APC State Congresses: Governors Hold The Ace

By Ayodele Oni

The All Progressive Congress, (APC) held its State Congress on Saturday in Ondo and Ekiti states with former Caretaker Chairmen returned unopposed to their previous positions.

Analysis of the Congress in the two States indicate that the Governors still had upper hand in who emerged at the Congress.

In Ekiti, Mr Paul Omotoso was returned as Chairman as Mr Ade Adetimehin retained his position in Ondo.

It was learnt that the Congress was mere affirmation of names of those that had been pencilled down by the Governors, who are leaders of the party in States.

States where they could not tow same line with the Governor, parallel congresses were held with each faction affirming their officers.

The presence of the Governors at the venue of the Congress, it was learnt, was meant to intimidate the delegates to toe their line.

Among states where parallel congresses were held are Osun, Benue, Ogun, Niger Akwa Ibom, Kwara and Kano States.

The leadership of the party is expected to constitute Appeal Committee to look into grievances in the affected states.

Although there was no parallel Congress in Ekiti, there are indications that a faction that is championing the Presidential ambition of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, SWAGA, which members boycotted the Congress, will announce their position.