The proposed adoption of consensus candidates in leadership positions of the ruling party seem not not be going down well with some of its members in Lagos state, a group under the umbrella of APC Democrats, have rejected consensus, the decision of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) in choosing the leadership of the party in the state.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the State Chairman of the group, Fuad Oki, the party members questioned why the GAC would decide the modality for the conduct of congress, adding that it was a body unknown to the constitution of the party.
APC Democrats accused the party chairman, Alhaji Tunde Balogun of conniving with some individuals to hijack the collection of Nomination Forms from the people sent to the state to carry out the exercise of collection and submission of forms to contest for positions in the ward congress.
The members stated that any attempt to endorse consensus arrangement for the congress vide the directive of the GAC would be exercise in futility as the National Secretariat of the party had replied to their letter on the issues of consensus.
”The so called Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) is an illegal body not known to the Constitution of our Party. Hence, it cannot decide, direct or make any pronouncement on the mode of conducting of Ward Congress or any policy or Constitutional issue regarding the APC.
” It is sad that the Caretaker Committee Chairman Alhaji Tunde Balogun in cahoots with some individuals have hijack the collection of Nomination Forms from the people sent to Lagos to carry out the exercise of collection and submission of forms to contest for positions in the ward congress. The team has been in Lagos since Friday 23rdJuly 2021, this is in breach of the mandate issued by the National Caretaker Committee of the party.
” Indeed, it is laughable that Alhaji Tunde Balogun is pressuring the Nomination Form collection and submission team from Abuja to hand-over to him all the forms sent to Lagos in order to deny others from accessing the forms. However, unknown to him, the National Secretariat of the Party has been gracious to accept from our members the payment tellers (proof of payment) and has appropriately given forms to all our members who have purchased forms at the Bank.
“It is pertinent to let members know that the ward congress slated for 31st July, 2021, will definitely hold in Lagos State in strict compliance with the Congress Guideline that has been made available to Party members nationwide. The guideline would be strictly enforced in the state to ensure fair participation by all members who can vote and be voted for.
” APC Democrats are well prepared for the Congress, as you know, we have been on this battle for emancipation of our Party in Lagos State since the last three years. We urge our Party members in the state to come out and participate fully.
” We appeal to all members of the party to eschew bitterness and ensure peaceful conduct of the congress, that there was no going back on the congress. We are unperturbed in our determination to go ahead with the Congress”, said the APC Democrats
