Atiku shuns APC caucus meeting, Tinubu, others attend, Youths seek Oyegun’s ouster, new SGF, Mustapha, steals the show
The cracks in the All Progressives Congress (APC) showed yesterday amid efforts to paper them over. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar was conspicuously absent at the party’s caucus meeting which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the new Banquet Hall, Aso Rock, Abuja but his absence was filled by the presence of the Jagaban, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who spearheaded the formation of the party as a mega party and counterfoil to unseat the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), however, gathered that the Turakin Adamawa might have travelled out of the country.
The meeting which started at about 8.45p.m. was attended by the newly appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
The new SGF stole the show as he became the toast of many who took turns to welcome him. Some participants at the meeting were seen “struggling’’ for photo opportunity with the new SGF.
Others at the meeting include Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, the APC national Chairman, John Odigie Oyegun, Sen. Bola Tinubu, cabinet ministers and presidential aides.
The meeting was also being attended by governors of Plateau, Adamawa, Bauchi, Sokoto, Niger, Kogi, Jigawa, Benue, Ondo, Oyo, Ogun, Kebbi, Nasarawa as well as deputy governors of Kwara and Yobe states and some presidential aides.
Meanwhile some youth members of the party have called for the sacking of the chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, who has been having a running battle with some members of the caucus.
He was accused of inefficiency and highhandedness which they claimed brought division in the party. The meeting ended early Tuesday morning. Insiders said the issue of the factions in the party was discussed and members resolved to build new bridges. Some members also openly shared their fears on the state of governance and disappointment of Nigerians. The party hierarchy reassured them that the President and his cabinet are working hard to change the perception ahead of the 2019 elections.
Photo: Buhari welcomes Tinubu to Aso Rock for the meeting