APC distances self from party chair’s attack on Tinubu over PCC membership

• As Lawan concedes defeat after court verdict on senatorial ambition

The crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has continued to fester as the party disowned a letter purportedly emanating from National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, which kicked against composition of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC).

In an apparent face-saving measure, National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, claimed outright that the letter did not emanate from the party.

The party maintained that it stands united in resolve and commitment to execute a focused and issue-driven campaign, as it persuades Nigerians to renew its mandate in the 2023 polls.

It said: “Our attention has been drawn to a “draft” letter in circulation purportedly written by Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the national chairman of our great party, addressed to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of our party, expressing dissatisfaction over the recently released list of the PCC.

“To be clear, the “draft” letter did not emanate from the party. An unsigned letter that marks itself as a ‘draft’ cannot and should not be attributed to its purported author.

“The national chairman of our party and our presidential candidate maintain cordial and effective communication channels, and enjoy full liberty of open and frank conversations on matters of interest to the party and our presidential campaign.

“As such, an unsigned “draft” letter of the kind in circulation is patently unnecessary and of no qualitative value to engagement between the party and the PCC.

“We will not be distracted by the wishes and actions of detractors that wait gleefully, but in vain, for some kind of crisis to erupt between the party and the PCC.”

MEANWHILE, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has said he would not appeal the judgment delivered on Wednesday by the Federal High Court, Damaturu, Yobe State.

In a personally signed statement, yesterday, Lawan said he has accepted the ruling, which disqualified his candidature in the Yobe North senatorial district elections.

The statement titled, ‘Court Judgment on Yobe North Senatorial District Candidacy,’ reads: “Yesterday, Wednesday, September 28, 2022, the Federal High Court in Damaturu delivered judgment on the rightful candidate for Yobe North senatorial district for the 2023 National Assembly elections.

“The said judgment disqualifies my candidature and, therefore, my participation in the elections.

“After due consultations with my political associates, supporters and well-wishers, I have decided not to appeal the judgment. I accept the judgment.

“At this juncture, I deem it appropriate to thank Senator Ibrahim Gaidam for the leadership role in the APC political family in Yobe State. I also thank Governor Mai Mala Buni for the support and brotherhood.

“To my constituents, I thank you all for your unflinching support, loyalty and unreserved commitment to the cause of building our people and Yobe North senatorial district and indeed Yobe State.”