By Jude Opara, Abuja
The National Deputy Women’s Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim has absolved the ruling party of any involvement in the crisis rocking some of the Main opposition political parties.
Ibrahim who was recently elected as the National Deputy Chairman of the Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) spoke on Monday while addressing newsmen at the National Secretariait of the APC.
She said the crisis in the opposition parties is entirely their internal affairs which has nothing to do with the APC, a party she described as well organized and focused on its operations.
“I do not think that APC is responsible for the internal problems of any political party. That is their internal affair.
APC is a formidable national party with representation across all zones. That attraction draws people in. You cannot stop a moving train. Other parties’ challenges are their responsibility”
She also backed the party in its adoption of the consensus option in the recent primary elections it conducted in some states. According to her, the APC adheres to internal democracy.
“The first form of election recognized by the Constitution is consensus. Where candidates agree to adopt a consensus candidate, the party must respect it.
APC adheres to internal democracy. In every contest, there will always be people unhappy with the outcome. Some people cannot manage losing. APC remains a party that leads in internal democracy”.
Ibrahim also weighed in on her recent emergence as the National Vice Chairman of IPAC, describing it as a sign that when women are given the level playing ground, they will efficiently influence decision process.
“I am glad and excited to tell you that I was elected as the Deputy National Chairman of IPAC. This is the first time a female has been elected into that position. This is a clear testimony that IPAC is leading the way for inclusive governance.
“In some places, it is known as the zebra system, where you have a male as the Chief Executive and a female as the Deputy. So, in IPAC, our Constitution states that if the Chairman is male, automatically the Deputy must be female. Where the Secretary is male, automatically the Deputy is female, and vice versa.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this is a clear testimony that when women are on the decision-making table, they advocate and promote policies that favour inclusion. I was there, and I know how long it took us—about five days—to have the twinning formula adopted in the Constitution”.
Regarding factions in some political parties, the IPAC National Vice Chairman said the body relates strictly with INEC and that IPAC will only work with the names of party leaders on INEC portal.
