APC convention crisis claims first casualty, as DG Governors Forum, Lukeman quits

By Ikechukwu Okaforadi

The crisis rocking the All Progressive Congress (APC) over its National Convention yesterday claimed the first casualty, following the resignation of the Director General of the APC Governors Forum (PGF), Salihu Moh Lukeman, without a clear reason.

Recall that APC Governors, after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, had scheduled its National Convention for February this year, but the date has ignited more controversies, as the date remained shaky over some internal party technicalities, including outstanding State congresses and pending court cases.

To this end, the APC Governors, on Sunday night met in Abuja, at the Kebbi State Government Lodge in Abuja, where they deliberated on if to proceed with the National Convention or shift the date to clear these technicalities.

Through after the closed door meeting which lasted for about three hours, the Governors resolved to proceed with the convention, on a date to be announced by the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) led by Mai Mala Buni, who is the Governor of Yobe State.

However, less than twelve hours after the APC Governors meeting, the DG PGF announced his resignation from the office, though the reasons for his decision had remained sketchy at the time of filing this report.

Sources said following the division among the Governors of APC and the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) over whether the national convention should hold or not, the PGF DG resolved to resign from the office.

Sources confided in Peoples Daily that during the Sunday night meeting, whether the DG should be forced to resign or not featured in their deliberation, though the governors were sharply divided over what choice is best for the party’s interest.

A competent source told our correspondent that while the majority of the governors opposed the pressure to force Lukman’s resignation, others insisted that he should be eased out.

While the PGF boss has not made any public statement over the resignation and the reasons behind it as at the time of filing this report, our correspondent reports that Lukman has been critical of the Buni led CECPC, even as he called for the Caretaker Committee to be forced by the party to disclose the convention date and details.

Before the last Sunday night meeting, Lukeman had also cautioned the Buni led CECPC against towing the path of ousted Chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole, even as he accused the CECPC leaders of disrespecting President Buhari.