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…Say suspension of party members without due process remains null and void
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Stakeholders of the All Progressive Congress (APC), North West zone rose from a meeting on Sunday in Kaduna, and vowed to address challenges facing the party with a view to reposition it ahead of 2027 general elections in the country.
The APC stakeholders also expressed worry that moles have inflicted the party in the zone who were in the habit of issuing suspension letters to members without due recourse to due process, saying that such suspension remains null and void, and of no effect.
The Coordinating governor of APC, North West, Senator Uba Sani, who is the governor of Kaduna State noted in his key note address, saying, “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 organization 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 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.
“I want to pay special tribute to our dear President and National Leader of our great party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Since he assumed office, he has been moving decisively to tackle Nigeria’s multitude of security and developmental challenges. He has initiated far-reaching reforms to reflate the Nigerian economy and combat soaring inflation. President Tinubu has demonstrated courage and commitment to winning the war against terrorism, banditry, insurgency, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality. He has been working closely with Governors of the North West and other key stakeholders to address our security and developmental challenges.
“Mr. President’s Development Agenda has positively impacted the North West Zone, especially in the areas of Human Capital Development, Agriculture, Education, Poverty Alleviation, and Infrastructural Development. We owe Mr. President a debt of gratitude for prioritizing our zone, and indeed other zones in the country. We shall however continue to run to Mr. President for support and assistance because of the enormity of the developmental challenges facing the North West.
“I urge APC stakeholders in the North West to continue to support and cooperate with our dear President. He means well for our dear country. The current pains being felt are only temporary. The reforms are beginning to bear positive fruits. The future looks bright”.
Earlier, in his opening address, the National Vice Chairman of APC Northwest, Garba Datti Muhammad 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.
“Athough we recognise the massive contributions that we, as a Zone, have made to the growth and advancement of our great Party and its electoral victories, we are also conscious that we must review our electoral victories from 2015 to address issues that affect the Zone both at governmental and political levels so that as a party we continue to renew, be dynamic, vibrant, vigorous and continue to grow from strength to strength. I, therefore, invite us to offer creative and innovative ideas at this singularly unique meeting on how our Party must prepare for the challenges that lie ahead of us”.
The meeting which was held at the Musa Yar’ Adua Indoor Sports Hall of Murtala Square was attended by the National chairman of APC, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Speaker, House of representatives, Abbas Tajudden, Senator Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, Katsina State governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, Jigawa State governor, Umar Namadi, Sokoto state governor, Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, Kebbi State governor, Nasir Idris, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbass, Special Adviser on policy Coordination to the President, Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, amongst others.
END.
