Politics
APC Postpones Congresses Indefinitely
Former Commissioner for Information in Imo State, Professor Vitalis Ajumbe has commended the National Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, CECPC, of the All Progressive Congress, APC for postponing the party’s congresses, and national convention.
The Tide source earlier reported that President Muhammadu Buhari, while receiving the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) at the State House, Abuja had approved the review of the timeline for the All Progressives Congress (APC) congresses.
The President endorsed the progress report, the schedule of outstanding activities with regards to congresses, the national convention and the forthcoming Anambra Governorship election.
The president, who is a chieftain of the APC, approved ward congresses to be held on 24th July, 2021, Local Government congresses on 14th August, 2021 and State congresses on 18th September, 2021.
However, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has announced the shifting of its Wards, Local Governments and State Congresses indefinitely.
The development was conveyed in a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, dated July 6, 2021, and signed by the duo of the National Chairman of APC’s Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, CECPC, and Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni as well as the National Secretary of the CECPC, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe.
No reason was advanced for the action but it was gathered that the ruling party has been having logistic challenges with regards to the conduct of the exercise in states.
Reacting, the Party Chieftain, Professor Ajumbe in a statement issued to newsmen last Saturday said the postponement was in order because it will provide sufficient time for the party leadership to conclude the collation of the party’s data anchored on its membership revalidation and registration exercise.
He noted that with the level of insecurity in the country, it is unconducive to hold the party’s congresses and national convention.
Ajumbe stated that what is paramount was to ensure that the APC remains formidable despite its several challenges.
He commended the Mai Mala Buni-led CECPC for the level of orderliness in the party.
The two-time Imo Commissioner said, “The CECPC led by Governor Mai Mala Buni has done well, and deserves accolades for a job well done in repositioning the APC.
“Patriotic members of the APC must encourage the CECPC to enable them to consolidate on the gains of its accomplishments within a short of time”
Ajumbe said the congresses and national convention can take place when it is deemed appropriate and conducive for the party.
“Congresses can take place when it is proper to do so. If APC must retain power at the centre, and win more states, the party must take guided steps, in order to avoid disharmony among members and stakeholders,” he posited.
The former two-term governor went down memory lane to recall how they founded the APC but were used and dumped.
In his words, “…those calling on us to join APC, we have agreed to join the APC but on clear agreement that protects and respects the interest of my party, NNPP and my political movement, Kwankwasiyya. No state where you go that you don’t have NNPP and Kwankwasiyya. We have gubernatorial candidates, senatorial candidates and others.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us.
“We were among the founding fathers of the APC and endured significant persecution from various security agencies while challenging the previous administration.
“Yet when the party assumed power, we received no recognition or appreciation for our sacrifices, simply because we didn’t originate from their original faction.
“We are not in a hurry to leave the NNPP; we are enjoying and have peace of mind. But if some want a political alliance that would not disappoint us like in the past, we are open to an alliance. Even if it is the PDP that realised their mistakes, let’s enter an agreement that will be made public,” Sen. Kwankwaso stated.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has dismissed long-standing claims that he once sought to extend his tenure in office, insisting he never pursued a third term.
Speaking at the Democracy Dialogue organised by the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation in Accra, Ghana, Chief Obasanjo said there is no Nigerian, living or dead, who can truthfully claim he solicited support for a third term agenda.
“I’m not a fool. If I wanted a third term, I know how to go about it. And there is no Nigerian, dead or alive, that would say I called him and told him I wanted a third term,” the former president declared.
Chief Obasanjo argued that he had proven his ability to secure difficult national goals, citing Nigeria’s debt relief during his administration as a much greater challenge than any third term ambition.
“I keep telling them that if I could get debt relief, which was more difficult than getting a third term, then if I wanted a third term, I would have got it too,” he said.
He further cautioned against leaders who overstay in power, stressing that the belief in one’s indispensability is a “sin against God.”
On his part, former President Goodluck Jonathan said any leader who failed to perform would be voted out of office if proper elections were conducted.
Describing electoral manipulation as one of the biggest threats to democracy in Africa, he said unless stakeholders come together to rethink and reform democracy, it may collapse in Africa.
He added that leaders must commit to the kind of democracy that guarantees a great future for the children where their voices matter.
He said: “Democracy in Africa continent is going through a period of strain and risk collapse unless stakeholders came together to rethink and reform it. Electoral manipulation remains one of the biggest threats in Africa.
“We in Africa must begin to look at our democracy and rethink it in a way that works well for us and our people. One of the problems is our electoral system. People manipulate the process to remain in power by all means.
“If we had proper elections, a leader who fails to perform would be voted out. But in our case, people use the system to perpetuate themselves even when the people don’t want them.
“Our people want to enjoy their freedoms. They want their votes to count during elections. They want equitable representation and inclusivity. They want good education. Our people want security. They want access to good healthcare. They want jobs. They want dignity. When leaders fail to meet these basic needs, the people become disillusioned.”
The dialogue was also attended by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto diocese of Catholic Church among others who all stressed that democracy in Africa must go beyond elections to include accountability, service, and discipline.
The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday resumed plenary session after a six-month state of emergency imposed on the state by President Bola Tinubu elapsed on Wednesday midnight.
President Bola Tinubu had lifted the emergency rule on September 17, with the Governor of the state, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and members of the state assembly asked to resume duties on September 18.
The plenary was presided over by the Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, at the conference hall located within the legislative quarters in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The conference hall has served as the lawmakers’ temporary chamber since their official chamber at the assembly complex on Moscow Road was torched and later pulled down by the state government.
The outgone sole administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, could not complete the reconstruction of the assembly complex as promised.
Recall that on March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers following the prolonged political standoff between Fubara and members of the House of Assembly loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
He subsequently suspended the governor, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and lawmakers for six months and installed a sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), to manage the state’s affairs.
The decision sparked widespread controversy, with critics accusing the president of breaching the Constitution.
However, others hailed the move as a necessary and pragmatic step.
