APC mulls unity list, consults with critical leaders

The consultations were primarily designed to reach out to some critical leaders to produce a formidable and generally acceptable winning unity of contestants for some elective offices in the 2023 general elections across the 36 States.

Sources within the party however said the leadership may have resolved not to disqualify any of the screened governorship and National Assembly aspirants.

The screening exercise was concluded on Sunday with 145 governorship aspirants, 351 Senatorial and 1197 House of Representatives aspirants jostling for the party’s tickets.

Though the reports of the screening exercise of the governorship and National Assembly aspirants are still being collated as of Monday night, our source hinted that the party leadership has begun the consultation before a final list of qualified aspirants for the party’s primaries is released.

It was further learnt that the consultation was to enable the party to accommodate some critical political tendencies at the state level to enhance the party’s success at the polls during the next general elections.

Aside from the behind the scene meetings, our correspondent gathered that most of the leaders from some critical states were invited to the party national secretariat in Abuja for consultation.

On Monday, a former Gombe Governor Senator Danjuma Goje held a closed-door meeting with the National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu and some NWC members.

Similar crucial meetings were held Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Pauline Tallen and Senator Bala Ibn Na’alla from Kebbi State.

It was also learnt that the visit of Imo Governor Hope Uzodinma to the party secretariat was not unconnected with a move to reconcile the two contending tendencies in the State with a view to winning all the federal and state legislative seats next year.

A highly placed party source, who spoke in confidence confirmed the development.

He said: “The Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led NWC is poised to ensure victory at the polls next year and has embarked on wide consultations with some critical leaders at the state level. Today alone, two serving Senators, a sitting governor and a former minister were at various times in closed-door meetings to fine-tune and ensure a winning unity list ahead of the general elections.

“Though the party recognises the role and positions of the governors, the leadership has decided to also reach out to some other leaders in some states that are critical to the party.”