APC Convention: Chairmanship aspirants proffer solutions to crises rocking party

Ahead of the national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), some chairmanship aspirants of the party have proffered solution to the crisis rocking the party across the country.

The aspirants comprising Messrs Saliu Mustapha, Sani Musa, Abdul’aziz Yari, Tanko Al-Makura and Sunny Sylvester Moniedafe, who spoke during the second annual public lecture summit organised by the APC press corps, stressed the need for unity and cohesion among party faithful ahead of the 2023 poll.

Mustapha, who is the Turakin Ilorin, promised to introduce a new lease of life to party administration, which revolves around the adoption of preventive diplomacy in crisis management. 

He noted: “We will manage political crisis by preventing them. We will prevent crisis by constantly looking out for conventional and non-conventional triggers otherwise known as early warning signals across all strata of the party, and nip them in the bud promptly and firmly before they degenerate. 

“In the event that conflicts still rear their heads in spite of all, we will be prepared with a bottoms-up dispute resolution mechanism that is independent, dependable, fair and inclusive. But we promise to build on what the CECPC is doing by managing all stakeholder interest as best as we could. We know that it is interest that drives politics and politicking. We recognize the essentiality of both individual and group interest in politics. 

“We equally recognize that a proper management of political interest of leaders, stakeholders and members of the party is fundamental to a successful party administration. So, we shall ensure a delicate balance in managing the varying competing but legitimate interest in the party through dialogue, consensus building, engagement and communication.”

Yari, who recalled the role he played that led to the formation of the APC in 2013, expressed optimism that the APC would sustain its winning streak after the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari in May 29, 2023.

The former governor of Zamfara state admonished party chieftains to guard against the “do or die mentality” as they jostle for elective positions ahead of the 2023 poll. 

Decrying the plethora of litigations filed by aggrieved party faithful in the aftermath of the state congresses, he promised to entrench a reward system for members.

Yari noted that the domineering influence of governors is at the centre of the crisis rocking the party. He promised to create an enabling environment where members would not only contribute to the funding of the party but be treated as equals.

Ahead of the February convention date, Yari disclosed that, “if given the opportunity, all internal crises must be resolved before the polls.”

Musa, who is representing Niger East Senatorial district, stressed the need to reorganise the party structure that would usher in an era where the constitution of the party would be strictly adhered to as a way of averting the recurring crisis plaguing the party.

Promising to sustain the legacies of President Muhammadu Buhari, he assured that he would run an all-inclusive administration if elected chairman of the party.

On his part, Al-Makura promised to offer selfless services if elected chairman. “The challenge is the sacrifices people have been able to make over time. I think there couldn’t be a better way to get this party properly positioned more than someone that has been with the party right from the beginning and has gone across the board to know what needs to be done and what not.”

Al-Makura pledged to ensure justice, fairness, internal party democracy and reward system if allowed to lead the party. “My objective is to be chairman not for myself, but to be able to sustain the gains so far recorded. Having being opportuned to be part of those who participated in the merger of the legacy parties, I am here to partake in value addition to the party,” he noted.

Moniedafe assured that under his watch, the National Working Committee (NWC) would hold annual party conferences, at both national and state levels.