TheCable

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is set to announce Bolaji Abdullahi, former minister of youths and sports, as its national publicity secretary.

TheCable understands that the mini convention for the ratification of Abdullahi’s appointment will hold at Chelsea Hotel in Abuja by 11am on Thursday.

The position for the ruling party’s spokesman has been vacant since Lai Mohammed was appointed minister.

Timi Frank, deputy national publicity secretary, was prevented from taking over from Mohammed.

Mala Buni, national secretary of the APC, signed official statements on behalf of the party.

This was part of the disagreement between Frank and John Oyegun, national chairman of the party.

Frank has been suspended from the APC ahead of his expulsion, according to the party’s authorities.

Speaking to reporters shortly after his emergence, Abdullahi said he would adopt a fresh strategy to “endear the APC on the minds of Nigerians”.

He said his present post is entirely different from his former position of sports minister.

“They therefore, demand different approaches. I have a fair understanding of what I am expected to do even though you never know until you really get there,” he said.

“What I can assure is that I will do the best I can, not only in the improvement of our party but also in contributing to the progress of this country especially at this challenging period.

Abdullahi said he was equal to the task because his experience would help him withstand any form of pressure that comes with the office.

“However, what I know is that every human being is under pressure. Mr. President, the ruling party chairman and everybody including the journalists are under pressure. There will always be pressure because the expectations of people are very high.

“So, irrespective of the economic challenges, we have to continue to weather the storm especially now that I am brought in to be part of the process. All I can reassure is that I will give the best I can to ensure that we continue to move forward.”

On the challenges of stepping into Lai Mohammed’s “big shoes”, Abdullahi said “the way I see it is that there is no template for this kind of assignment. Different period calls for different approaches”.

“Alhaji Lai Mohammed did very well as the spokesperson of the opposition party. But, I think that the temperament that one will need to speak for a ruling party; even if Lai Mohammed had continued now, is going to be quite different from the temperament one will need to speak as an opposition spokesperson.

“More than any other thing, I think that what I am going to do is to bring my many years of experience as a journalist and as an editor to this assignment and be as professional as I can be.

“So, I don’t think we have the same assignment. He did excellently well, but I think that my assignment is different. I will essentially try to do my best,” he said.

Abdullahi served as a former commissioner of education in his home state of Kwara.

He is an ally of Senate President Bukola Saraki.