APC Registration: We Are Ready For Elections – Tinubu

A chieftain of the APC, Bola Tinubu, said on Wednesday that the large turn-out for membership registration was an indication of the party's readiness for elections.

Tinubu made the remark while answering questions from news men on the just concluded registration exercise of the party in Osogbo on Wednesday.

The APC chieftain said party faithful came out on their own, adding that the exercise was transparent and well organised.

In Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, there was a massive turn-out for the registration exercise.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many members were sighted at most of the registration centres visited.

NAN reports that at Iyana-Adeoyo and Bere in Ibadan metropolis, members who had not been able to register since the exercise commenced 10 days ago trooped to the registration centres.

Speaking on the turn-out for the exercise, Chief Akin Oke, the Interim Chairman of APC in Oyo State, told NAN that he was impressed by the response of party supporters.

“I want to say that I am not only highly impressed with the turn-out of members for the exercise, but also happy with its organisation and the co-operation of our people.

“The exercise will, however, be a continuous one for admirers of our party who desire to be registered in future.

“Ten days registration exercise is not enough to determine who is our member or not.

“The only thing is that the number we have now will form the data base of APC membership in Oyo State,'' he said.

Mr Dauda Kolawole, a former Public Relations Officer of APC, told NAN on phone that the exercise was a huge success for the party in Ibadan and Oyo State.

“As a party member, I am very happy with the turn-out of our members for the registration and I think it is sign of better future for us,'' he said.

He thanked the numerous members of the party for heeding the call of the elders to turn-out en mass for the exercise.

Mr Adewale Olusegun of Adamasingba Stadium area, Ibadan, said the turn-out for the exercise was impressive.

“If our members can repeat this turn-out during the 2015 elections, then I can comfortably say that APC will be the party to watch during the 2015 polls in Oyo State,'' he said.

In Gombe, the membership registration of the party ended peacefully with an impressive turn out.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that party members and officials expressed happiness and satisfaction over the registration exercise.

Malam Mohammed Abdullahi, who registered in Bogo registration centre of Gombe metropolis, said he was happy that he and his family members registered.

A supervisor in Kumdiyo centre of Cham ward of Balanga Local Government Area of the state, Mr Akimai Andrew, expressed happiness that the exercise ended peacefully.

He, however, called on party officials to provide additional membership forms to enable interested persons to register.

Hajiya Maimuna Adamu, a member of the party in Pantami area of Gombe town, also expressed happiness over the registration.

Alhaji Bappayo Tambari, who registered at the Shamaki ward in Gombe, said he was happy being a member of the party.

Malam Mohammed Dahiru, however, appealed to the party leadership to make more forms available to enable those who want to register to do so.

Commenting on the exercise, the Interim Chairman of APC in the state, Mr Magaji Doho, said he was impressed with the exercise.

Doho said the exercise was a huge success in all the 11 local government areas of the state.

He said he was impressed with the way people turned out en mass to show support and solidarity with the party.

The chairman stated that as at the close of the day, many potential members of the party were making efforts to register in some of the registration units.

Doho, who said a unit registered as many as 2,500 members, commended those who assisted in ensuring the success of the exercise.

On people who could not register, Doho said the short period for the exercise was to enable the party to conduct its congresses and conventions.

He said the party would continue to register new members after its conventions. (NAN).