The ruling party has been in turmoil as President Muhammadu Buhari attempted to impose a consensus candidate on the party and, at the same time, washed his hands off the idea.
No fewer than 2,322 delegates from 36 states and the FCT will converge on the Eagle Square, Abuja, to elect a presidential candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The ruling party has been in turmoil as President Muhammadu Buhari attempted to impose a consensus candidate on the party and, at the same time, washed his hands off the idea.
Meanwhile, 11 northern APC governors stood their ground and announced their decision to zone the presidency to the South.
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, Senate President, Ahmed 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.
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.