By Abba Dukawa
In my widely published article by many print and online medium titled:Tasks before APC caretaker committee in June 2020 I had illustrated some of the challenges before Governor Buni’s led committee which requires firmed and cleared decisions that would be in the best interest of the party. Some of the issues raised was for the caretaker committee to sustain lasting unity, peace and true reconciliation across party ranks.
At that time I had emphasized on the need for APC caretaker Committee as a matter of urgency to chart a new course with renewed commitment and dedication among the party members that would make the party to be more strong with the emblem of internal democracy and mutual understanding among leaders and other stakeholders.
Before APC Caretaker/ Convention Planning Committee constituted, former National Working Committee of the party led by Adams Oshiomhole crippled with serious leadership crisis. As result of this internal party crisis the fortunes of the party drastically reduced by seven states Oyo, Bauchi, Adamawa, Sokoto, Benue, Zamfara and Edo. in addition to a badly managed governorship election victory Bayelsa state.
Dissolving former APC NWC rally saved the party from serious internal crisis as members had expressed hope that peace would be restored to the party after the protracted leadership crisis both at the national and various State chapters of the party.
Eleven months after the Inauguration of Caretaker Convention Committee led by Yobe state Governo Buni , there is no doubt the Committee has retrieved the party from an imminent collapse at same time breaking the jinx in revalidation of party membership registration exercise which made the ruling party to have a comprehensive membership register.
Without much wasted times, Governor Mai Mala Buni as stabilizing Caretaker Committee met all national leaders and other party stakeholders in order to accommodate all interests in renewal commitment toward strengthening the ruling party to remain the largest political party in Africa. This act of commitments demonstrated by the caretakers members has resulted in renewed commitment on the part of party members. Without mincing words, it is an understatement to say life has returned to the party considering bubbling nature of a once abandoned ruling party national secretariat.
The caretaker committee’s abulity to chart a new course for the party has started yielding positive result because the committee was able to wooing Governors of Ebonyi State and that of Cross River state.
During Ondo state governorship election APC caretaker/extra-ordinary Convention Committee reconciled all the governorship aspirants in the state. All the aspirants were brought together, and campaigned for the successful re-election of Governor Rotimi.
It is commendable that Caretaker Committee has brought back many aggrieved party members and also reconciled prominent party members from the South South like Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, Obong Nsima Ekere, Mr. Umana O. Umana, Sen. Ita Enang, Barr. Bassey Dan Abia (Snr) both have resolved their differences in favour of party interest in the collective pursuit of party interests particularly in the South-South geo-political zone.
Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee also received many bigwigs of opposition PDP members that joined APC or back to the party among them are the chairman Atiku Abubakar Presidential campaign organisation former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and and Lt. Gen. Ihejirika joined APC. Others joined the APC, two former speakers of House of Representatives – Yakubu Dogara and Dimeji Bankole. Barnabas Gemade former PDP chairman among others.
Infact Governor Mai Mala Buni has brought together all contending interests under one roof and achieved true reconciliation across 36 states and FCT.
All these success stories of APC caretaker/extra-ordinary Convention Committee efforts are commendable.
The most aspect of the works was thst it was able to Instil Party discipline, and party cohesion which has become a sacrosanct and imbibed by members both high and low. Before then, there was no Party discipline the mighty members could do and undo.
In spite of these achievements however, Nigerians expect Governor Buni and other members to remain team players at its critical stage of they assignment not to allow certain individual to highjack the party during and after the convention.
Like you all know the real job of getting things done properly is what is important for the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee to conduct a credible and acceptable Convention devoid of any complaints of exclusion and possible litigation during and after the convention.
So far, so good, Eleven months after, the Inauguration of Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Committee alot has been achieved . Despite that, there is still need to organize National Convention of the party that will usher in elections of National Working Committee of the party in line with party constitution provisions.
Dukawa a public Commentator wrote in from Kano and can be reach at
[email protected]
