Convention: APC denies zoning arrangement

The All Progressives Congress has debunked speculations of a zoning arrangement ahead of its national convention scheduled for June 12 and June 13.
The Deputy Chairman of the party’s National Convention Committee, Senator Chris Ngige, made the denial while briefing newsmen at the end of the inauguration of the convention sub-committees on Tuesday in Abuja.
Ngige said that the party did not in any way agree to zone any particular position to any region, saying that all members of the party had equal right to contest.
He said: “We have not zoned any office to anywhere and you know that zoning is a conceptual arrangement, so even if we agree it will be a sort of gentleman’s agreement.
“Therefore, the party will not deny anybody of his right as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Ngige expressed the party’s determination to conduct free, fair, credible and transparent election that would give the APC reliable and responsible leaders.
According to him, the committee has made adequate provision to ensure hitch-free exercise before, during and after the convention.
He said: “APC National Convention Committee is well prepared.
“As you can see, all the committee members are here and everything is already working out fine.
“Nigerians will see a convention that is transparent.
“Democratically elected leaders will emerge to steer the affairs of our party for the next four years.”
The lawmaker noted that the convention would produce leaders who would move the party to the desired level.
He said that many aspirants had obtained forms for different positions in the party.
Ngige said that APC was ready to initiate programmes that would create employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youth and make the country attractive to both local and international investors.