Politics
APC Congresses Record Large Turnout …As Rivers Shifted Congress Holds Today
The ward congresses of
the All Progressives Congress (APC) witnessed a huge turnout across the country, last Saturday, despite some hitches arising from late arrival of electoral materials, absence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and complaints of marginalization in some states.
The congresses were conducted to elect officers of the party at the ward level in preparation for state and national congresses of the party scheduled to hold later in the year.
In Kwara State, the congresses were peaceful and witnessed large turnout of APC members in all the 193 wards of the state.
Party sources told The Tide that the party had already harmonized its position before the ward congresses began to avoid unnecessary friction.
In Sokoto State, the ward executives emerged through a consensus arrangement in order to reduce tension and disagreements.
The congresses also went on peacefully in Enugu State with little or no hitches. The Zonal Publicity Secretary of APC in the South East, Osita Okechukwu told newsmen shortly after the exercise in Enugu that the APC was a party to beat in the 2015 general elections, urging the Ndigbo to embrace the party at all levels.
In Ogun State, Governor Ibikunle Amosun hailed the APC congresses in the State, describing it as very peaceful. He also commended members of the executive committees that carried out the exercise in the various wards.
Notwithstanding the massive turnout in the state, there were reports of absence or late arrival of INEC officials to supervise the exercise in some wards as required by the Electoral Act. Whereas in some other wards, late arrival of electoral materials almost marred the exercise.
In Lagos State, although the ward congresses witnessed a huge turnout of members, there were pockets of protests across the state. Some aggrieved APC members from Ikeja, Agege, Ifako Ijaiye, Ojodu and other areas called for a fresh congress in the areas following alleged election irregularities. Several other party members trooped to the party State secretariat, carrying placards and alleging irregularities in the party’s congresses in the state.
The situation was, however, different in Kano, Adamawa and Rivers States where the ward congresses were postponed due to late arrival of electoral materials and officials for the exercise.
Members of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (APC), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and those from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), staged a peaceful protest in Port Harcourt against alleged indiscrimination by the leadership of APC in the State. They alleged that the party had been hijacked by the defecting members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The ward congresses of the party in Rivers State were therefore postponed till Monday (today) while those of Kano and Adamawa states are billed to hold on Wednesday.
The chairman of the committee charged with the responsibility of overseeing the conduct of the exercise in Kano State, Dr Mustapha Inuwa said the decision to shift congress was informed by the late arrival of materials and officails for the conduct of the election.
Boye Salau
Some of the members of All Progressives Congress (APC) during their ward congress in Kwami Local Governments of Gombe State, last Saturday.
In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.
“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.
According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.
“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.
He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.
Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.
He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.
As the news of the defection of 17 members of Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP )to the All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to make the rounds, a cross section of Rivers people who spoke to The Tide have expressed varying views regarding the development.
At Etche, a senior lecturer with the Rivers State University, who did not want his name in print, said even though defection was the right of politicians, peace and stability remained more fundamental than any action that could further challenge the fragile political situation in the state at the moment.
He also warned that the situation should not be used to witch-hunt any one, adding that the state had suffered enough and needed to be at peace.
In his reaction, Engr Polycarp Geoffrey said even though citizens and residents of the state had cause to be concerned about the decision of the lawmakers, there was nothing to worry about if it was done in good faith.
“I don’t think there is any big deal about it – defection is defection. But people are worried because of past events in the state. So, for me, I don’t see anything about it”, he said.
Engr Geoffrey also urged the Governor Siminalayi Fubara to also openly declare political affiliation in a bid to douse the political tension in the state and to provide clarity regarding his future political direction.
Another respondent, Mr Ebere Alex, alleged ulterior motive behind the law makers’ defection but urged both the law makers and the governor to work for the peace and development of the state.
However, speaking on the development, a chieftain of the PDP in the state, Hon Nname Ewor, told The Tide that said his party would reach out to the remaining lawmakers who have not defected.
He also denied an alleged internal squabble within the PDP, adding that there was no crisis in the party.
It would be recalled that 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule, during plenary last Friday, announced their migration from the PDP to the APC, citing internal party crisis.
Other members who also defected were the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon. Dumle Maol, representing Gokana Constituency; House Leader, Hon. Major Jack, representing Akulga Constituency 1 and Deputy Leader, Hon. Linda Somiari-Stewart, representing Okrika Constituency; Hon. Solomon Wami, Port Harcourt Constituency 1 and Hon Granville Tekena Wellington representing Asari Toru Constituency 1; Hon. Ofiks Kagbang, representing Andoni Constituency; Hon. Peter Abbey representing Degema Constituency; Hon. Arnold Dennis representing Ogu/Bolo Constituency; Hon. Chimezie Nwankwor representing Etche Constituency 2 and Hon. Franklin Nwabochi representing Onelga Constituency 1.
The rest were, Hon. Azeru Opara, representing Port Harcourt Constituency 3; Hon. Smart Adoki representing Port Harcourt Constituency 2; Hon. Igwe Afforji ,Eleme Constituency and Hon. Lolo Opuende representing Akuku Toru Constituency 2.
By: John Bibor
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