Lukman Kicks against Further Delay Of APC national Convention, Says It Will Be Grievous
The Director-General of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) Salihu Lukman has warned the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) against the further delay of the National Convention.
He said such delay may lead to the party’s political grave.
Lukman, in a statement in Abuja on Thursday, titled: “February APC National Convention Require no Consultation” argued the CECPC should be blamed for the tension generated by the continued delay in the conduct of the party’s national convention.
The Secretary of the caretaker committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, on Wednesday refuted a report of a shift of the party’s convention from February to June.
Reacting to the caretaker committee’s rebuttal, Lukman said the position of the CECPC was a slap on the integrity of party leaders and members.
“This is a slap on the face of Nigerians and an insult on party members. How can a statement from ‘a focus-driven, process-oriented political party’, make such a scandalous statement allegedly assuring that a Convention is scheduled to hold in February without indicating date and venue for the Convention?
“If subcommittees, whether for budget or anything are to be set up, to perhaps mobilise funds for the Convention, why are they not set up with just about two weeks to the end of January?
“Somehow, it is difficult not to conclude that the CECPC is intentionally promoting speculations around the APC National Convention by claiming to embark on ‘consultations with party stakeholders to prepare the ground for a rancour-free National Convention.’
“Recall that on November 22, 2021, the Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), His Excellency Abubakar Atiku Bagudu led a delegation, which include the CECPC Chairman, His Excellency, Mai Mala Buni, to President Muhammadu Buhari to finalise consultations on the date of the Convention. Immediately after the meeting with President Buhari, His Excellency Bagudu announced the agreement reached with President Buhari to the effect that the Convention will hold in February 2022.
“With such an agreement, the responsibility of the CECPC is to go ahead and start organising the Convention. Almost two months after, the CECPC has not issued any notice of the Convention to anyone. Not even the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which by the provision of the Electoral Act as amended is required to be given at least 21 days’ notice.”
He added: “It is very difficult not to conclude that both the Chairman and all members of the CECPC have no respect for President Buhari, which is responsible for why they are doing everything possible to sabotage decisions validly taken to hold the APC National Convention in February after consultation with the President.’
“For whatever reasons, it would appear that the leadership of CECPC are enjoying all the public speculations maligning Governors and some other senior leaders of the party as working to stop the APC National Convention from holding in February 2022. This is most unfortunate.
“The truth must be told, the responsibility of organising the February 2022 APC National Convention rests squarely with the CECPC.
“Unless the CECPC has given itself the new responsibility of being the political and electoral undertaker of the APC, it must stop promoting some subversive campaigns suggesting that it is undertaking ‘the immediate task of addressing contestations within the Party, litigations, fallouts of recently conducted Congresses and generally reposition the Party ahead of the National Convention.’
“Once this is the case, it simply means the CECPC’s new objective is probably to take APC to its political grave. This should not be acceptable!” Lukman.
– The Nation
