By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress, (APC) Youths and Solidarity Forum have called on the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, minister of transport, Rotmi Amaechi, and the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, to resign from office before the party primaries, following their intention to run for elective positions in the next general elections.
The youth group, led by their Convener, Tobias Ogbeh, at the APC Headquarters in Abuja yesterday, said the party is not the property of any individual, insisting that non resignation of such persons before the primaries could jeopardise the party’s presidential ticket.
Ogbeh said the youths cannot continue to feign ignorance to the attitudes of some vested interest in our party that have arrogated to themselves the powers to decide how to play the game in contravention of the rules of engagement as stipulated in the 2022 Electoral Act as amended.
He said, “The last time we checked, the APC is not a personal property of a select few. Many of us in various capacities indeed contributed to the development and growth of the party over the years. It is insulting to our sensibilities when some persons whose contributions to the party can be counted with their fingertips are pushing the party towards the brinks.
“It is no longer news that the general elections in 2023 are well underway. As such, it behoves that the party should be adequately prepared at this point. But we are worried that all is not well within the party with regards to the provisions in Section 84(12) of the elections, which states thus:
“No political appointees at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the Convention or Congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”
“As we all know, the Electoral Act has been passed into law, and one wonders why political appointees in government that have indicated an interest in contesting elective positions have refused to resign their appointments. They have held on like a birthright hinging their decisions on the ignoble role of the Honorable Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami” he said.
He said as concerned stakeholders in the APC, the youths are appalled that such illegality would thrive, yet it pride themselves as progressives. Why is there a regime of selective judgment in the implementation of the provisions of the Electoral Act?
“What are the likes of the Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emiefele, the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Ameachi, and Chris Ngige still doing in government? Are we saying these individuals are above the law or are exempted from the provisions of the Electoral Act? he asked
Ogbeh said the APC Youth Development and Solidarity Forum are pained that the APC is heading for the brinks, all thanks to the Kangaroo judgment secured by the AGF through a Federal High Court, which by all intent and purposes is meant to mislead Mr President and further plunge the party into a crisis of unimaginable proportion unless we want to feign ignorance to the fact that any arm of government could not usurp the powers of the National Assembly.
“It is unfortunate that the AGF, Abubakar Malami is hell-bent on misleading the party with its attendant consequences. The AGF must be reminded that as the custodian of the law, he must rise above sentiments in the interpretation of the law, at the risk of the country becoming a laughing stock nationally and internationally.
“We are using this medium to reiterate that Section 84(12) of the electoral Act is clear and unambiguous. Mr President should stop protecting a few influential individuals within the party to the detriment of the entire country.
