July 2024

Pomp As APC UK Elects New Exco. …Party chieftains roll out the drums for a successful election

It was a long, tortuous journey. But on Saturday, June 29, the journey of a thousand miles eventually ended in glory for members, stakeholders and delegates of the United Kingdom (UK)Chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

The Diaspora chapter of the APC- the ruling party in Nigeria elected its executive that would steer the party’s ship in the UK for the next four years.

The election that brought about the new leadership came with lots of hope and apprehensions among stakeholders and delegates vying for the various elective positions.

However, it was a huge success as all the leaders that emerged in the contest got overwhelming support from the delegates.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee,(LOC) Dr Bonat Dauda, said the efforts put into organizing the congress cannot be brushed under the carpet.

He stated that the Local Organizing Committee, under his leadership, did their best to prepare the ground for a free and fair election that would represent the wishes of all the delegates and stakeholders of the party.

“I am proud to say that we have worked tirelessly to bring this event to life. Our team has put in countless hours to ensure that this congress meets and exceeds your expectations.

“From the planning and logistics to the Accreditation process, even in the elections of officers coming up, every detail has been carefully considered to provide a platform for meaningful and impactful outcomes.

“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to members of the local organizing committee, all our volunteers, sponsors, and partners for their unwavering support and dedication.

“Their hard work and commitment have been instrumental in making this event a success.

” Let us embark on this journey together with enthusiasm and a shared vision for renewed hope.

“I am confident that our time here will be both productive and inspiring. The whole process will lead to concrete actions that will drive positive change”, Dr. Dauda stated as he opened the platform for the process.

Shortly thereafter, the NWC- led by the National Secretary of the party, Senator Dr Ajibola Basiru, gave insights into the process of the election.

The APC national scribe stated that the Congress that would bring up the elected executive members of the APC UK Congress will bring up leaders whose visions are always in tandem with the original vision of the national leadership of the party.

Dr.Basiru, also maintained that their job as officials of the APC and NWC is to organize and monitor the election process, ensure that the election is free and fair and also reflect the overall wishes of the delegates, members and all the stakeholders of the party.

The elections were held peacefully.
It was a very transparent process that was devoid of any rancour.

However, the consensus of the delegates and stakeholders of the party gave all the 28 newly- elected members of the Exco an overwhelming victory at the Congress.

“Today’s election is a reflection of the APC’s strong values for justice, fair play, transparency and a free and fair election.

“I want to state categorically that our party, the All Progressive Congress is better prepared and equipped when elections that were held within the party thoroughly reflect the wishes of the people and that is what has happened here today.

“Leaders and representatives of the National Working Committee(NWC) of our noble party were all present to monitor the election.

“No fewer than 253 delegates were present here today, the contestants for the various positions contested and winners emerged in a free and fair election. That was how it was done in every democratic setting.

“Those that emerged winners are also magnanimous in victory and that is what the leadership of the party, under our amiable Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje is known for.

“So, as I hand over the flag of our party, the APC to the newly-elected chairman of the UK Chapter, Hon. Tunde Doherty, I want to tell him that leadership is all about service to the people.

“It is about fulfilling the dreams of the party and it is about giving your very best to ensure that the APC UK becomes the leading ambassadors of our party in the diaspora.

“On this note, I want to assure you and other members of the exco that the national leadership of the APC is solidly behind you.

“We will continue to offer good and exemplary leadership for you at the national level”, Senator Dr Ajibola Basiru said shortly after the election.

In his acceptance speech, the newly elected Chairman of the APC UK chapter, Hon.Tunde Doherty, said he was very excited that the delegates reposed absolute faith in his leadership.

He thanked the party leaders and the NWC that organized and also monitored the election that threw him up as the new chairman of the party in the UK.

Doherty added also that he was happy that the NWC demonstrated unequal credibility and showed the level of their commitment to the progress of the party.

He stated further that the huge and overwhelming support he and other members of the executive got from the delegates that elected them showed the general acceptability of the leadership of the party in the UK.

Doherty stated also that the election was meant to be contested, won and lost, he however, stated that the outcome of a free and fair election remained the best way to promote party ideology and also make the leadership of the party accountable for the service they rendered.

“The outcome of today’s election was a reflection of the general acceptance of the newly elected leadership of the party.

” I want to assure you all that the new exco under my leadership would do everything possible to promote the ideals of the party in the UK and also bring about the best form of leadership that the APC in the diaspora required.

“Party leadership is truly a teamwork. It is a bond fostered by the necessity to serve in the interest of our party the APC and also that of our country, Nigeria.

“As the chairman, I will carry every member of the executive along in the discharge of our responsibilities

“We are all here to serve and bring our wealth of experiences to bear. We will also bring our track records of excellence to the table. The new leadership of our party in the UK is ready to engage the Diaspora Community.

“We plan to enhance our engagement with the Nigerian diaspora in the UK, creating platforms for meaningful interactions and contribution to the development of both the UK and Nigeria.

“We will also advance Policy Advocacy and we will focus more on advocating for policies that benefit our community, promoting economic empowerment, educational advancement, and social justice as well as encouraging Grassroots Participation.

“Part of our aims is to increase grassroots involvement in party activities and also ensure that our initiatives resonate with the people and are supported by the broader community.

“We will also work on strengthening UK-Nigeria Relations and we will work towards fostering stronger ties between the UK and Nigeria, leveraging the strengths of the diaspora to contribute to Nigeria’s growth and development”.

While expressing his appreciation to the national chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Secretary Dr. Ajibola Basiru, the SA on Policy and Strategy to the Chairman, High Chief Omoniyi Akinsiji and all members of the Party’s NWC for the successful conduct of the 2024 APC UK Congress, Doherty restated the need for unity among all the members, insisting that their new roles would trigger the needed synergy between the leadership of the party and members in the UK.

Apart from the chairman, other members that would steer the ship of the party in the UK with him were the Deputy Chairman North – Dr Bonat Dauda, Deputy Chairman South, Hon. Olumuyiwa Adesua, Secretary, Chief MomohYusuf Obaro Deputy Secretary, Hon. Ayokunle Agunbiade, Woman Leader, Hon. Susan Jegunmah Deputy Woman Leader, Hajia Mariam Muazu, Youth Leader, Hajia Sekinat Adams, Deputy Youth Leader, Hon. Tunmise Ajiboye.

Others were the Financial Secretary,
Hon. Bernard Doro,Deputy Financial Secretary,Alhaji Ganiyu Adejumo,
Treasurer, Hon. Yemi Kolawole -Taiwo, Deputy Treasurer – Hon. Abimbola Fasanu, Welfare Secretary, Dr Cal Amayo, Deputy Welfare Secretary – Ambassador Jamila Zanna Muhammad, Organizing Secretary, Dr Mustapha Bello, and the Deputy Organizing Secretary, Dr Adeleye Jasper Elisha.

Also among the newly elected exco were Hon. Babatunde S Hamzat, who is the auditor, while Dr. Elfreda Onunkwo, is the Deputy auditor. Hon. Adegboyega Ajibade is also the legal adviser of the party, even as Dr. Jude U Erika was elected as his Deputy. Councillor Tunde Ajisola is the Publicity Secretary, and Hon.Vincent Akin Williams is the Deputy Publicity Secretary.

Other members of the newly elected also include Hon. Ayorinde Amoko, who was elected as leader of the people living With disability, with Hon. Olufunmilayo Adesanya as the deputy.

The ex-officio that were also elected include- Chief Adekemi Kalejaiye, Dr Justus Timothy Yusuf, and Dr Charles Orjiakor, among others.

Speaking on the expectations of the party from the new leadership, the newly elected publicity scribe of the APC UK, Councillor Tunde Ajisola, described the newly-elected exco as one big family that would work together in ensuring that the APC UK becomes the toast of all other groups in the diaspora.

He said their roles as members of the APC UK exco are predominantly to render service to members of the party and to work as a team to promote the APC ideology in the UK.

“Now that we have a full house as members of the APC UK executive,
we look forward to a future that is filled with promise and progress under the leadership of our amiable leader, Hon. Tunde Doherty, who is now the chairman of the party in the United Kingdom.

“We are confident that under his leadership, the APC UK will be the shining light for other diaspora organizations and our party will continue to grow and thrive, making significant contributions to our community and beyond.

“Hon.Doherty’s dedication and vision will undoubtedly guide us towards achieving our collective goals.

“He has been an active, dedicated and influential member of our community, known for his unwavering commitment to the principles and values of the APC.

“His leadership qualities, strategic vision, and ability to unite and inspire people have been evident throughout his career.

“As Chairman, Hon. Doherty has also outlined a clear and ambitious vision for APC UK and his priorities are to strengthen Party Unity, commitment to fostering a spirit of inclusiveness and collaboration within our party and also ensuring that all members feel valued and heard.

“I expect that the new leadership of our party in the UK is ready to work and engage the Diaspora Community in ensuring that our hope for a better and prosperous future is renewed”.
Ajisola said.

Immediately after the election, the new exco was sworn in as duly elected executive and the NWC presented the Certificate of Returns to them in due course.

Presenting the certificate, Dr Basiru said the newly elected executive of the APC UK had the blessing of the national leadership of the party in Nigeria.

He stated also that the new exco is the party’s ambassador in the UK, even as he urged them to unite with those who were aggrieved and had stayed away from the Congress.

As the newly elected chairman of our party in the UK, you must play the role of a bridge builder. A father of all. So, take cognizance of those who are aggrieved. Those who deliberately stayed away from this Congress for the best reason known to them.

Bring them back to the fold and that is a major assignment that needs to be done as soon as possible.

Given this lacuna, the chairman immediately ol constituted a 3-man committee to reconcile members who deliberately stayed away from the Congress.

The reconciliatory committee had the chairman Emeritus of APC UK, Dr Philip Idaewor, the chairman, Hon. Tokunbo Olunloyo, the Coordinator of APC UK Women Professional Council and Alhaji Dapo Ayoola as members of the reconciliatory committee.