APC explains delay in convention date

The Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has explained the delay in fixing a date for the national convention of the party.

The Buni committee was sworn in, in June 2020 with the responsibility to administer the party’s affairs and organise a national convention within six months for a new crop of National Working Committee (NWC) members to emerge.

This followed the dissolution of the Adams Oshiomhole-led NWC by the National Executive Committee (NEC) over alleged abuse of office.

But while the committee’s tenure elapses in December, it has not rolled out a programme of activities for the convention, leading to uproar and legal threats by party stalwarts and groups.

Senator Kabiru Marafa has called on the committee to organise the party’s national convention in December, in line with the mandate given to it or get sacked.

In a statement, he said the decision of the committee to conduct membership registration was clearly outside its mandate, describing it as diversionary and an attempt by Buni to perpetuate himself in office.

Marafa, who is leading a faction of the APC in Zamfara State said, “Don’t overstretch your (Buni) luck, we are not afraid of you. Many of us are aware that your appointment is unconstitutional, [section 17(iv) of our party’s constitution is very clear]. We only kept quiet because of the respect we have for Mr. President, and the belief that the party needs to open a new page.

“Be informed that any action you take outside your primary mandate of organising a convention that will usher in a new set of executives will be null, void and of no effect whatsoever. You have up to December to do the needful or we chase you out.”

Also, the Director-General of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Alhaji Mohammed Lukman, in a statement on Sunday,  said key players in the APC must work together to strengthen the ruling party for a better performance.

But the APC in a statement on Sunday, by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, said the interim committee was focusing on achieving and sustaining lasting unity, peace and reconciliation across party ranks before the convention.

“The APC must not go into a national convention, and indeed a general election in crisis. We should take it one step at a time and ensure that the ongoing national reconciliation process being undertaken by the CECPC is sustained, successful and continues to yield results.

“While a section of the media has been awash with reports of a tenure extension for the CECPC, the focus remains achieving and sustaining the APC caretaker committee’s peace and reconciliation core mandate.

“It is important that the APC conducts its planned national convention to produce the party’s national leadership as a united house. Otherwise, the main aim of constituting the CECPC following the dissolution of the immediate-past National Working Committee (NWC) will be defeated.

“A peacemaker and stabilising voice, Governor Buni is meeting all leaders, known party groups and interests in order to accommodate all interests. This has resulted in renewed commitment on the part of party members,” the party said.