Over 2,322 delegates from all 36 states have gathered in the Federal Capital Territory to elect a flagbearer that will represent APC in the 2023 presidential elections.
The ruling party has been in turmoil as President Muhammadu Buhari vacillated over imposing a consensus candidate on the party and, at the same time, washed his hands off the idea.
The party’s three-day special national convention began on June 6 and will climax with the election of a presidential flag bearer on June 8, barring further crises that can disrupt the whole process.
Eyes are on APC national leader Bola Tinubu, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Mr Lawan, Governor Kayode Fayemi and ex-Governor Ibikunle Amosun to clinch the presidential ticket. Ex-Governor Rotimi Amaechi is also in the race, among others.
In the North-West, a state-by-state analysis shows that Kano has 132 delegates; Kaduna, 69; Katsina, 102; Kebbi, 63; Jigawa, 81; Sokoto, 69, and Zamfara has 42.
In the North-East, Taraba has 48; Bauchi, 60; Adamawa, 63; Gombe, 33; Borno, 81, while Yobe has 51 delegates.
In the South-East, Abia has 51 delegates, Anambra, 63; Ebonyi, 39; Enugu, 51 and Imo, 81; in the South-West, Lagos has 60; Ogun, 60; Ondo, 54; Ekiti, 48; Oyo, 99 and Osun, 90.
In the South-South, Akwa Ibom has 93; Cross River, 54; Bayelsa, 24; Delta, 75; Rivers, 69 and Edo, 57.
In the North-Central, Kwara has 48; Kogi, 63; Niger, 75; Nasarawa, 39; Plateau, 51; Benue, 66, while FCT has 18.
The chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, Governor Abubakar Atiku, also the APC Governors’ Forum’s chair, promised a hitch-free exercise.
Meanwhile, all major hotels in the FCT and environs have been fully booked, and traffic gridlock has spiked.
The FCT police command announced traffic diversions, affecting many routes leading to Eagle Square, the convention venue.
The spokesperson for the police, DSP Josephine Adeh, said the police had also mapped out an operational order to allow maximum deployment of human and material resources for the convention.
