A group in the All Progressive Congress (APC), known as Concerned APC Members, which earlier gave the Mai Buni-led Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee of the party a 14-day ultimatum to release schedule of activities for the National Convention, has reiterated its decision to hold street protests if its demands are not met by the expiration of the ultimatum.
The spokesperson of the group, Abdullahi Dauda, disclosed this on Saturday, adding that the series of endorsement by the non-National Working Committee members of the National Executive Committee and some state party chairmen only strengthened the position of the group to push more.
He said, “Let them answer this simple question: Was Mai Mala-Buni elected as the national chairman of our party or as the governor of Yobe State?
“As party members, the constitution of our party gives us the right to choose our leaders. In this case, out of respect for President Muhammadu Buhari, we overlooked the extra-constitutional decision to dissolve the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee. The Buni committee was set up to reconcile members and organize a convention within six months. There is no sign they want to do this; they are now talking about membership registration.
“Let me tell you something: the endorsement by the non-NWC members and some state chairmen is not the answer to our question. There is no need for discussing our next step in the papers. Our demands are simple; let the committee do what it was asked to do and allow the new NWC to carry out the remaining reforms.”
Responding to the group agitation, the APC’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, said the invitation of members of the group to approach the party’s hierarchy to present their grievances was still open.
He called on the group to take advantage of the open-door policy of the Buni-led committee to rebuild the party.
