APC Turns Blind Eye To Aggrieved Members, Moves To Inaugurate Ward Excos

Despite protests that trailed the July 31 ward congress of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and petitions from 14 States over the exercise, the party has directed that all elected ward executives be inaugurated immediately.

The Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party approved the inauguration of grassroots executives by state caretaker committees at its 16th meeting on Wednesday at the party National Secretariat, in Abuja.

The ward congress held in 34 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) while the exercise was postponed in Anambra, Bayelsa and the Zamfara States.

The party on August 11 inaugurated the Ward Congress Appeal Committees following petitions from the States.

At the inauguration of the Appeal Committees, the National Chairman, Gov. Mai Mala Buni, through the CECPC Secretary, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, charged the members to be fair in their dealing with issues raised by aggrieved party members.

He said: “The outcome of your findings (of the appeal committees) will determine when the Local Council and State Congresses would be conducted.”

But in a statement on Wednesday after the CECPC meeting, Akpanudoedehe said the leadership has “ratified and adopts the results of the Party’s nationwide Ward Congresses held on Saturday, July 31st, 2021.

“Accordingly, the CECPC approves the immediate inauguration of Ward Executives by state caretaker committees.”

Akpanudoedehe further said: “The CECPC hereby directs that the conduct of nationwide Local Government Congresses proceeds accordingly by Saturday, September 4th, 2021 as contained in the official timetable/schedule of activities released the party.”

The statement was silent on the reports of the appeal committees set up to look into the grievances of party members.