. Staff at the Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad Guest Suites and Apartments, which will host the tribunal, disclosed that the venue was still being prepared. They even apologized for the inconvenience caused to lawyers, petitioners, respondents, and other interested parties, asking them to return on Tuesday.

The tribunal was moved from Benin City to Abuja following rising security concerns. Supporters of the petitioners had repeatedly attempted to disrupt proceedings in Benin, with one incident involving an armed, masked individual reportedly wearing campaign materials of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Akintunde Asuerinme Ighodalo. The individual fired sporadic shots outside the tribunal venue, creating panic, fear and chaos.

The relocation notice, signed by the tribunal’s Secretary, Mu’azu Ibrahim Bagudu, was issued on January 26. It informed all parties that the tribunal would now sit at the NJI from January 27 and directed those seeking further information to contact the secretary.

Journalists from media outlets including Independent Television and Radio, Edo Broadcasting Service, and others were turned back on Monday due to the empty venue. Efforts to reach the petitioners for comments were unsuccessful.

The tribunal proceedings are expected to intensify as petitioners and respondents resume their legal battles over the outcome of the 2024 governorship election. The serene and secure atmosphere of the NJI is anticipated to provide a conducive environment for the hearings.

Ahead of the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has fixed the state party primary for March 29, 2025

Already, three billionaires have indicated interest to vie for the ticket without the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who died on July 27, 2024.

They are: Sir Paul Chukwuma, former national Auditor of APC; Prof Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines (UNA); and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, who once represented Abuja Municipal in the House of Representatives.

The date was revealed by the state chairman of the party, Sir Basil Ejidike to the State Working Committee (SWC), and conveyed to reporters in Awka by the state’s Publicity Secretary, Dr. Valentine Oliobi

“The decision was taken after the meeting of the National Working Committee held a few days ago at the APC National Secretariat.

“The meeting was in line with the meeting held with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) boss, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu with the heads of all the political parties a few days back.

“The All Progressives Congress found it imperative to meet and design a programme for the Anambra State Gubernatorial primary election and communicate to the INEC within the ambit of the Electoral Law.”

Oliobi, said the state chairman, Ejidike has assured that the state is ready and determined to conduct a free, fair and credible primary election that will be acceptable to all the aspirants.

“Under my watch, I will do everything humanly possible to continue to keep Anambra APC as one indivisible family through guaranteeing them a free, fair and credible primary election, coming March 29th.

“In achieving the above aim, the party will go for the election with an all-inclusive house and victory will be assured,” Ejidike said.