The All Progressives Congress (APC), state congresses scheduled for Saturday have been postponed in Edo, Adamawa and Katsina states due to logistic problems.
Correspondents who monitored the exercise in these states on Saturday report that lack of logistics, non conclusion of ward and local government congress led to the postponement.
In Edo, the APC Publicity Secretary Mr Godwin Erhahon, said that the state congress had been shifted to a date to be announced later.
He attributed the shift to logistic problems, saying “we want to put some things in place to ensure the success of the congress.’’
Erhahon also attributed non conclusion of the local government congress in the state as another reason why the state congress could not hold.
He said that local government congresses were yet to be concluded in Orhionmwon, Owan West, Etsako East, Etsako West and Etsako Central councils.
He said that a meeting had been slated for this weekend to decide when the local government congress would be concluded.
“We are working to ensure the conduct of a smooth state congress,’’ he said.
Officials of the APC in Katsina state said that the state congress was postponed indefinitely because of the non conclusion of ward congresses.
A Senior Party Official in the state, who pleaded for anonymity, said the ward congresses in 25 local councils would hold on April 30.
NAN recalled that the congresses could not hold on April 5, as earlier scheduled due to non arrival of election forms from the party’s National Headquarters in Abuja.
In Bauchi the exercise began amidst tight security.
Delegates were subjected to thorough search before being allowed into the venue.
Six candidates are contesting for the chairmanship position.
In Ondo State, the congress kicked off amidst tight security at the venue in Akure.
Accreditation of delegates started at about 11a.m.
The situation was different in Lagos State as traders used the opportunity offered by the exercise to make brisk business at the venue.
Traders selling hats and brooms branded in the logo of the APC; souvenirs and soft drinks were seen making brisk sales at the secretariat of the party in Ikeja the venue of the exercise.
Food vendors also recorded high patronage in their makeshift stalls scattered around the venue.
Newspapers vendors also seized the opportunity of the congress to sell copies of their newspapers to information-thirsty delegates.
Uche Onyema, a trader who sells hats branded in the logo of the party told NAN that he recorded high sales.
“I got here around 10 a.m. and I have almost sold all the 150 hats I brought here.
“I have even ordered for more hats to meet the demand of delegates who would come later,’’ he said.
Mrs Yemi Adebayo, who sells bottled water and soft drinks, told NAN that patronage of her wares was overwhelming.
“I have not had a moment of rest since I came to the venue of this congress; I have been busy attending to customers.
“Yes business is good as you can see. I have not had a moment of rest since morning, ‘’ she said.
Mrs Caroline Andy, who deals on recharge cards, said she wished the congress was held every day.
“Honestly, I wish we have this kind of event and sales like this every day. Patronage has been good and I thank the delegates, “she said.
Audu Ahmed, who sells brooms, said he had sold more brooms at the venue than he had sold in the last two weeks.
“The APC logo is good for my business and I wish they retain that logo for long, “he said.
Meanwhile, the APC has suspended its state congress in in Adamawa
A statement signed by Mr Kobis Thimnu the state Interim Chairman of the party, said the congress had been shifted to Wednesday.
He appealed to members of the party to exercise patience for the inconvenience caused by the postponement. (NAN)
