2015: APC takes battle to Jonathan’s stronghold APC leaders The newly registered All Progressives Congress has launched a charm offensive to woo the South-East and South-South zones, which are considered to be the strongholds of President Goodluck Jonathan. SUNDAY PUNCH gathered on Friday that the party, having realised its weakness and President Jonathan’s strength in the two zones, has decided to revisit the zoning of its offices. Sources told our correspondents that the mega opposition party might zone its vice-presidential ticket and top party offices to the South-East and South-South. Currently, the new party has a governor in the two zones apiece. President Jonathan is from the South-South, Vice-President Namadi Sambo (North-West); Senate President David Mark (North-Central); the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal (North-West); Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim (South-East); Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu (South-East); and Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha (South-East). An APC chief, who confided in one of our correspondents, said, “We believe that we should not have any problem in the North-West, North-East, North-Central and the South-East. “But we need to do more work in the South-East and South-South. From all indications, President Goodluck Jonathan will get the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential ticket. He has strong support in the two zones. We, therefore, need to neutralise him there. “Apart from embarking on aggressive campaigns in the two zones, more positions will be zoned to the areas. The South-East may get the vice-presidential slot, while the post of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation may go to the South-South. The presence of the Edo State Governor, Adam Oshiomhole and his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha, will also assist us in the zones.” The APC leader also explained that the present structure of the party was tentative, adding the composition of its National Working Committee would be national. According to him, the structure of the party will emerge after its national convention He said, “We have learnt from the mistakes of the PDP. Although there is a gentleman’s agreement that the presidency will go to the North, others zones will not be neglected. “We believe that even in the South-South, this government has not met the expectations of Nigerians. The rate of poverty in the country is going up in spite of figures being reeled out by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.” The APC’s present interim management includes Chief Bisi Akande (Chairman); Senator Annie Okonkwo (Deputy Chairman, South); Aminu Masari (Deputy Chairman, North); Mr. Tijani Tumsah (Secretary); Mallam Nasir-el-Rufai(Deputy National Secretary); Hajiya Sadiya (Treasurer); Mr. Lai Mohammed (National Publicity Secretary); and Mr. Isa Madu Chul (Deputy National Publicity Secretary). Others are the National Organising Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso; National Vice-Chairman for South-West, Mr. Niyi Adebayo; National Vice-Chairman, South-South, Chief Tom Ikimi; National Vice-Chairman, North-Central, Gen. Abdullahi Aboki; National Vice-Chairman, South-East, Dr. Ayim Nyerere; National Vice-Chairman, North-West, Mr. Salisu Fagge; and National Vice-Chairman, North-East, Mr. Umaru Duhu. The party has governors in 11 states: Edo (South-South); Nasarawa (North-Central); Imo (South-East); Zamfara, (North-West); Oyo, Osun, Ekiti, Lagos, O
Posted on: Sun, 04 Aug 2013 02:41:45 +0000
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