APC NEC gives Ganduje power to fill other NWC positions

The national executive committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday ceded its power to the party’s national working committee (NWC) led by former Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, to fill other vacant positions in the party’s leadership.

The decision was taken after NEC had unanimously elected Ganduje as national chairman of the party and Senator Basiru Ajibola as national secretary.

The highest decision-making body of the governing party took the decision at its 12th meeting held in Abuja.

Ganduje and Ajibola were elected to replace erstwhile chairman and secretary of the party, Sen Abdullahi Adamu and national secretary, Iyiola Omisore who resigned their appointments last month.

Apart from the national chairman and secretary positions which were replaced by NEC yesterday, there are six vacant positions in the NWC that need to be filled, including the office of the national legal adviser who resigned yesterday.

The erstwhile national legal adviser of the party, Ahmed El-Marzuq, resigned from his position in the NWC.

In a statement signed by his special adviser, AbdulHalim Adamu, El-Marzuq attributed his resignation to the emergence of Ganduje and Ajibola as national chairman and national secretary respectively.

The statement reads in part: “In light of the recent developments within our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the emergence of His Excellency Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and Senator Ajibola Basiru as national chairman and national secretary and the reconfiguration of party offices for national cohesion and adequate regional representation, the National Legal Adviser found it pertinent that he resigns his position within the party to allow for a smooth reconfiguration of the party’s leadership.”

But LEADERSHIP Friday gathered that El-Marzuq, a close ally of Adamu, is also entangled in issues bordering on financial impropriety currently under investigation in the party.

El-Marzuq had recommended the expulsion of former national vice chairman for North West, Mallam Salihu Lukman, for dragging the party to court over Adamu’s refusal to convene NEC and present the party’s financial report.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu disclosed that NEC has ceded its power to the party’s NWC to fill vacant positions.

Speaking during the party’s NEC meeting yesterday, he said, “So, ladies and gentlemen let us take a few items on our plates, vote the chairman and secretary while we devolve some powers to NWC to fill the others after consultation. Let us do what we can today”.

Tinubu pointed out that the country has governance issues which the APC government under his watch is taking head on, adding that the governing party has a critical role to play in promoting unity, stability and love among the populace.

He said, “I know elections are just a step in the process, good governance is another one. We have gotten the trophy; the president is standing before you and the reward for hard work is more work.

“The party has a responsibility to promote unity, stability and love among ourselves. And we have to fulfill your dreams and the dreams of our founding fathers. To be sure that Nigeria remains the focal point of our domestic and foreign policies. You are the drivers of the party. When we have all other passengers, the drivers and co-passenger must not fall asleep and take a break working. Party loyalty becomes very important.

“Yes, we are facing challenges in the court but I think this is the most credible election in Nigeria. So, we must congratulate ourselves. As a democrat, those who cannot accept the results of a free and fair election do not deserve the joy of victory.

“There are governance issues and we are taking it head on. We must oil the wheel, grease it and we are. I have submitted a ministerial list to the Senate for screening and approval. We are in the process of establishing fully the government of the people, for the people and by the people.”

Tinubu further noted that he would no longer be accessible like before due to the burden of governance, just as he vowed that his administration will face the challenges squarely to reengineer the nation’s economy.

The president stated that the policies of the APC government are for the good of Nigerians and are not meant to punish them.

He continued, “I can see a number of my friends here and you have not been able to see me. It is what you all fought for to bring me here, we have governance issues and you will not see me often as you want to.

“Nigeria is going through some issues and I have sufficiently addressed it in my broadcast and the acting national chairman also spoke about it in his address. We will face it squarely to reengineer the economy of this country. We must find a way to satisfy the yearnings of the common man and we must ensure that all the policies we roll out work for the common man. Our policies are for the people not to punish the people.

“To the International community, I sent a message to Europe and America yesterday. To our partners, I ask how you can handle a barking dog and mad dog and prevent a barking dog from eating from the plate of your enemy. We are hungry and the continent depends on Nigeria. We need help but not at the expense of our joy, peace and happiness.

“The party is in your hand, let us redirect this party. Let us show the rest of the country that we are united for a purpose and if we view from the path posterity will not forgive us.’”

Also speaking after he was declared the party’s new national chairman, Ganduje thanked President Tinubu and other leaders of the party, just as he promised a level playing ground for all party faithful.

“We will ensure a level playing field for all party members that want to contest elections under the party’s platform. Our primary elections would be free, transparent and fair,” he stated.

While accepting the chairmanship position of the party, the former Kano governor promised that he would ensure internal democracy is strictly adhered to, with a deliberate policy to engage in wider consultations and make the party functional.

He said, “With boundless gratitude for the confidence placed in me by leaders and members of our party, and with an unswerving resolve to honour that trust, I humbly accept my appointment as the Chairman of our party, the APC.

“I am deeply touched and inspired by the generous words of congratulations and encouragement I have been receiving and wish to extend my deepest respect and appreciation to all the leaders and members for their strong support.

“Our main focus will be promoting party unity and defending and increasing the number of executive and legislative seats we currently hold.

“Under my watch, internal democracy will be strictly adhered to with a deliberate policy to engage in wider consultations and make the party functional throughout the year.”

Ganduje promised that more reforms will be carried out in the party in alignment with the current political landscape.

He said, “We all agreed that we must unite our members to achieve support for our government to respond adequately, urgently and assertively to the challenges that Nigerians confront on a daily basis.

“The challenges include unemployment, poverty, insecurity, social cohesion and the rising cost of living.

“I want to make a special appeal to Nigerians to bear with the president at this trying moment, considering that the country’s economy had been in shambles for years. I believe the policies and programmes to be unveiled by Mr. President when his administration fully takes shape, will surely turn things around for the better.

“Our party must remain rooted among the people, must demonstrate a willingness to serve and make sacrifices, and must be willing to acknowledge and address our weaknesses.

“It’s a huge privilege and an honour and a great responsibility to take on this job and I will do it with everything I have to the best of my ability for my party and my country.

“Let me also use this opportunity to call on members of our party and all the people of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states to close ranks and ensure that the APC wins in the forthcoming governorship elections.”