•Cautions against party implosion
•As Ganduje, Bashiru emerge new APC chairman, Secretary
By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
President Bola Ahmed Tínubu has said his policies are designed to benefit Nigerian masses rather than punish them as being misconstrued by opposition, even as he cautioned the new leadership of All Progressive Congress (APC) led by former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, to redirect the party away from implosion.
This is just as the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling party, yesterday elected Abdullahi Ganduje as the new National chairman of the party, while former Senate Spokesman in the 9th Senate, senator Ajibola Bashiru, emerged as the National Security of the APC.
Both Ganduje and Bashiru have replaced ex chairman and Secretary, Abdullahi Adamu and Iyiola Omisore, who both resigned their respective positions last month over deepening party crisis.
Addressing party faithful at the APC NEC meeting yesterday in Abuja, Tínubu said that Nigeria is going through some socio-economic challenges, but vowed to address them squarely to rebase the economy of the country in the shortest possible time.
According to him, “Nigeria is going through some issues and I have sufficiently addressed it in my broadcast and the acting National Chairman also spoke about it in his address.
“We will face it squarely to reengineer the economy of this country. We must find a way to satisfy the yearnings of the common man and we must ensure that all the policies we roll out work for the common man. Our policies are for the people not to punish the people.”
In a veiled reference to his foreign policy thrust, Tínubu said “To the International community, I sent a message to Europe and America yesterday. To our partners, I ask how can you handle a barking dog and mad dog and prevent a barking dog from eating from the plate of your enemy. We are hungry and the continent depends on Nigeria. We need help, but not at the expense of our joy, peace and happiness.”
While charging the new leadership of the APC led by Ganduje to navigate the party away from implosion, Tínubu said “The party is in your hand, let us redirect this party. Let us show the rest of the country that we are united for a purpose and if we via away from that path, posterity will not forgive us.
“So, ladies and gentlemen, let us take a few items on our plates, vote the Chairman and Secretary, while we devolve some powers to NWC to fill the others after consultation.”
Responding to President Tínubu’s charge after his emergence as new national chairman of APC, Ganduje said his main focus will be promoting party unity and defending and increasing the number of executive and legislative seats APC currently hold.
He said “under my watch, internal democracy will be strictly adhered to with a deliberate policy to engage in wider consultations and make the 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”.
At this point, he appealed to Nigerians to bear with the President at this trying moment, pointing out 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 said.
Earlier welcoming the party faithful to the NEC meeting, the acting National chairman of the party, Abubakar Kyari, admitted that like in any other human organisation of similar size, composition, dynamics and success, the APC has its own fair share of problems and challenges.
He said there are issues pertaining to the unity and cohesion of the party, issues concerning the need to strengthen the institutional and financial capacity of the party, even the issue of the soon to be conducted off season gubernatorial elections in a number of States, among others.
He said it is essential that the party address these challenges head-on and work together to steer the party and the country towards a brighter future.
At this juncture, he disclosed that the NEC meeting was convened to purposely address two major issues, including: 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, adding that 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 therefore urged all party members to remain steadfast as it 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”, he said.
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