APC Reaffirms Zoning Formula After Delta Chieftain’s Disrupted Bid

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reaffirmed its commitment to the existing zoning formula for national offices following a disruption at its secretariat. A party chieftain from Delta state, Honourable Paul Oyiborume Yovwe, attempted to purchase nomination forms for the National Secretary position, which allegedly contradicts the party’s internal arrangement. The party’s leadership has since intervened, directing all aspirants to adhere strictly to the approved zoning template ahead of its upcoming National Convention.

According to the zoning framework ratified at the National Executive Committee meeting in December, the National Secretary position is designated for the South-West zone and micro-zoned to Osun state. This arrangement is part of a broader consensus that retains key offices in specific regions, with the National Chairman in the North-Central, the National Publicity Secretary in the South-South, and various deputy positions allocated to Borno, Enugu, and Nasarawa states. The party has also indicated a preference for returning most current NWC members through a consensus option.

Honourable Yovwe expressed frustration over being denied the forms, claiming he had made the required payment and insisting that the office was zoned to the “south” at large, rather than exclusively to the South-West. His actions prompted a mild drama at the national secretariat, highlighting a potential misunderstanding or challenge to the internal zoning agreement among members from Delta state.

In response, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, issued a firm directive reminding all aspirants that the existing zoning arrangement remains “valid and applicable.” In a statement, he urged candidates to be “strictly guided” by this framework when purchasing and submitting their Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for the March 27th to 28th National Convention.