The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that the party’s candidate for the upcoming Anambra governorship election will be selected through an indirect primary.

This decision was confirmed by the APC National Secretary, Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, following a recent meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and caucus.

“In line with our commitment to due process and internal democracy, the NWC has resolved to adopt the indirect primary method for the Anambra governorship election. This decision follows extensive consultations with party stakeholders,” Basiru stated.

To foster inclusivity, the party said it has also scheduled a stakeholders’ meeting at its national headquarters on Tuesday next week. The meeting will include the state working committee, state caucus, and governorship aspirants to further align the party’s preparations.

Addressing recent speculations, the NWC clarified that no official decision on the mode of primary had been made prior to the announcement, despite earlier advertisements suggesting otherwise.

“The official position is that the primary will be conducted through the indirect method. A formal communication will be sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and supplementary advertisements will be published accordingly,” Basiru explained.

Responding to reports about the absence of certain prominent figures from the NEC meeting, Basiru clarified that individuals who are not statutory NEC members were mistakenly reported as absent.
“For clarity, leaders such as former Senate President Ahmad Lawan attended the caucus meeting but were not required at the NEC session. Some media reports inaccurately suggested they were absent from the entire process,” he said.

To promote inclusivity, the NEC has set up a committee to review the party’s constitution, particularly to integrate political figures currently excluded from statutory membership.

The NWC also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other party leaders for their dedication to strengthening internal democracy and advancing the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The party announced plans to engage government appointees on the progress of the Renewed Hope Agenda immediately after Ramadan. The engagements will assess the achievements and challenges across various ministries, departments, and agencies.

Additionally, the APC is advancing its membership e-registration exercise, having mobilized consultants and infrastructure to ensure a transparent and credible party register ahead of the next general election.

“Our objective is to produce a register with integrity that will provide insights into our party’s demographic structure as we prepare for future elections,” Basiru added.

The Forum of All Progressives Congress (APC) Support Group Leaders has accused the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, of working in favor of the opposition to frustrate the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

The allegation was made during a press conference at the APC national headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

The Director General of the Forum, A.K Peters, expressed concerns over the Chief Judge’s alleged bias in legal matters involving the dissolved Benue APC executive committee and the caretaker committee set up to oversee the party’s affairs in the state.

Peters condemned the legal action initiated by the former Benue APC chairman, Austin Agada, against the party leadership and questioned the Chief Judge’s decision to relocate the Benue State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal to Abuja.

He said, “It is a known fact that, after the Caretaker Committee was inaugurated, the former exco went ahead and forwarded a list of candidates to the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission (BSIEC) challenging the leadership of the party.

“You may also recall that the National Working Committee set up a screening and primary elections committee that saw through the primary elections organised by the caretaker committee of the party and subsequently another committee for the Local Government elections in Benue.

“As the forum of support groups leaders, we are disappointed that the former chairman went to court to challenge the party against the party’s constitution which states that members must exhaust all internal mechanisms to resolve an issue before going to the court, yet, the National leadership is just watching.

“We understand that the ongoing crisis in Benue is as a result of the decision of the NWC acting on the powers of NEC which changed the leadership of the party in Benue State and the party must wade in to defend its decision by maintaining party supremacy as enshrined in our constitution.”

Peters further alleged that Justice Ikpambese had openly sided with the dissolved executive committee, describing the development as a deliberate attempt to undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC National Chairman, Dr. Umar Ganduje.

“Today, the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, has clearly taken sides with the dissolved executive to undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje’s leadership. To us, it is unacceptable because there is a thick line between justice and injustice. The Chief Justice of Nigeria should call the Benue Chief Judge to order before it is too late.

“We have it in good authority that the Chief Judge of Benue State has relocated the Benue State Local Government Elections Petition Tribunal from Makurdi to Abuja after granting a waiver to the petitioners not to pay security deposit as required by the law, citing hardship in the land.”

According to the group, legal experts have argued that any decision made by the relocated tribunal could be rendered null and void, as the Benue State Independent Electoral Commission’s elections are constitutionally mandated to be heard in the state.

Despite citing security reasons for the relocation, Peters pointed out that the Chief Judge continued to report to his office without any threats, casting doubt on the legitimacy of his claims.

Peters said the Benue State Government, which funds the tribunal, also distanced itself from the relocation, affirming its ability to provide adequate security for the tribunal’s operations within the state.

The Forum called on President Bola Tinubu and Dr. Ganduje to intervene urgently, warning that failure to act could allow anti-democratic forces to hijack the party’s affairs in the state.

“We strongly observe that the Benue State Chief Judge is being used by the opposition not only to frustrate our performing government in Benue State but also as a direct attack on our amiable President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“We insist that Mr. President must save democracy as the decision of the National Working Committee and National Executive Committee must be respected by all party faithful.”

The Forum reaffirmed its confidence in the leadership of President Tinubu and Dr. Ganduje, urging the party’s national leadership to defend its decisions and uphold party supremacy in Benue State.

Kogi Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has applauded former Governor of Ekiti Kayode Fayemi for standing for the truth, having denied there was no time the she accused him of sexual harassment.

Taking to her FB account, Senator Natasha thanked Fayemi for standing out for truth.

But netizens did not spare Senator Cyril Fasuyi who they alleged concocted the lie.

Hear Senator Natasha;

“Thank you H.E. @kfayemi for speaking the truth out. My activity during his time as a minister was strictly an advocacy to revive Ajaokuta steel company.

“Shame unto Senator Cyril Fasuyi for lying against me right in the hallowed chambers while quoting the bible.

Indeed, God is patient.

Senator @natashaakpoti Uduaghan
Kogi central.

See reactions below :

God is delivering you from the hands of wicked and unreasonable men both in the chamber and outside the chamber……The truth will always prevail

Thank God the good people of Kogi State recognize n love you as ours…. indeed God is patient if not, many for kpai instantly for lying against God’s choosing one.

Dear Natasha H Akpoti I don’t really know you and I don’t fully support you either, but you see that Cyril Fasuyi, I want to advise you not to take the word of that Cyril Fasuyi.

He’s a useless and incompetent senator who was brought to us by the APC government. He has no meaningful impact in his constituency till date.

Worry not, this is his only term as a senator, as he will never win any election in Ekiti North again.

Your Excellency Ma, you are one of the few Senators doing well at the National Assembly at the moment Ma. May it occur to you that, Kogi and indeed Nigeria is Proud of your outstanding performance and Capacity and are looking forward to seeing you do more for the Constituents.

May this very issue, as bad and sad as it may be, not come to serve and fulfill its purpose of distracting your good intentions for your people to drive away the zeal.

May God almighty in his infinite Mercies and wisdom grant all of you the Divine Providence and Grace to come to terms with each other and return to round table discussion for the greater Nigeria of our Dreams Amen.

Long live our beloved Mother Dist Sen Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan,
Long Live Nigerian Senate,
Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Hon Stephen Suega TseAgu is the Chairman APC Media Team Vandeikya Local Government area of Benue State.🙏🙏

Your grace is high. God is with you. We appreciate a good prince that God gave you as a crown over your head. May God reward him abundantly. Let no man underestimates you. You would always triumph in the mix of lies and gang ups. May God guide, protect and show you more ways to teach these men hard lessons. They think they can bewildered you and scuttled your good work, intelligent and productive representation of kogi central senatorial people and Nigerians. We are with you in prayers, by God’s grace. All their evil plans, weapons shall fail them🙏🏻💞.

Our amiable senator Natasha H akpoti, Senator Cyril Fasuyi didn’t say you sexually harass former Gov Fayemi he said you accused him of selling Ajaokuta steel company that till today Ajaokuta is still federal govt property. Pls stop Feeding us with lies. We are still supporting you don’t need to tell us lies. We all heard the senator’s speech.

A lot of people want to use what you have to get want you want like i always said, whoever fight with Grace will be disgrace, Allah Rahma. Always Ozi anebra Oboro.

He quoted the Bible just so he can fabricate a lie. His intel had a network failure. 😀😀😀 so much for a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Dear Distinguished Senator Natasha H Akpoti, you have overcome so much already and I know you have the strength to get through this. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger.
Don’t give up, you are making a difference.
❤️❤️❤️