All Progressives Congress (APC) in the northwest on Sunday, May 19, held its inaugural stakeholders meeting in Kaduna, condemning the recent suspensions of its members and declaring it unconstitutional, null and void.
The stakeholders noted that any suspension must follow due process and be ratified by the National Working Committee before such can be legal.
The Nation recall that the APC national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, and the chairman of APC Zamfara state, Alhaji Tukur Danfulani were recently suspended by ward executives of the party.
Speaking at the inaugural stakeholders meeting, the APC National Vice Chairman (Northwest), Hon Garba Datti Muhammad, declared that the suspensions were carried out by impostors and moles in the party and did not follow due process, saying they are unconstitutional, null and void.
Addressing the meeting which was attended by APC officials, ministers, governors, National Assembly members, state assembly members and former political office holders, who are APC members, Muhammad said the meeting was convened to deliberate on issues of common interest to the party in the Northwest zone.
“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!”
The governor of Kaduna and coordinating governor of APC in the Northwest, Uba Sani, in his address tasked the party to imbibe internal part democracy in order to sustain it’s progression.
“I urge us to always adopt the consensus approach to the resolution of pressing issues. It’s 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.
“Since President Bola Tinubu 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 win the war against terrorism, banditry, insurgency, kidnapping. He has been working closely with governors of the Northwest and other key stakeholders to address our security and developmental challenges.”
A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting signed by the coordinating Governor of the Northwest, Governor Sani said: “The meeting activated its internal dispute resolution mechanism to resolve pending issues, and chart the pathway to a more formidable zonal structure that will ensure victory for our dear party in future elections. The meeting commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his steadfast commitment to the fulfilment of his campaign promises to the Nigerian people.
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“The meeting noted the decisive steps so far taken by the President in tackling Nigeria’s multitude of security and developmental challenges, and the far-reaching reforms he has initiated to reflate the economy and combat soaring inflation. The meeting equally commended the various security agencies working tirelessly to maintain and enhance security in the zone.
“The meeting commended the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, deputy Senate President, Sen. Jibrin Barau, Senators and members of the House of Representatives for crafting and vigorously pursuing the passage of the North West Development Commission Bill. The meeting urged members of the National Assembly to give the bills expeditious consideration in the interest of national cohesion and even development.
“The meeting wishes to commend Mr. President for his commitment towards the speedy completion of key projects in the northwest zone, including the Abuja – Kaduna – Kano Highway, the Sokoto – Badagry Road Project, the Sokoto – Zamfara – Katsina – Kaduna Road Project, the Kano – Katsina dual carriageway, the Ajaokuta – Kaduna – Kano Gas Pipeline, the Lagos – Kaduna – Kano – Katsina – Maradi Rail Project. These projects have the potentials of boosting economic activities, mitigating poverty, enhancing security, and helping in forging understanding and friendship among the citizens of Nigeria.”
The meeting was attended by the national chairman of the APC, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi Ganduje, the speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abass, the governors of Kaduna state Uba Sani, Katsina state, Dikko Radda, Jigawa state, Umar Namadi, Kebbi state, Nasir Idris and Deputy Governor of Sokoto state.
Also in attendance are the ministers of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, Defence, Abubakar Badaru, State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, Environment Balarabe Lawal and special adviser to the President on policy and coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman.
Also in attendance are former governors of Katsina state, Aminu Bello Masari and Kaduna state, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, former speaker Kaduna state House of Assembly, Hon. Yusuf Zailani among other serving national and state assembly members.
