2023 polls: Our actions will determine APC’s chances – Gov Buni

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni has said the actions or inactions of the committee at this critical stage of the nation’s political life would determine the party’s chances of retaining power at the centre in 2023.

Buni in a statement on Thursday said the committee has initiated a new membership registration process as part of efforts to reposition the party ahead of the 2023 polls.

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There is uproar in the APC following the introduction of membership registration by the Buni-led committee, as many stalwarts believe it is a move for the caretaker to get their tenure extended beyond December 2020.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) had in June 2020, dissolved the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) over alleged abuse of office and inaugurated the Buni-led committee to administer the party’s affairs and organise a national convention within six months.

The Yobe state governor said that the committee was also working assiduously to reconcile all aggrieved party members before the convention in order to avert crisis.

Buni said since the 2014 post-merger membership registration and the inconclusive registration updates of 2017, the APC has not been able to produce a comprehensive membership register.

He added that since the APC became the governing party in 2015, it has lost members due to either death or defection, while new members have also been received, hence the need for a new membership registration.

“In the last four months, since our committee was inaugurated, we have embarked on our assignments with clear focus, knowing that our actions or inactions could make or mar the chances of our party, first, to survive and be stable and second, to have the capacity to compete in the national political landscape.

“Our immediate task of resolving the various conflicts across the states have been largely successful. In many of the flashpoints, we have been able to either resolve the conflict or douse the tension, while we continue to make efforts at bringing about an atmosphere that encourages peace and unity of purpose.

“We are soon to roll out massive publicity and stakeholders’ engagement processes to mobilise our members nationwide to ensure full participation and a successful outcome,” he said.