* [Full list below]
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has agreed to alternate offices between the North and South in the next dispensation.
This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) after their meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Disclosing this while answering a question, Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufa’I, dispelled reports of division among APC governors.
He, however, admitted there were disagreements over time for the party’s National Convention.
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, El-Rufa’i revealed that agreement has been reached on zoning offices.
El-Rufa’i said all offices occupied by northerners in the last eight years will go to the South, and vice versa under the new arrangement.
“We were divided over the timing of the convention. Okay, there were some governors that felt that we should put off the convention until we resolve all the issues that arose from the congress in some states; as you know, in some states.
“So, some governors held the view that we should wait until all these are resolved and this is not borne out of any agenda or selfishness, it is just a realistic proposition to avoid us violating any laws or putting our party structures of elected candidates in danger.
“So yes, there were differences in opinion about timing. Some of us are saying the Constitution allows us to have convention, even if three or four states have issues that are unresolved while others are saying no, let us finish all the reconciliations and we do this convention. After all, there is no time limit for the convention, as long as we do it before the time for the primaries.
“We have agreed a zoning formula for all the six geopolitical zones and essentially, we swapped northern zones will take positions that southern zones had in the last eight years and vice versa. So very simple, equitable and fair formula.
“We will now go back and consult at the zonal level, and look at the positions that are available and the process of the convention preparation will start in earnest.
“So, by the grace of God on the 26th of March, we will have done a national convention. Whether we do zonal convention before that, or do it at the same time, again, the constitution is silent.
“So as our chairman said we can decide either way. But let nobody leave this room with any doubt that the Progressive Governors are united.”
Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Atiku Bagudu, revealed that Buhari is in favour of consensus to select candidates for party offices.
Also answering questions, he stated: “On Consensus, Mr. President reminded us that we have produced a number of national chairmen by consensus; Baba Akande emerged as the pioneer chairman of the party by consensus; His Excellency John Oyegun emerged by consensus; His Excellency Adams Oshiomhole emerged by consensus.
“So, he is a believer in consensus as one of the options of producing leadership, and he urged us to explore consensus, so that we can generate list.
“While recognising in that many people who have indicated interest are equally competent, but knowing that just one person will occupy the office, consensus is part of our Constitution and urged us to work towards consensus.
At the meeting were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha and the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.
Eighteen of the governors were in attendance at the meeting which took place at the Council Chambers.
They are from Yobe, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Cross River, Kaduna, Lagos, Borno, Niger, Gombe, Osun, Kebbi, Anambra (deputy), Nasarawa, Kwara, Kano, Imo, Kogi, Ogun, and Plateau states.
•Details of the offices…
APC EXTRAORDINARY NATIONAL CONVENTION 2022
ZONING OF NATIONAL OFFICES
South-South:
(Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states)
1. National Vice Chairman (SS)
2. National Publicity Secretary
3. National Women Leader
4. Deputy National Treasurer
5. Deputy National Welfare Secretary
6. Zonal Secretary
7. Zonal Youth Leader
8. Zonal Organizing Secretary
9. Zonal Women Leader
10. Zonal Special (Persons with Disability- PWD) Leader
South-West:
(Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo states)
1. National Secretary
2. National Vice Chairman (South-West)
3. National Youth Leader
4. Deputy National Auditor
5. Zonal Secretary
6. Zonal Youth Leader
7. Zonal Organizing Secretary
8. Zonal Women Leader
9. Zonal Special (Persons with Disability- PWD) Leader
South-East:
(Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo states)
1. Deputy National Chairman (S)
2. National Vice Chairman (SE)
3. National Treasurer
4. National Welfare Secretary
5. Deputy National Organizing Secretary
6. Zonal Secretary
7. Zonal Youth Leader
8. Zonal Organizing Secretary
9. Zonal Women Leader
10. Zonal Special (Persons with Disability- PWD) Leader
North-East:
(Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states)
1. Deputy National Chairman (N)
2. National Auditor
3. National Vice Chairman (NW)
4. Deputy National Financial Secretary
5. Deputy National Women Leader
6. Zonal Secretary
7. Zonal Youth Leader
8. Zonal Organizing Secretary
9. Zonal Women Leader
10. Zonal Special (Persons with Disability- PWD) Leader
North-Central:
(Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau states)
1. National Chairman
2. National Vice Chairman (NC)
3. Deputy National Secretary
4. Deputy National Legal Adviser
5. Deputy National Publicity Secretary
6. Zonal Secretary
7. Zonal Youth Leader
8. Zonal Organizing Secretary
9. Zonal Women Leader
10. Zonal Special (Persons with Disability- PWD) Leader
North-West:
(Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states)
1. National Vice Chairman (NW)
2. National Legal Adviser
3. National Organizing Secretary
4. National Financial Secretary
5. Deputy National Youth Leader
6. Zonal Secretary
7. Zonal Youth Leader
8. Zonal Organizing Secretary
9. Zonal Women Leader
10. Zonal Special (Persons with Disability – PWD) Leader