When a number of state chairmen of the ruling All Progressives Congress arrived in Abuja on Thursday for the National Executive Committee meeting, they found the party secretariat to be almost vacant.
On the other hand, they informed reporters that they will be holding separate discussions regarding the current difficulties brought on by the reduction of subsidies with party leaders and the Federal Government. Neither Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman, nor any other member of the National Working Committee was present to meet them.
The party’s National Caucus and National Executive Committee meetings, which were originally slated for September 11 and 12, respectively, have been postponed indefinitely, according to a report published on Monday.
Although no reason was offered for the meeting’s postponement, Felix Morka, National Publicity Secretary, claimed that a new date would be announced later.
Our correspondent, however, learnt that the meetings were cancelled because President Bola Tinubu was unable to attend.
The Cross River State APC chairman and forum secretary, Alfonsus Ogar,informed the media that they consciously took the initiative to visit the secretariat to inform the media of their position on specific party issues, even though they were aware of the postponement of the meetings.
“If for nothing else, we want you to hear from us and know that these matters (the Benue and Rivers crisis) have been put in proper perspective, even though we are aware that the meeting (NEC) was cancelled,” he stated.
“So our arrival is not out of the ordinary. At the very least, we met because Abuja is our headquarters.”
Ogar also refuted claims that the ruling APC has become indifferent to the situation of Nigerians who are currently suffering as a result of fuel subsidy withdrawal, currency floating, and other economic policy changes.
The state chairman revealed that multiple steps are being taken to hold a closed-door meeting with the party leadership and Tinubu about the troubling problem.
“You mentioned the difficulty that Nigerians face. Yes, everyone has complained. We are not oblivious of this.
And when we say we’re going to have a closed-door meeting with one party, we’re also going to meet with the federal government. “It would be premature to raise some of these issues in public until that situation is resolved. Rest confident, you will hear from us again in the near future,” he added.
When approached for comment, Nze Chidi Duru, the APC’s National Deputy Organising Secretary, defended the state chairmen as well, claiming that several had already left for Abuja before word of the NEC and Caucus postponement reached the media.
Cornelius Ojelabi, the Forum of APC State Chairmen, had earlier in his remarks offered his condolences to the family of the late Isaac Omodewu, the chairman of the Oyo party, who passed away last week.
This was just as he condoled the Borno governor and the vice president over the flood catastrophe, which has taken some lives and rendered many homeless.
The chairman of the Lagos APC also praised the Ganduje-led NWC for extending the term of the Chief Tony Okocha-led Rivers State caretaker committee.
Bottom Line
The APC leadership appears to be attempting to address these issues internally and is working on strategies to mitigate the fallout.
The state chairmen’s initiative to engage both the party’s leadership and the federal government signals their awareness of the political risks involved in ignoring the frustrations of the populace.
By seeking to hold closed-door meetings, they likely want to present a united front before making any public declarations on solutions or policy adjustments, ensuring they can provide concrete answers to concerned Nigerians.
However, the postponement of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and the absence of key party figures like National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje during the state chairmen’s visit to the party headquarters could be interpreted as a sign of disorganization or internal discord.
