The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is yet to resolve two main issues amid concerns that the national convention of the party may not hold.
The APC fixed March 26, 2022 as the day it would hold its national convention. Apart from the internal leadership issues and power play that are manifesting, the APC has not resolved these two issues discussed below.
(1). It has not resolved the issue of giving INEC at least 21 day prior notice. The electoral law requires that all political parties in Nigeria must notify and invite the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to its national convention at least 21-days ahead of the event. The APC has not met this condition. About a week ago, Governor Sani Bello of Niger State who acted as APC National Chairman invited INEC to its planned convention
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A report by The Punch revealed that INEC rejected that invitation on the ground that Mai Mala Buni is the acting APC National Chairman it recognizes. INEC also pointed out that the invitation came less than 21 days as required by law. This is an issue APC has not resolved even as Buni is back. The convention is barely six days from today.
(2). APC has not resolved the issue of venue for the convention. An earlier report by The Punch stated that some forces within the party are pushing for the convention to hold in Lagos. Others proposed Plateau State or somewhere else. From all indications, those opposing forces are against Abuja being the venue for some reasons. Buni did not mention the venue of the event when he announced the date as March 26, 2022. Till now, the issue of venue is yet to be resolved as the D-Day approaches.
Apart from the issue of venue which has not been resolved, the legal requirement of giving INEC 21 days prior notice may prevent the APC from holding its convention.