By Emmanuel Mogbede and Emmanuel Oloniruha
Abuja: Security has been beefed up around Eagle Square, Abuja, venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC) national convention, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
NAN also reports that all the major roads leading to the venue of the convention were manned with security personnel, with patrol vehicles stationed at intervals around the area.
While the personnel of Nigeria Police, Department of State Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were conspicuous, delegates to the convention were also being subjected to through screening before being allowed access to the main venue.
NAN correspondents who were at the venue also observed restriction of both human and vehicular movements, in line with the announcement made on Thursday by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Wilson-Jack.
Wilson-Jack had, in a circular, directed all the federal workers whose offices are around the Eagle Square to work from home on Friday owing to the party’s national convention holding there.
NAN also reports that the organisers of the national convention had described the exercise as very critical, as it is expected to produce new National Working Committee (NWC) members who will steer the party’s affairs for the next four years.
A total of 32 state governors and no fewer than 8,453 delegates from across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are expected to elect the new NWC members.
Hon. Aminu Masari, Chairman of the APC National Convention Central Coordination Committee, had earlier assured of adequate security for all the participants at the convention.
Masari’s assurance comes amidst reports that some aggrieved members of the party had instituted court cases to stop the convention.
Masari, however, said that the party had not received any court notice, adding that as a law-abiding organisation, the APC would always abide by the law.
The former Katsina governor said it was unfortunate that some members did not understand the zoning arrangements of the party’s NWC positions.
He said that some members left the positions zoned to their geo-political zones and paid for forms meant for other zones, saying this was the reason they were not able to access the nomination forms.
“We are not aware anybody has gone to court. We have not been served. I am sure you know we are a responsible party. If we are served, we will take notice of that.
“APC is a responsible party in Nigeria. In line with federal character, all offices are zoned. If you come to buy form, you are buying for the positions zoned to your zone,” Masari said.
NAN reports that the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and some other members of NWC are expected to be returned with affirmative votes, as they are unopposed.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)