APC Releases Timetable, Guidelines for July 31 Ward Congresses

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has released the schedule of activities and guidelines for the conduct of its ward congresses, scheduled for Saturday July 31, 2021.

The National Secretary of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, in a statement yesterday in Abuja, said the purchase of nomination forms for ward, local government/area councils and state congresses will take place from July 19 to August 28.

He said screening of aspirants for the ward party positions would hold from July 29 to July 30, while ward congresses would hold July 31. Appeals arising from ward congresses will hold from August 2 to August 7.

Akpanudoedehe stated that each state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will, for the purpose of the party’s 2021 congresses, have a committee of seven persons, to be selected based on their proven integrity and they would be appointed and supervised by the Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee.

He said the committee would be referred to as the Ward Congress Committee (WCC), adding that members of the committees would be posted to places outside their states of recruitment.

The secretary said the committee would be composed of a chairman, secretary and five other members; one of whom shall be a woman where possible.

He added that the committee would be responsible for the conduct of the ward congress exercise in their place of posting.

Akpanudoedehe said: "In line with Article 11:A subsection (i-xiii) and article 16(i) of the party's Constitution (as amended), the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be organising its congresses across the 36 states and FCT to elect its wards, local governments and states officials. Only wards and local government areas stipulated in Sections 156 of the Electoral Act and in part I&II of the First Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as Amended) are recognised.

"The Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party, in a bid to ensure open, credible and fair congresses that reflect the sanctity of internal democracy in the party, issues a guiding regulation for the nationwide congresses of the party. It is binding on all persons coordinating and participating in all congresses."

He said aspirants to party positions in the wards would be elected at the various congresses and must be persons with the highest degree of good character, competence, and capacity. They are to pay the specified fees for the party's nomination form.

The party said aspirants for the position of ward chairman would purchase forms at the cost of N10, 000, while forms for ward vice chairman, secretary and treasurer positions cost N5,000 and other offices cost N2,000.

It added that all delegates would pay N1,000 for the form.

Akpanudoedehe said the election venue would be the APC ward offices where they exist, adding that where none exists, or the existing one for any reason, becomes unsuitable, the Ward Congress Committee (WCC) will identify a convenient and conducive venue for the congress (provided it is not a private residence or place of worship or office).

According to him, the public must be notified of the venue at least 12 hours before the commencement of the congresses.

Akpanudoedehe said the caretaker committee reserved the right to cancel any election in areas where irregularities or violence in the conduct of the election occurred.

He noted that the committee has the final appeal authority in all election disputes.

"Any aspirant that is indicted of any irregularity, violence or electoral malpractice shall, subject to a fair hearing, be either suspended or expelled from the party and shall forfeit his/her right to participate in any future elections of the party for any position," Akpanudoedehe added.