APC NEC Extends Buni-led Caretaker C’ttee’s Tenure, Expels Etta, Dissolves Party Organs
By Taiye Lawal
The National Executive Committee, NEC, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Tuesday, approved the extension of the tenure of the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker/ Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, for another six months.
This is as the APC NEC, also approved expulsion of the party’s former National Vice Chairman, South-south, Ntufam Hilliard Eta, for his alleged failure to withdraw the court case instituted against the caretaker committee.
The APC Emergency NEC also approved the dissolution of party’s organs from the smallest organ at the ward to national offices
These were contained in the five resolutions unanimously reached at the NEC meeting of the ruling party that held at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
At the end of the meeting, Governors Nasir el-Rufai, Rotimi Akeredolu, Hope Uzodinma of Kaduna, Ondo and Imo States respectively as well as the Secretary of APC the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe briefed State House correspondents.
The virtual Emergency NEC was physically attended by President Muhmmadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
It also approved waivers for new and intending members of the party, which would make it possible and easy for such new members to aspire to contest positions within the party.
The APC NEC condemned the call by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the impeachment of President Buhari. Briefing State House correspondents, Governor el-Rufai said, “Number one, the National Executive Committee of the party approved the extension of the tenure of the CECPC, led by His Excellency, governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, which expires on December 26, 2020, for another six months period, to terminate on 30th of June, 2021.
“This is to enable the Caretaker Executive and Convention Planning Committee to conclude its assignment, as laid before NEC.
“NEC has also donated its powers, as enshrined in Articles 13.3, subsection 5 and 13.3, subsection 6 of the APC Constitution to the Caretaker and Convention Committee.
“The second resolution says that NEC has approved the granting of waivers to persons who have recently joined our party and those desirous of joining the party in the nearest future.
“By this, such new members will enjoy all the benefits and privileges accruable by virtue of their membership of the party, so they’ll be able to contest for positions in the party, they’ll be able to contest elections without any requirement for being members for a number of years or period of time.
“The third resolution is that the NEC approved the expulsion of Ntufam Hilliard Etta from the party for flouting the directive of NEC to discontinue all litigations against the party and its members.
“Number four, NEC approved the immediate dissolution of the party organs at the polling unit, ward, local government, state and zonal level, as well as the non-National Working Committee component of the National Executive Committee, as well as their immediate reconstitution and composition of the dissolved excos to serve in their respective offices in a caretaker committee capacity. This exclude the non-NWC members of NEC.
“Finally, the National Executive Committee of the party condemns, in very strong terms, the call by the PDP leadership and some of their cheerleaders, for the resignation of Mr President.
“NEC observed that security challenges, though regrettable, can only be addressed when all interests; civil and military, government and oppositions, security forces and indeed, every citizen collaborate, irrespective of party affiliations. This is not the time to politicise security”, the party said.
Throwing more light on the dissolution of party organs, the Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu said: “The NEC at its meeting approved the dissolution of party organs at the polling units, wards, local government, states and zonal levels as well as the non-NWC members. “As clearly stated, also the composition of the dissolved EXCOs to serve in their respective offices in a caretaker committee capacity until we complete party registration and conduct congresses.”
