APC Assures Convention Amid Allegations of Legal Challenge

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has firmly reiterated its commitment to proceed with its scheduled national convention, dismissing concerns that an ongoing legal dispute could derail the high-profile political gathering. Party officials emphasized that all preparations remain intact, with no valid legal obstacle capable of halting the event set to take place in Abuja.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday, the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, described the lawsuit filed by Ambassador Fubara Dagogo as baseless and lacking merit. According to him, the party has not been officially served with any court documents, further reinforcing the stance that the legal action poses no immediate threat to the convention.

Basiru clarified that the position at the center of the dispute—the South-South zonal vice chairmanship—is not one to be contested at the national convention. Instead, it is a zonal office determined during regional congresses, making the plaintiff’s claims procedurally misplaced.

APC Affirms Adherence to Constitutional Guidelines

The APC leadership maintained that the convention would strictly follow the provisions outlined in Nigeria’s Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the party’s internal regulations. Basiru stressed that the process has been transparent and consistent with established guidelines, urging members to familiarize themselves with party rules before initiating legal actions.

He noted that over 7,200 delegates are expected to attend the convention at Eagle Square in Abuja, underscoring the scale and significance of the event. The gathering will culminate ongoing zonal congresses being conducted across the country’s six geopolitical zones, where party leaders at regional levels are being elected.

Particularly, the South-South zonal congress—central to the dispute—is scheduled to take place in Asaba, Delta State. It is at this congress that the contested vice chairmanship position will be decided, not at the national convention as alleged in the lawsuit.

Dagogo, who serves as Director-General of the APC States Assembly Forum, approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to halt both the zonal congress and the national convention. He claims he was denied access to nomination forms despite paying a fee of ₦5.1 million, raising concerns about fairness and internal democracy within the party.

His legal counsel argued that the suit is not merely about personal grievance but aims to protect democratic values within the APC. However, party officials have dismissed these assertions, insisting that due process was followed and that no formal request for nomination forms was received from the plaintiff.

Meanwhile, preparations for the convention continue uninterrupted. The Aspirants Screening Committee, led by Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, has already cleared several candidates vying for positions within the party’s National Working Committee. The screening exercise, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, involved credential verification and brief interactions with aspirants.

Among those cleared are prominent party figures, including National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, and National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, alongside other key contenders.

As the convention date approaches, APC leaders remain confident that internal processes and legal frameworks will sustain the party’s democratic exercise, despite the ongoing controversy.