In my widely published article in June 2020 titled, Tasks before APC caretaker committee, I illustrated some of the challenges before Governor Mai Mala Buni led committee which require firm and clear decisions that would be in the best interest of the party. Some of the issues included the need for sustained unity, peace and true reconciliation across party ranks.
As stabilising caretaker/extra-ordinary convention committee, Buni met all national leaders and other party stakeholders in order to accommodate all interests. This resulted in renewed commitment on the part of party members. Without mincing words, it is an understatement to say life has returned to the party considering bubbling nature of a once abandoned ruling party national secretariat.
There is no doubt the committee has rescued the party from an imminent collapse. The committee broke the jinx in revalidation of party membership registration exercise which made APC to have a comprehensive membership register.
Before the caretaker/convention planning committee was constituted, APC National Working Committee led by Adams Oshiomhole was bedeviled by leadership crisis; its dissolution saved the party from serious internal crisis. All the members of the party accepted the Buni panel. Members expressed hope that peace would be restored to the party after the protracted leadership crisis at that time.
I had emphasised that APC caretaker committee needed to chart a new course with renewed commitment and dedication for the party to be stronger with the emblem of internal democracy and mutual understanding among leaders and other stakeholders.
However, before the inauguration of the committee, the fortunes of the party drastically reduced by seven states – Oyo, Bauchi, Adamawa, Sokoto, Benue, Zamfara and Edo – in addition to a badly managed governorship election victory in Bayelsa state.
The committee’s efforts in charting a new course for the party started yielding positive result by wooing in the governors of Ebonyi and Cross River states; during Ondo state governorship election the committee reconciled all the governorship aspirants in the state for the successful re-election of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
It is commendable that committee has brought back many aggrieved party members and even reconciled many prominent party members from the South-south like Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva. Sen. Godswill Akpabio, Obong Nsima Ekere, Mr. Umana O. Umana, Sen. Ita Enang, Barr. Bassey Dan Abia (Snr) have resolved their differences in favour of party interest, particularly in the South-south geo-political zone.
Chairman Atiku Abubakar Presidential campaign organization, former Ogun state Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, and and Lt. Gen. Ihejirika have joined APC. Others are two former speakers of House of Representatives – Yakubu Dogara and Dimeji Bankole, Barnabas Gemade former PDP chairman, among others. All these success stories of APC caretaker/extra-ordinary convention committee are commendable.
In fact, the committee brought all contending interests under one roof and achieved true reconciliation across the 36 states and FCT. However, Nigerians expect Governor Buni and other members to remain team players at this critical stage of their assignment. Instilling party discipline and cohesion should be sacrosanct and imbibed by members both high and low. Do justice to all party members that have made great sacrifices.To get things done properly, it is important for the committee to conduct a credible and acceptable convention devoid of complaints of exclusion and possible litigation during and after the convention.
So far, so good, 11 months after the inauguration of Buni caretaker/extra-ordinary convention committee. At this critical stage there is need to conduct national convention of the party that will usher in National Working Committee of the party in line with party constitution.
Abba Dukawa,
Kano
