…Says APC is for all Nigerians
BY BENEDICT NWACHUKWU
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Gov Mai Mala Buni, Wednesday, in Abuja, inaugurated the Appeal Committees for the party’s recently-conducted Ward Congresses across the nation.
The National Secretary of the CECPC, Senator John Akpanudoedehe who represented the Chairman said the party was for all Nigerians.
He further noted that the committees, which will be given the terms of reference in due course will work with the party’s Constitution.
Sen. Akpanudoedehe during the occasion, took a swipe at those who expressed fears that the party was risking catastrophe for taking the bold step to conduct the Ward elections, after the split decision of the Supreme Court that saw the party retain the governorship position in Ondo State.
“In the past few days, the media space has been filled with commentaries on the Supreme Court judgment in Jegede v. Akeredolu, with persons who should know better, coming out with very malicious and self-serving opinions, just to play on the gullibility of the public, while forgetting that our party is made up of very intelligent, sound and intellectually proficient persons who have seen beneath their grandstanding,” he said.
He added that the majority judgment of the Supreme Court has strengthened the position of the CECPC and its Chairman. He asserted that the minority judgment would serve only for academic purposes.
“The Attorney General of the Federation, who is the chief law officer of the Federation has stated that we are on firm ground and advised that we proceed with the processes of the Congresses.
“The Progressives Governors Forum through their extensive legal apparatchik have x-rayed the generality of the issue in their meeting of August 8 and re-affirmed their support to the CECPC and urged the CECPC to proceed with the Congresses as scheduled,” he added.
Senator Akpanudoedehe opined that, “It is trite to note that, the Congresses to produce our party organs across had commenced on the 31st of July and you will agree with me that it went substantially well.
“However, it is expected that where ever and whenever there’s a competition, of course, there are bound to be contestations. “
He maintained that the APC was an organisation based on rules and procedures, so avenues and channels must be provided for party members who might be dissatisfied with the processes, to ventilate their grievances through an internal mechanism, hence the Wards Congresses Appeals Committees.
The National Secretary added that since the party was for all Nigerians, they must show, not only by words, but by concrete actions that there’s no attempt to exclude or sideline anybody in the course of the exercise.
He explained that, “This is very fundamental, not only to the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, but to the preservation of the very essence of the Party.
“Your actions in this wise will help engender cohesion, build trust and confidence in this all important exercise”.
He charged them to do a good job that would make the party retain its popularity.
“Today, you have been entrusted with one of the most solemn obligations of citizenship which is to help deepen our democratisation processes and strengthen the polity.
“You all were carefully selected based on your proven records. We trust in your strength of character, your integrity and your capacity to be fair in your dealings with those who approach your Committees.
“The Chairman had directed that I remind all party members that this is a family affair, hence differences should be handled with the understanding that no dispute is worth the destruction of the house you jointly erected. The party’s guidelines for the exercise and the Constitution shall be your guide,” he added.
