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The National Executive Council (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has resolved to set up an External Auditor to probe the financial records of the out-gone National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu-led tenure.
Indication to this position emerged Thursday during the 12th NEC meeting of the party held at the Transcorps Hilton, Abuja.
There were allegations of financial mismanagement against the former leadership, leading to calls for their resignation.
In his welcome address during the meeting, the acting national chairman and a ministerial nominee, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the all-important meeting was convened to specifically address two issues, namely: “The appointment of External Auditors of the Party and, the filling of the existing vacancies in the offices of the National Chairman and National Secretary. These offices play a pivotal role in strategic direction for the Party.
“It is pertinent to note that as enshrined in the Constitution of our party, under Article 13.3 (ii), the NEC has the powers to ‘Discharge all functions of the National Convention’ in between National Conventions.”
Senator Kyari called on all party members to remain steadfast “as we strive to uphold the principles of democracy, inclusivity, and good governance.
“Let us foster an environment that encourages healthy debates, respect for the rule of law, and protects the rights and freedoms of all Nigerians. We must be the standard-bearers of integrity and accountability, demonstrating to our citizens that we are here to serve their best interests.”
At the end of the meeting, the party’s NEC elected former Kano state Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as its national chairman while Senator Basiru Ajibola emerged the new national secretary.
The duo replaced Senator Abdullahi Adamu and Senator Iyiola Omisore, who both resigned as national chairman and national secretary respectively.
Tinubu speaks
Addressing party leaders at the meeting, President Tinubu urged the APC leadership, particularly elected officials, to be steadfastly committed to good governance which will re-engineer the economic and political landscape of the nation to address the needs of the poor.
President Tinubu also pledged that his administration would continue to ensure that all government programmes benefit and uplift the masses of the country rather than bringing more pain.
Tinubu who addressed the NEC meeting for the first time since his election victory February, emphasised that winning the election is just the beginning of a longer progressive journey while noting that responsive and accountable governance is a separate challenge that requires continuous effort.
“We are in the process of establishing fully a government of the people, for the people, and by the people. It is in my time that the subsidy has been removed, and it is now upon us to satisfy the yearnings of the poor in a larger, restructured economy,” the president said.
He urged party members to promote unity, stability, and camaraderie forged in common purpose among themselves, reiterating that nurturing the party should start from the grassroots level.
The president also called on party faithful to train its sights squarely on development and prosperity for the country, adding that his administration was poised to build international trade partnerships across sectors that would benefit not just the national coffers, but the wallets and accounts of the Nigerian people.
On 2023 poll
On the general acceptance of the outcome of the presidential election, the President defended the legitimacy of the election and echoed his earlier stated position that those who do not accept the outcome of a free and fair election do not deserve the joy of victory.
“We have worked hard, and we have received the trophy. Winning an election is the first part of the process. What is next is good governance and quality service delivery. We must promote unity, peace, and love among all organs of the party.
“You are the makers and drivers of the party. When we have all passengers inside the bus, the driver must not fall asleep. The brake must also work well. Party loyalty must exist.
“As I always say, those who cannot accept the result of a free and fair election do not deserve the joy of victory,” he said.
On the NEC meeting
On the main agenda of the NEC meeting which appointed new External Auditors to audit party accounts and filled the vacant offices of National Chairman and National Secretary, the President urged the NEC of the party to devolve some of its powers to the National Working Committee (NWC) to fill other vacancies in the party.
This request was sequel to a motion moved by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and seconded by Imo state Governor Hope Uzodinma, who doubles as the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF).
The president had noted that during its meeting of April 20, 2022, the NEC of the party had ceded some of its powers to NWC for the smooth party operations and he thanked them for effectively utilizing that mandate.
Ganduje’s acceptance speech
In his acceptance speech, the new party chair vowed to ensure reform, promote the party’s unity and increase the number of executive and legislative seats.
Ganduje stated that internal democracy would be strictly adhered to under his leadership, adding that reforms would be carried out in the APC in alignment with the current political landscape.
The former governor vowed to ensure a level playing field for all APC members that want to contest elections on the party’s platform, adding that the party’s primary elections would be free, transparent, and fair.
Ganduje said: “With boundless gratitude for the confidence placed in me by leaders and members of our party, and with an unswerving resolve to honour that trust, I humbly accept my appointment as the Chairman of our party, the APC.
“I am deeply touched and inspired by the generous words of congratulations and encouragement I have been receiving and wish to extend my deepest respect and appreciation to all the leaders and member for their strong support.
“Our main focus will be promoting party unity and defending and increasing the number of executive and legislative seats we currently hold.
“Under my watch, internal democracy will be strictly adhered to with a deliberate policy to engage in wider consultations and making party functional throughout the year.
“More reforms will be carried out in the party in alignment with the current political landscape.
“We all agreed that we must unite our members to achieve support for our government to respond adequately, urgently and assertively” to the challenges that Nigerians confront on a daily basis.
“The challenges include unemployment, poverty, insecurity, social cohesion and the rising cost of living.
“I want to make a special appeal to Nigerians to bear with the President at this trying moment, considering that the country’s economy had been in shambles for years.
“I belief the policies and programmes to be unveiled by Mr. President when his administration fully takes shape, will surely turn around things for the better.
“Our party must remain rooted among the people, must demonstrate a willingness to serve and make sacrifices, and must be willing to acknowledge and address our weaknesses.
“It’s a huge privilege and an honour and a great responsibility to take on this job and I will do it with everything I have to the best of my ability for my party and my country.
“We will ensure a level playing field for all party members that want to contest elections under the party’s platform. Our primary elections would be free, transparent, and fair.
“Let me also use this opportunity to call on members of our party and all the people of Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states to close ranks and ensure that the APC wins in the forthcoming governorship elections.”
Ganduje, therefore, thanked President Bola Tinubu for his continued support and commitment to the ideals of the ruling party just as he expressed his appreciation to Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Senate President Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House Representatives Tajuddeen Abbas, and other leaders of the party.
Kyari
Earlier in his address of welcome, the APC Acting National Chairman, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the ruling party was conscious of the new challenges facing it as the majority party at the sub-national level and in the National Assembly.
Paying tribute to the founding members of the party, Kyari said the party had achieved significant milestones that have made a positive impact on Nigerians since its establishment ten years ago.
He congratulated the President, the Vice President and all elected party members on their election victory, describing the recent election of the Nigerian leader to the ECOWAS Chairmanship as a foreign policy triumph for Nigeria.
‘‘The nation is happy with you for your bold and courageous decisions,’’ he told the President, adding that the policies the administration has pursued in the last two months have laid a solid foundation for the growth and development of Nigeria.
He promised that the party would continue to stand with President Tinubu, “no matter the complexities of the challenges ahead.”
El-Marzuk resigns
Meanwhile, the APC National Legal Adviser, Ahmed El-Marzuk, has resigned from the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Blueprint gathered that the national officer resigned Wednesday evening, following insistence by some of his colleagues that he could no longer be in office due to some allegations against him.
Confirming the development, El-Marzuk’s Special Adviser, Abdullahi Adamu, said his boss resigned “to allow reconfiguration of the party’s leadership.” (Blueprint)
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