The All Progressives Congress (APC) has addressed the absence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, from its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Wednesday, clarifying that his decision not to attend was voluntary.
Speaking on the matter, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, stated that all members, including El-Rufai, had been invited to the meeting.
“Today, you know, there was a roll call of eminent members who attended this meeting today. The same way notice was sent to El-Rufai I believe, was how notices were sent to these other members who got the notices and attended,” Morka explained, dismissing any speculation of discord within the party.
“Many of them don’t live in Abuja but they made plans and traveled to be at this meeting today. If El-Rufai, you know, wanted to be at the meeting, I bet you, he would have come.”
“By the way, let me not say this, because I don’t know how to check. I don’t know if he’s a member of NEC. Of course he is a member of the caucus, but I don’t know that he’s a member of NEC. I mean, I doubt that.”
El-Rufai’s absence raised questions, given his influence within the APC. However, Morka’s comments were intended to quell concerns about a possible rift between the former governor and the party’s leadership.
The NEC meeting, held at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, was the first of its kind since President Bola Tinubu took office in May 2023.
The gathering brought together key party figures, including President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.
However, former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi were also absent from the meeting.
Security was significantly heightened around the venue, with soldiers from the Guards Brigade enforcing strict movement restrictions.
Vehicular and pedestrian access was limited, and despite prior accreditation, journalists encountered difficulties entering the premises. The reinforced security measures reflected the importance the APC placed on the meeting’s proceedings.
Discussions during the NEC meeting covered key party matters, including preparations for the 2025 elections, financial reports in compliance with electoral laws, and an update on the forthcoming re-registration exercise.
Additionally, party leaders received a briefing on the Progressive Institute, a newly established APC think tank aimed at fostering ideological and intellectual development.
Prior to the meeting, speculations emerged regarding potential internal conflicts, particularly concerning the position of the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje. However, the party leadership dismissed these reports as baseless.
National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru addressed the claims, saying, “There is absolutely no truth to these claims. The NEC meeting is a standard procedure that we have been working to hold since September last year.” His remarks were aimed at reassuring party members and the public that the APC remains unified in its objectives.
