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…Faults party’s membership register, promises to embark on scientific registration
…NWC members frown at selection of same faith for Chairman, Secretary
From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja
Newly appointed National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has promised to lead the ruling party with integrity, transparency and deep sense of responsibility.
In his acceptance speech during the APC 12th National Executive Committee (NEC) held in Abuja on Thursday, the former governor of Kano state also faulted the party’s 40 million membership register.
He lamented that despite the acclaimed bogus figure it could not translate into corresponding tangible result during the 2023 presidential election where the party got only eight million votes.
He promised to conduct a more credible scientifically-proven membership register from the wards to the state levels. He warned that going forward, he will uphold internal democracy, and provide a level playing ground for aspirants to elective positions during party primaries.
“We will deploy technology in the registration of our members. The idea where the current figure of the membership of the party is over 40 million but could not reflect on the result of the last election, where we got only eight million votes, means that it can no longer be business as usual.
“We are going to carry out a scientific registration of members of our great party. We are going to embark on registration from wards to Local Government and the State.
“Let me assure you that as National Chairman, I will lead with integrity, transparency and a deep sense of responsibility. We are going to work tirelessly for a cohesive APC and a united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria. It will be challenging but with dedication, I have confidence that we can achieve a prosperous APC. Thank you for trusting in our party,” he noted.
Speaking from his prepared speech, the former Kano governor said: “Our main focus will be promoting party unity and defending and increasing the number of executive and legislative seats we currently hold.
“Under my watch, internal democracy will be strictly adhered to with a deliberate policy to engage in wider consultations and making party functional throughout the year. More reforms will be carried out in the party in alignment with the current political landscape
“We all agreed that we must unite our members to achieve support for our government to respond adequately, urgently and assertively” to the challenges that Nigerians confront on a daily basis. The challenges include unemployment, poverty, insecurity, social cohesion and the rising cost of living.
“I want to make a special appeal to Nigerians to bear with the President at this trying moment, considering that the country’s economy had been in shambles for years. I belief the policies and programmes to be unveiled by Mr. President when his administration fully takes shape, will surely turn around things for the better,” he appealed.
Ganduje also noted that; “our party must remain rooted among the people, must demonstrate a willingness to serve and make sacrifices, and must be willing to acknowledge and address our weaknesses. It’s a huge privilege and an honour and a great responsibility to take on this job and I will do it with everything I have to the best of my ability for my party and my country.
“We will ensure a level playing field for all party members that want to contest elections under the party’s platform. Our primary elections would be free, transparent and fair,” he promised.
On the off-season governorship election in Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo states, he said: “Let me also use this opportunity to call on members of our party and all the people of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states to close ranks and ensure that the APC wins in the forthcoming governorship elections. Finally, while accepting this responsibility, I count on your support to help me deliver it the best way I can.”
Earlier before the NEC meeting, there was apprehension over the possibility of his recommendation and that of the National Secretary scaling through due to their religious faith as Muslims.
The recommendation by the National Caucus did not correct the religious imbalance in the APC government, did not go down well with many members of the NWC present at the meeting on Wednesday.
Speaking in confidence, a source close to the NWC told Daily Sun that; “It is surprising that they could approve Muslim-Muslim for both National Chairman and National Secretary of the party. The implication is that the ruling party is now parading Muslim President, Vice President, Deputy Senate President, Speaker, party’s National Chairman and National Secretary.
“I don’t think anything can change during NEC meeting but we have to put it on record that the actions of the leaders of the party is insensitive and condemnable. Despite the complaints that trailed the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket, the pressure to sacrifice Abdullahi Adamu over religious imbalance, they still went ahead to impose Muslims Chairman and Secretary on members of the party. It is very unfair,” the aggrieved source noted.
Our correspondent also observed that the decision contributed to the delay in the commencement of NEC meeting as Christian members of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) staged mild protest to change the decision.
