APC Convention: 60 Aspirants Pick Nomination Forms

• Ndoma Egba resumes duty

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
The former Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2018 National Convention Committee, Senator Benjamin Uwajimogu, has said no fewer than 60 aspirants have bought nomination forms to contest various positions.

Uwajumogu, who resigned as secretary of the committee last weekend, said  yesterday while  handing over to his successor, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, that the committee would stick to the timetable released earlier.

“Recall that during my resignation last weekend, I had hinged it on personal reasons especially as it coincided with the date of the convention.

“I am happy to inform you and to receive the good news about the appointment of a fine gentleman and the former leader of the Senate who doubles as chairman of the refurbished Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC),  Ndoma-Egba.

“He is here to officially take over from me as the secretary of the national convention committee, and let me assure you that the 2018 national convention will be one of the best to be organised by the APC,” he said.
Uwajumogu also gave update on the progress of the convention, disclosing: “As at today, more than 60 aspirants have bought forms for the vacant positions yet the sale of forms is still ongoing. However, we are keeping to the timetable released earlier.

“Everything is still in order and my leaving the position will not affect the process. I know very well that with the experiences Ndoma-Egba has, he will bring more vibes to this convention scheduled for June 23. I welcome and wish you the best.”

He said he was not disappointed that the national leadership of the party appointed a South-south party member to take over from him instead of South-east person he requested during his resignation.

“I was not disappointed because Ndoma-Egba is from the eastern region and I believe that he is most qualified and most positioned to succeed me as secretary of the convention. He has the competence to take the convention to a successful conclusion.
Responding, Ndoma-Egba thanked Uwajumogu for setting a very strong framework and very clear footpaths to a very successful 2018 convention.

“You have done the bulk of the work, mine is just to continue and conclude the good work you have started.
“I share your feelings that the 2018 convention will be a very successful one and this is in spite of your departure for personal reasons which we understand and it will not impact negatively on the arrangements you have made because they are already on ground and they are entrenched, mine is to make sure that we move forward, “ he said.

On his readiness to work under pressure, Ndoma-Egba said: “I don’t know what kind of pressure that will be more than having more than 108 peers. I managed 108 senators in the seventh senate as the majority leader and in the sixth Senate, I was the deputy majority leader. I am used to operating under pressure and I can cope with any kind of pressure.”

Asked how he intends to combine the NDDC job with the new assignment, he said: “Hopefully by the 23rd of this month, this assignment should be over. It is a very short assignment; intense but short.”
Regarding the issue of imposition of candidates, Ndoma-Egba said: “I have a list from the party and that is the one I am going to work with. How the list was compiled, I wouldn’t know but as long as it is the authentic list, that is what I will be using.”

Related Articles