The 12th National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has elected former Kano Governor Abdullahi Ganduje as the 6th National Chairman of the party.
The meeting also elected the 9th Senate spokesperson, Senator Ajibola Basiru, as the National Secretary.
They were elected following the resignation of the former National Chairman and Secretary, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and Senator Iyiola Omisore respectively.
The two leaders were unanimously elected during an executive session of the meeting and later took the oath of office and allegiance which was administered to them by Barrister Mustapha Abubakar.
Speaking after his inauguration, Ganduje said his main focus is to promote party unity and increase the number of executive and legislative seats currently held by the party.
“Under my watch, internal democracy will be strictly adhered to with a deliberate policy to engage in wider consultations and make party functional throughout the year.
“More reforms will be carried out in the party in alignment with the current political landscape
“We all agreed that we must unite our members to achieve support for our government to respond adequately, urgently and assertively to the challenges that Nigerians confront daily.
“The challenges include unemployment, poverty, insecurity, social cohesion and the rising cost of living.
“I want to make a special appeal to Nigerians to bear with the President at this trying moment, considering that the country’s economy had been in shambles for years. I believe the policies and programmes to be unveiled by Mr President when his administration fully takes shape will surely turn around things for the better.
“Our party must remain rooted among the people, must demonstrate a willingness to serve and make sacrifices, and must be willing to acknowledge and address our weaknesses,” he said.
Assuring the party leaders of his readiness to serve, Ganduje said: “It’s a huge privilege and an honour and a great responsibility to take on this job and I will do it with everything I have to the best of my ability for my party and my country.
“We will ensure a level playing field for all party members that want to contest elections under the party’s platform. Our primary elections would be free, transparent and fair.
“Let me also use this opportunity to call on members of our party and all the people of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states to close ranks and ensure that the APC wins in the forthcoming governorship elections.”
Addressing newsmen after the executive session, the acting National Chairman of the party, Senator Abubakar Kyari said that in line with Article 13(2) of the party’s Constitution, the NEC has ceded its powers to the National Working Committee (NWC) to fill the six vacant positions in the administrative organ of the party.
The vacant positions are National Deputy Chairman (North); National Vice Chairman (North West); National Legal Adviser; National Women Leader; National Welfare Secretary and Deputy National Publicity Secretary.
