Recently, I read hilarious articles by fifth columnists within the APC rank warning Governor Mai Mala Buni, the APC Chairman Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), not to contemplate extension of the party’s National Convention. Its quite unfortunate, this clandestine fifth columnists are now involved in acts of sabotage, disinformation and espionage executed within defense lines by secret symphatizers working with external forces.
In their delusionary grandeaur, its not surprising, therefore, that these saboteurs have chose to deliberately deny the enormous task before the National Caretaker Committee and all the good things its doing so far to reposition the party for greatness as they went about pre-empting that the Committee is extending tenure when its not.
So who is delaying APC National Convention? It’s clear that some people wants us to go for National Convention without proper planning, irregularity and divided house so they can have their way to further destabilize the party as they have proved to us that they are wolves in sheep’s clothing masquerading as progressives, and there are indications that there are many wolves flooding into APC with sheep’s clothing and who may swallow the Shepherd’s that are determined to protect the national flock. Tufiakwa.
So who is delaying APC National Convention? Its funny that some say and write stupid things like “Gov Buni wants to perpetuate himself in power enjoying the national office”. This is utterly foolish, absurd, senseless and a preposterous tale. Those people should be reminded that Gov Buni is a sitting Executive Governor of Yobe State with all the powers and privileges in office.
For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Buni does not live on the money of the party neither does he earn salary, its only sitting allowances and most of this money are given out to party supporters anyway. It is also important to note that the National Secretary and other members of the committee are also gainfully employed and busy. So, no one is jobless.
So who is delaying APC National Convention? Its not the Caretaker Committee that extended its ongoing membership registration/revalidation and update exercise for three weeks to keep the job. According to the APC National Secretary John Akpanudoedehe, Its the audit of the reports received from the National Membership Registration, Revalidation and Update Committee; the States’ Registration Committees; and that of the party situation room indicated that most states, for varied reasons, started late and require additional time to conclude the exercise.
The party’s decision was also sequel to the avalanche of applications from critical stakeholders including all states Caretaker Chairmen for an extension of time to capture Nigerians who are still desirous of joining the fold of the progressives.
So who is delaying APC National Convention? The Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee under the able leadership of Hon. Mai Mala Buni had done everything possible to keep to the earlier timeline, however, it has become imperative to extend the duration of this very important party activity to produce authentic membership register for the party.
The Forum Chairman of APC States Chairmen, Hon Ali Bukar Dalori has said that the ongoing exercise has tremendously increased the membership base of the party since the exercise began and has continued to increase as the exercise progresses. Dalori stated: “After the conduct and conclusion of membership registration/revalidation exercise we urgently call for the immediate conduct of congresses and convening of the national convention; and to allow for the completion of all other tasks assigned to the committee by NEC within the time frame.”
He noted that the ruling party has seen tremendous turnout of Nigerians and the mass increase in the party strength in the last few months.
The forum stressed that it was only proper that the party allows the exercise to progress to the best of conclusion.
It said immediately after the commencement of the exercise, members saw the need for an extension to accommodate the second stage of the exercise in view of the mass turnout of Nigerians to associate with the party that was not duly prepared for.
The forum added that having reviewed the development and making arrangements for requisite materials to accommodate all into the fold of the party, hence, the need for further extension has logically arisen.
Dalori noted: “Due to logistics bottleneck and the complexity of the distribution process of registration materials, a number of State only received the materials to commence the second phase of the registration exercise not too long ago, and we therefore not be able to meet up with the reviewed schedule timetable of the exercise without denying so many willing citizens the opportunity to join with the party.”
The forum pointed out that the exercise so far has provided a prelude to what is to be expected in all future elections in Nigeria. It stressed that with the turnout of Nigerians to identify with the party, it was certain that the trust of Nigerians in the party remain unwavered and just like projected, it will continue into the next decades to provide the needed leadership to the country as the party in power, not only at the center but in almost all the states of the federation.
So who is delaying APC National Convention? The serious and hard working Governor Buni-led Caretaker Committee is only waiting for the conclusion of the revalidation/registration of members exercise by the state chapters of the party before planning for the national convention. The party is not in a hurry to hold its convention, as rushing into its congresses could lead to mistakes and fuel litigations and factionalization.
So who is delaying APC National Convention? When the Caretaker Commitee is doing everything humanly possible to meet the deadline. They stand by the mandate given to it by the NEC. The Committee members are all gentlemen. They cannot liar to Nigerians. There is nothing like dilly-dally. If there is a need to do anything including the tenure extension, they will go to the National Executive Committee (NEC) the party’s highest decision making body to approve their request. There is nothing
unconstitutional. Everything is now done with decorum, fairness, justice and according to the mandate of the Committee.
So who is delaying APC National Convention? There are so many things that needs to properly put in place before the convention. We are talking of over 30 million registered members that needs to be properly check to ensure that the data and materials provided by members were verified by the party after the exercise has been concluded. This is a herculean task and it must be done.
So who is delaying APC National Convention? The fifth columnists and co saboteurs. May Allah protect Gov Buni and his Committee members from the enemy within to deliver on their mandate.
Yusuf Ali is a Media Officer at the APC Headquarters Abuja.