Journalists barred as APC NEC meeting holds under tight security

The National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) took place on Wednesday at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja under tight security, with journalists denied access despite an earlier release of an accredited list by the party’s spokesperson, Felix Morka.

Security operatives, including soldiers from the Guards Brigade, cordoned off Blantyre Street, restricting vehicular and pedestrian movement.

The heavy security presence underscored the significance of the meeting, which brought together top party leaders.

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Among the early arrivals were members of the National Working Committee (NWC), the Forum of State Chairmen, former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari, Minister of Budget and National Planning Atiku Bagudu, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu.

Several governors were also present, including those from Edo, Benue, Ondo, Ekiti, Kaduna, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Yobe, Niger, Lagos, Kogi, Ogun, and Imo, alongside the deputy governor of Ebonyi and former governors from Kogi, Kebbi, Niger, Zamfara, and Plateau.

However, notable absentees included former President Muhammadu Buhari, Nasir El-Rufai, ex-Kaduna State Governor and Rotimi Amaechi, former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transport.

President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas arrived at noon, with the meeting presided over by APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje.

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This NEC meeting, the first since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, followed a national caucus meeting held at the Presidential Villa a day earlier.

The gathering comes amid concerns about internal democracy within the party, with some APC chieftains, including El-Rufai and former National Vice Chairman Salihu Lukman, openly criticizing the leadership’s approach.