The All Progressives Congress party in North-West on Sunday, lamented the gale of suspensions being arbitrarily slammed on “prominent” members of the party in the zone. The party decried any form of suspension on prominent members including that of the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje and other members of the party from the ward levels.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Although no names of any suspended members of the party including that of the National Chairman, were mentioned by the National Vice Chairman of party in the North-West zone, Alhaji Garba Datti Muhammad while addressing APC stakeholders meeting for North-west in Kaduna on Sunday.
However, Muhammad while addressing party faithful, insisted that under the party’s amended constitution, no organ of the Party at any level had the power to suspend members of the party from the Party without recourse to the National Working Committee.
The Chairman declared that any suspension without the final say of the NWC of the party was null and void and of no effect.
He said, “a fundamental issue that must be addressed is the spate of suspensions that has become a trend whereby the Party, particularly at Ward level, purportedly suspends prominent party members. The latest example is Zamfara State.
“We are aware that the problems in Kano and Zamfara states, are being instigated by individuals impersonating as members of our Party but who are actually moles working for the opposition parties.
“Let me make it clear that, under our amended Constitution, no organ of the Party at any level has the power to suspend members of the Party from the Party until due process has been complied with at all levels after which the National Working Committee (NWC) has the final say.
“In other words, no member of our Party can be suspended without recourse to the NWC. To state it in clear terms, such suspensions are unconstitutional, null and void and the status quo ante remains!”
This was as the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, noted while addressing the gathering that party’s stakeholders must at all times, take a critical look at the health of the APC in the North-West zone with a view of o addressing challenges and repositioning it for future electoral battle.
According to the governor, the APC North-West zone occupies a strategic place in the party which had over the years determined the success of the party as such the leaders must put its house together to attain greater heights.
He urged stakeholders to bury their personal interests in order to reposition the party, noting that no individual or organisation had any challenges but the willingness to recognize and tackle them(challenges).
Sani, also emphasised on the need to promote internal democracy within the ambit of the constitution of the party, arguing that this way, “friction will be lessened and litigation would be reduced.”
The governor also hailed President Bola Tinubu, saying that since his assumption of office in May 29, 2023, he has moved decisively to tackle Nigeria’s multitude of security and developmental challenges.
According to him, the president’s development agenda, especially in the areas of Human Capital Development, Agriculture, Education, Poverty Alleviation, and Infrastructural Development, positively impacted the zone.
He said, “APC North – West Zone occupies a strategic place in our party. The zone has been playing a critical role in determining the electoral fortunes of our party.
“The zone boasts of some of the most articulate and resourceful political strategists in Nigeria.
“What happens in our zone is of primary interest to other Zones and Nigeria. It is for these reasons that we must at all times take a critical look at the health of APC in the North West Zone, with a view to addressing challenges and repositioning it for future electoral battles.
“There is no human organisation or institution that does not face challenges. What matters is our willingness to recognize our challenges and take measures to address them.
“If we are all committed to the goals and objectives of our party, we would be prepared to subjugate our personal interests to the interest of the collective.
“I urge us to always adopt the consensus approach to the resolution of pressing issues. It is a win -win approach that helps in building and sustaining peace and unity.
“We must however pay serious attention to internal party democracy. When we operate according to the Constitution and Guidelines of our party, friction will be lessened and litigation would be reduced.”
Katsina State Governor and Chairman of the North-West Governor’s Forum, Dikko Umaru Radda, commended National Assembly lawmakers from the zone for their input towards the creation of the North-West Development Commission while also praising the efforts of President Tinubu in channelling infrastructure development to the zone.
The meeting had in attendance, the National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudden, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba ex-Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, Sokoto State Governor, Ahmad Sokoto, Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin.
Others are Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Lawal Abbas, Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hajiya Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arch. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud and Special Adviser on Policy Coordination to President, Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, among others.