President Muhmmadu Buhari has extended the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee for another six months.
This is even as the National Executive Council approved the expulsion of former National Vice Chairman of the party in the South-south, Ntufam Hilliard Eta, for failure to withdraw the court case instituted against the caretaker committee.
The APC NEC also dissolved all states, zonals and National Party structures
President Buhari in his opening remarks said the caretaker extraordinary convention planning committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, led by Governor Mai Buni had succeeded in bringing new atmosphere of hope to the party.
He said he was delighted that through the efforts of the 13-member committee set up on June 25, 2020, many party members who had earlier defected from the APC had returned while others have also declared for the party.
He said what was needed now was for party chiefs to display discipline and sustain the tempo.
The President said, “I have received periodic briefings from the caretaker extraordinary convention planning committee, as well as other leaders of the party.
“I am convinced that in the last five months, since the appointment of the caretaker committee the initiatives taken have brought remarkably new atmosphere of hope in the party.
“Healthy debates are now taking place and the potential for organs of the party to affirm majority positions as the decision of the party is now possible.
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“What is required now is for all of us as leaders of the party to maintain discipline and ensure that this new momentum is protected, sustained and the decisions of party organs are respected by every member.
“Despite the challenge to restore peace in the party and the series of elections at hand, the fact that we have gained more members and that we are not losing members to the opposition under the present interim leadership indicates improvement of the party.
” In fact, we have begun to win back our members who left us and other notable political leaders are being attracted to our party.”
Buhari who acknowledged the defection of Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, to the party, said the development confirmed that “we are indeed making progress as a party of choice for Nigerians, as we move towards the resolution of our leadership challenges.”
He then appealed to party members at all levels to make sacrifices that will move the party forward.
Buni who presented to the NEC an abridged report and a few recommendations requiring approvals, said they have been able to reconcile warring factions.
The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai who briefed State House Correspondents alongside the Governors of Imo, Hope Uzodinma, Ondo, Rotimi Akeredolu said NEC condemns calls by the PDP for the resignation of the President.
(Editor: Nkoli Omhoudu)
