The youths, under the aegis of Zonal/State Youth Leaders of APC, who expressed fears over the zoning arrangement of the party, shortly after their emergency meeting, noted that micro-zoning of the senate presidency and speakership of the House of Representatives to the exclusion of other positions and other zones was a recipe for chaos.

Speaking on behalf of others, while reading their communique, the North Central leader, Comrade Terver Aginde called for immediate National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party to ensure that all positions in the National Assembly were immediately zoned to accommodate the six geo-political zones for equity and fairness.

They said no zone was less important than the other, adding that zonal stakeholders should be allowed to own and determine the process.

Asking who was benefitting from the micro-zoning of the National Assembly positions, the youth leaders, made up of six zonal and 31 state leaders said: “Whilst we agree with the initiative to determine National Assembly leadership within defined parameters of zoning and ranking to ensure stability and discipline within the ranks of the party, we must do so without undermining the independence of the legislature.

“We consider the micro zoning as a recipe for chaos mindful of the experience of 2015. It is anomalous to have made a pronouncement on the position of the Senate Presidency and Speakership of the House of Representatives to the exclusion of other positions and other zones.”

The group added: “It is pertinent for members of our great party to note that the purported NWC decision is suspect. Not even the respected and revered national caucus of the APC comprising of major stakeholders such as President Muhammadu Buhari. APC governors, party stalwarts and BoT members addressed the issue.

“We are curious to ask for instance how the decision was arrived at, who moved the motion for micro zoning, who seconded the motion, who voted for micro zoning and who was against micro zoning.

“We dare ask who is benefiting from this micro zoning arrangement, an individual or the party? Party members will be glad to see the minutes of the meeting where such decision was taken.”

The group said lack of consultation was what had brought rancour amongst the rank and file of the party.

“All these are the result of the absence of consultation and lack of input from party stakeholders. We know for sure the rules governing the APC as far as decision making is concerned.

“Consistent with the provisions of Article 13, Sections 13.3 and 13.4 of the APC Constitution (2014 as amended), we know for a fact that every major decision of the party must be ratified by national executive council.

“It is worthy of mention that even Mr. President’s candidacy for party primary in the 2019 election which was rightly zoned to the North West by the party had to be subjected to ratification by NBC.

“We know that every organ of the party has been constitutionally created and assigned specific roles, yet the zonal and state organs have been rendered inactive.”

The youth demanded that the party should “ensure that the various organs of the party at zonal and state levels are made functional in accordance with the laws governing the party and to reposition the party beyond President Muhammadu Buhari and 2023”.

They appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to consult the youth organs of the party in his next cabinet appointments, especially those that affect the youths.