Gombe Council Chairman applauds APC C’ttee on new date for National Convention

Nahum Sule, Jalingo

As reaction continue to trail the postponement of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) National Convention by the National working committee, the Chairman of Shongom Local Government Area in Gombe state, Mr. Yohanna Nahari has commended the National working committee for announcing a new date for the National Convention.

The Chairman who spoke to Voice of Nigeria in a telephone interview noted that the earlier postponement is for the best interest of all the party members and also to allow for more time for adequate preparation.

“I will like to appreciate the actions of the National working committee for adjusting and announcing a new date for the National Convention so as to allow the zones to have it Convention and make necessary changes for the benefit of all members of the party, I believe that the decision of the National working committee is for the best interest of all” he stressed.

On the issues of alleged imposition of candidates on members as the reason for the postponement of the National Convention, the Chairman said the party’s constitution doesn’t give room for such as members have the right reject any such moves.

“Those who are alleging that the National Convention was postponed because of imposition of candidates on party members may not really know the provision of the party’s constitution because if they do, they will know that party is rooted in a democratic principles whereby imposition of candidates on members is nearly impossible and in an event where that happens the members have the right to reject such candidates, but for this postponement I believe is to allow for adequate preparation since the party is still within the period of the set time to conduct its Convention as stipulated by Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) as such there is no cause for alarm, moreover, even the General Election in 2015 was postponed and that didn’t change the outcome of the election”. He explained.

Mr. Nahari while also reacting to the crisis in the All Progressive Congress party (APC), noted that there was no factions in the party, but that the party is experiencing internal democracy in the form of expression of interest which is allowed in the Party’s constitution.

“Our party is rooted in the principles of democracy and democracy is all about interest and where you have the gathering of over one thousand persons there is bound to be diversity of interests but that doesn’t mean we are not members of the same party, members are allowed to express their interest and when they do it doesn’t mean the party is factionalised, at the end of the day we will all have to vote and the interest of majority will override the few”. He stated.

The Council Boss however expressed confidence on the leadership of the National working committee headed by the Governor of Yobe state Mai Male Buni stressing that the committee has the requisite experience and leadership qualities to give the party a befitting National Convention on the new set date.