…As party’s NEC, Caucus passes votes of confidence on Ganduje
By Lanre Oloyede
Despite the bad blood brewing within the rank and file of the All Progressives Congress, APC, President Bola Tinubu has extended the olive branch to the aggrieved members of the party urging them to exercise restraint, while promising never to let them down.
President Tinubu stated this Wednesday at a meeting of the National Executive Committee NEC of the party which held at the “Buhari House”, APC’s national secretariat.
Recall that former Governor of Kaduna state, Malam Nasir el-Rufai and that of Rivers, Rotimi Amaechi are some of the party leaders who had openly expressed disagreement at the state of affairs in the party.
Addressing NEC members, President Tinubu approved the setting up of reconciliation committees in all the states, with a view ro bringing together those who are at loggerhead on a roundtable.
The president also approved the relocation of the party’s national secretariat which he said has become “too small” for party’s activities to a more spacious area.
Tinubu praised the leadership of the APC under National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje for the party’s electoral successes.
Speaking at the NEC meeting Tinubu expressed confidence in the party’s role in driving national and African development.
Acknowledging economic challenges, Tinubu assured Nigerians of his determination to fulfill his promises despite criticisms. He also lauded Ganduje’s leadership for securing APC’s electoral victories.
“I have heard your various remarks on how we have strengthened the security of our sovereignty and food security in the country.
“I am grateful to all Nigerians for the electoral successes that we have recorded from one state to another and I am also happy for the various people joining us in the National Assembly.
“On the economy, I am happy the food prices are going down particularly during this Ramadan period.
“Let the NEC find a way to celebrate our progressive ideals and I promise you, our governors and Nigerians, that we will sustain these progressive changes
Earlier, National Chairman of the party, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje who spoke on his achievements within the last one and half years, said the party leadership is focused on winning the Governorship elections in Anambra and Osun states.
“Your Excellency, our focus is now on Anambra and Osun states and in compliance with the time-table released by the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, the Party has already begun preparations in earnest for the conduct of the primary elections in Anambra scheduled for April”.
He said the party has also embarked on reconciliatory moves which he said are already yielding positive results.
“We have also embarked on massive reconciliation of aggrieved party members, and this move is gradually yielding desired positive results for the Party.
“Through dialogue, we have initiated high level discussions among party leaders and other stakeholders with a view to resolving lingering differences among our members. The Conflict Reconciliation Committee which you are about to approve will build on this”, he added.
Ganduje also disclosed that the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), under his leadership, inherited a staggering debt of N8.9 billion.
According to Ganduje, the debt was incurred due to expenses related to pre-election legal battles, election cases, and appeals for legislative, governorship, and presidential elections.
The total liabilities amount to N8,987,874,663, stemming from various legal engagements.
However, he assured that the party’s National Legal Adviser, Prof. Abdul Kareem Kana (SAN), has been actively working to reduce the financial burden.
Ganduje also appealed to the National Executive Committee for intervention in managing the debt.
Members of the NEC passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the national chairman of APC, Abdullahi Ganduje.
The vote of confidence on Ganduje puts an end to speculation on the plan to remove him from office and replace him with a candidate from the North-Central.
The meeting was attended by key party leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, state governors, NWC members, and other prominent APC figures.
The incumbent governors in attendants include Edo, Monday Okpebholo, Ondo, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Benue State, Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Ekiti, Biodun Oyebanji, Kaduna, Musa Sani, Nasarawa State, Abdulahi Sule, Yobe, Mai Mala Buni, Kogi, Usman Ododo, Ogun Dapo Abiodun, Niger Mohammed Umar Bago, Jigawa, among others.
The list of the former governors in attendance include Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, his Kebbi counterpart and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Kogi, Yahaya Bello, Zamfara, Bello Mattawalle, among others.
Also present during the meeting include Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu
Former deputy president, Ovie Omo-Agege, and other principal officers of the National Assembly, Ministers, among others.
