Date Published: 03/08/11

ACN-USA endorses Akande and Ribadu as it elects new officers at its 2011 Convention in Atlanta USA

Nuhu Ribadu

The Action Congress of Nigeria, United States Chapter at its National Convention held in Atlanta Georgia on Saturday, February 12, 2011 endorsed the Chief Bisi Akande led National Executive Committee of the party that emerged at the Benin Convention. ACN-USA also endorsed the presidential primary in Lagos at which Mallam Nuhu Ribadu emerged as the presidential candidate of ACN. ACN-USA noted the rising profile and gains of ACN and attributed them to the focused, principled and progressive leadership of Chief Bisi Akande, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other national and state leaders of the party. ACN-USA calls for free and fair elections in April 2011 and urged Nigerians to vote for change and progress by voting Mallam Ribadu and all ACN candidates to power.

ACN-USA convention was heralded by the National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande who used the occasion to explain and assert the nomination process employed by the party in picking its candidates for the April 2011 elections. In his address titled “Candidate nominations by political parties in a democracy“, Chief Akande presented a studied comparison of the varied processes employed by political parties in several countries practicing electoral democratic form of governance. He noted that there was no uniform process of picking candidates as each party does so under a set rules and defined nominating processes. He demonstrated that even within countries, parties differed in the method they employed in selecting their candidates. He pointed out that in every case, each party has the responsibility of presenting candidates who would represent their interest and are loyal to the party and its ideals. He maintained that ACN’s nominating process will continue to evolve and charged members of ACN-USA to study the ways the process can continually be improved and make recommendations to the party.

Also addressing the Convention was Otunba Henry Ajomale, Chairman, ACN-Lagos State, who brought the goodwill of the ACN Governors and the States Chapter Chairmen, commended ACN-USA members for committing to raising the flag of ACN in North America. He enumerated the sterling performances of the ACN Governors in Lagos and Edo States, and asserted with emphasis that the same is bound to hold in Ekiti and Osun States. He maintained that ACN is bent on turning the “brain drain” from Nigeria in to “brain gain” as the party would not shy away from seeking, welcoming and deploying the abundant reservoir of knowledge, talents, skills and experiences present at the convention. He acknowledged the dedication and performance of ACN-USA members who have joined the governing team in Lagos and Edo and insisted that the same level of dedication and performance is envisaged from those joining ACN governments in Ekiti and Osun.

A profile of the party’s flag bearer in April 2011 Presidential Election, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu was presented by Dr. Dawudu who saluted the qualities and character of Malam Ribadu. He urged the convention to gear up to work to elect our candidate as the next President of Nigeria and to be ready to receive our candidate when the Presidential Campaign train comes to North America.

The Convention also welcomed representation from the leadership of the party in Nigeria and delegates from other Diaspora Chapters including the United Kingdom and South Africa. The convention was also addressed by Chief Olu Adeuyan, Mr. Idowu Ajanaku, the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Media and Mr. Kayode Opeifa, a pioneer member of ACN-USA and Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Transportation.

Earlier In his address, ACN-USA chairman, Tony Ike Isama, acknowledged the services of the out going Executive and thanked them for being steadfast in preserving ACN-USA and upholding discipline amongst its ranks. He called on Federal Government and INEC to ensure a free and fair elections and promised that ACN-USA will deploy all its resources to monitor the April 2011 elections and expose to the whole world any irregularities that may be discovered.

The Convention produced new officers to lead ACN-USA for two years. The officers are: Tony Ike Isama (re-elected overwhelmingly as the Chairman), Adesegun Labinjo (Deputy Chairman), Kunle Oshunlalu (National Secretary), Femi King (PRO), Ayo Olashege (Financial Secretary), Felicity Mbanefo (Woman Leader), Alade Williams (Treasurer) and Henry Adesanya (Organizing Secretary).

The Convention was concluded with a dinner party, celebrating the ACN recent victories in Edo, Ekiti and Osun States. Recognition awards were presented to all ACN Governors as well as to ACN leaders including Chief Bisi Akande, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Dr. Chris Ngige, Otunba ‘Dele Ajomale, Oloye Lekan Awojoodu and Barrister Dele Alade.

The convention was attended by ACN members across USA and beyond including the Convention Chairman, Barrister Dele Alade, Oloye Lekan Awojoodu, Dr. Andrew Anugwom, Dr. ‘Biodun Dada, Mr. Kunle Masha, Mr. Femi Akande, Mr. Friedry Nwoghiren, Mr. Lasisi Mohammed, Mr. Philip Ekeson, Mr. Musiliu Jibowu, Mr. Adeola Odusanya, Chief Emeka Malokwu, Dr. Babs Onabanjo, Hon. Shakirudeen Ayoade, Mr. Sesan Omomo, Mr. Tyrone Adeyemi, Mr. Charles Odiase, Mr. Dapo Ojuade and many others.