By Ojo Oludamisi, Akure
Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, yesterday described the action of the immediate-past Chairman of the Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mai Mala Buni, as a great embarrassment.
He stressed that APC deserved complementary responsibilities from its stakeholders.
Akeredolu, who is also the Chairman of South-West Governors Forum, in a statement he signed in Akure, said, “With nostalgia, one can recall the moments of our struggle as compatriots from all walks of life enunciated and berthed Nigeria’s most ingeniously successful political network.
“Without being immodest, APC’s birth was a novel instance. The party’s philosophical beacon woven around its ideological leaning was alluring.
“Undoubtedly, the firm leadership, candour, and honesty exemplified by Mr President who heads the administration that is the product of the APC deserve no less support and complementary responsibilities from all stakeholders.
“The installation of the Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the APC was beyond a call to service. It was a child of necessity moulded to one, instil discipline in leadership and engender coherence among stakeholders and more importantly, to deepen the Rule of Law in our party.”
He, however, said the insidious and appalling happenings within the ruling party in the last few months, especially under the immediate-past leadership posited a huge embarrassment.
According to him, “Without necessarily dwelling on details that are known to critical stakeholders, the path taken lately by Governor Mai Mala Buni, the immediate-past head of the CECPC and an indivisible few, is an unenviable trajectory undeserving of our dear party. It is a disdainful narrative.
“Nevertheless, the courage and determination, as well as shrewd sincerity of purpose demonstrated by most of the APC governors, remain a delight. Significantly, the swift response and prompt action taken by Mr President have, in no small means, salvaged our great party from internal scavengers. We indeed survived a civilian coup largely inspired by mischief and incurable lust for power through artificial barricades.
“Succinctly, aside from feeling very delighted as a major stakeholder in the latest successful Rescue Mission, I express my confidence in the ability and capacity of Governor Sanni Bello to take APC through.
“We, the governors are for the party except for the few “Yahoo, Yahoo” governors (apologies to Salihu, former DG of the Progressive Governors’ Forum) who were hand in glove with Buni to circumvent the will of the majority of our party (APC) members.
“The progressive governors in the true name, mostly all of us, are determined to see our Party through these patchy parts at all cost. None of the scanty numbers has the guts to carry out their imaginary threats as reported in sponsored stories.
“We dare them to leave the party. Their short-lived antics in arm-twisting Governor Buni and probably, some pocket-filling elements within the corridors of power to supplant the President’s will through fake letters, endorsements as well as ‘Black Market’ injunction (procured since November 2021) is despicable.
“Now that the clear motive aimed at frustrating our national convention has been botched, our dear party is on the track to greatness. Governor Bello carry on; you have the backing of the majority of us. You shall see our full backing come Thursday, 17th March 2022 at the National Executive Committee meeting.”
*Tinubu wants APC to uphold principle of internal democracy
Meanwhile, the National Leader of the APC and frontline presidential aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said the party must be “fair” in its dealings.
Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, said the party would be able to make more impact on the country if its internal processes are democratic.
His comment came in the wake of the controversial leadership change in the ruling party.
It was reported that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the replacement of Mai Mala Buni, Yobe state governor, as the acting chairman of APC, while the latter was on medical leave in Dubai.
The change in leadership became necessary after the president became aware of Buni’s plan to scuttle APC’s national convention.
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In a statement yesterday, Tinubu commended the President for still having faith in the ruling party.
The former governor said while party members were free to pursue their political goals, they must always keep the “greater collective purpose in mind”.
“Recently, President Buhari made a characteristically concise and important statement regarding the strength and purpose of our political party, APC,” he said.
“He underscored the need for the party to perfect its internal processes so that it keeps faith in the progressive purpose for which it was founded: to bring forth a better society through just and compassionate good governance.
“Our party came into being to answer the call of reform so that progressive governance for the good of all Nigerians could be established in the land. President Buhari won the 2015 election and was re-elected. But the essential task of fundamental reform and improvement of society has not been completed.
“We still have vital work to do. But the work can only be done by a party that is democratic and fair in governing itself as well as in governing the nation.
“This means that while people pursue their political goals they must also and always keep the greater collective purpose in mind. Let us be guided by the progressive and enlightened reason for the party.”
Tinubu said many progressive leaders invested time, energy, ideas, and resources in forming the APC to provide a better Nigeria.
“The president is a founder of this party. I too have lent my humble bit. As founding fathers of this party, we must continue to guard its purpose,” he said.
“Let not the APC descend into the ways and rank of the other parties. Instead, may we strive to be an exemplar for a caring and democratic society,” he said.
