APC announces new dates for congresses, moves convention to June

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced new dates for its congresses.

The new date was disclosed in a statement by Bolaji Abdullahi,national publicity secretary of the party.

In the timetable earlier released, the party scheduled ward congresses for May 2; local government congresses, May 5; and state congresses, May 9, respectively.

The national convention was scheduled for May 14.

But Abdullahi had said some of the governors asked for a review of the timetable because of the Muslim fast which will commence in May.

“The observation was that the timetable as it is currently constituted or composed was determined because of the Ramadan and we want to be sensitive to the feelings of Muslims who will be fasting in the month of Ramadan,” Abdullahi had said.

“Therefore, we try to avoid conducting any political activities in the month of Ramadan… We are aware that some governors have been making statements which we believe are giving the impression that we don’t intend to hold congresses in particular states.

“So, the meeting was to emphasise to those governors that we want congresses in a very transparent manner and to ensure that the processes are free and fair.”

According to the new timetable the ward congresses will now hold May 5; LGA May 12; and state May 19. However, the dates still fall within the duration of the Muslim fast, which was the reason for the earlier shift.

Abdullahi, however, said the date for the national convention, rescheduled to hold in June, will be announced later.