Police take over APC secretariat

Police personnel numbering about 100 have taken over the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the swearing-in of newly appointed members of the National Working Committee (NWC) scheduled for 1pm today.

This is even as protesters have stormed the party secretariat to protest against some newly elected members of the NWC.

The police barricaded Blantyre Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, where the party secretariat is located, preventing motorists from plying the road.

The announcement of the new NWC members Wednesday had created disaffection within the party.

The ruling party announced Duro Meseko (Kogi State) as Deputy National Publicity Secretary (North Central Zone) to replace Yakubu Ajaka, just as Ikani Shuaibu Okolo (Kogi State) took the position of zonal organizing secretary (North Central).

The announcement saw the candidate of Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, lose to the candidate of James Faleke for the position of Deputy national publicity secretary.

Against this background, Bello arrived at the secretariat in the early hours of Thursday.

His presence is believed to have contributed to heightening the tension around the secretariat.

Also, the party announced Mary Alile Idele, from Edo State as National Women Leader (South South Zone. Idele happens to be the candidate of Adams Oshiomhole, instead of Dr. Stella Odey-Ekpo, the candidate of the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Beta Edu.

For Abia State, it was equally alleged that the candidates recommended by both the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu and the State Chairman, Ikechi Emenike both lost to the candidate of Governor Hope Uzodimma.