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How plot to extend APC caretaker panel tenure was stalled
By Yusuf Alli and Jide Orintunsin, Abuja
Details of how 36 states caretaker chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) rejected the plot to extend the tenure of the National Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee beyond June became clearer on Thursday.
Although the National Caretaker Committee acceded to the state chairmen’s request for the extension of the membership registration and validation, they refused to shift ground on the plot to extend its tenure.
According to the Forum of State Caretaker Chairmen, only a substantive National Working Committee (NWC) can prepare the party for the 2023 general election.
The Forum said the time frame given by the National Executive Committee last December should not be compromised.
Following the forum’s appeal, the Caretaker Committee extended the embership registration and revalidation, which ended on Wednesday.
Investigation revealed that at the meeting of the state chairmen, 24 of them were in favour of the national convention in June.
They also maintained that the three-week extension for the registration and revalidation should be upheald.
According to them, the party should adopt a policy of continuous membership registration instead of seeking additional eight weeks.
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A state chairman, who spoke in confidence, said: “In spite of the fact that we were sensitized before the meeting, we saw the reality on ground that we run the risk of late preparation for 2023 poll if we extend our membership registration and revalidation.
“The register ought to be evaluated and filtered. There may be claims and objections. We cannot even rule out litigations. We felt time is no longer on our side as a party.
“We also took cognizance of the fact that APC was formed with membership registration under three months. Why must we spend eight to 10 months on supplementary registration and revalidation? We rejected the request for eight weeks.
“This was why we resolved that the Caretaker Committee should enjoy only additional three weeks to tidy up the exercise.
“Our decision was communicated to the Caretaker Committee and it was accepted.”
Rising from its meeting in Abuja, its Chairman and Bornu State Caretaker Committee Chairman, Ali Buka Dalori, said the mass turnout of old and new members for registration and revalidation called for an extension of the exercise.
The Forum stressed the need for the National Caretaker Committee to complete its assignment, particularly to conduct the national convention.
Dalori said:”We have seen tremendous turnout of Nigerians and the mass increase in the party strength in the last few months, and it is only proper that we allow the exercise to progress to the best of conclusion.
“Immediately after the commencement of the exercise, we all saw the need for an extension to accommodate the second stage of the exercise, in view of the mass turnout of Nigerians to associate with the party that was not fully prepared for.
Justifying the call for extension, Dalori noted that some states only recently received registration materials to commence the second phase due to logistics bottleneck and complexity of the distribution process.
He said the affected chapters were unable to meet up with the scheduled timetable.
“We, the state chairmen of APC therefore, by this medium, appeal to the leadership of the party and the CECPC to consider in the interest of the party and all-intending members of the party across the country, to consider and effect a further extension of the exercise.
“Thus, after the conduct and conclusion of membership registration/ revalidation exercise we urgently call for;
- The immediate conduct of Congresses and convening of the National Convention; and
- To allow for completion of all other tasks assigned to CECPC (by NEC) within the time frame.”
There were cracks yesterday in the Caretaker Committee over the extension of the registration and revalidation.
Some members of the CECPC alleged that they were not consulted, pointing out that the committee has not met since the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in December last year.
On the national convention, a state chairman from the Northwest, said: “We insisted on June tenure expiration deadline for the Caretaker Committee.
“So, at the meeting, 24 state chairmen were adamant on three-week extension for membership registration and June for national convention. About 12 supported the CECPC proposal for fresh eight weeks to register members and by extension more time for the Caretaker Committee.
“Unless we have duly elected party officials at all levels in place, we cannot plan well for 2023 poll.
“Most of us agreed that since 2022 is a pre-election year, we need to use this year to tidy up APC structure at all levels.”
Some members of the CECPC alleged that no meeting was held to consider and ratify the new registration timeline.
A member of the committee said the party leadership has not met since last year.
The CECPC member, who spoke with The Nation last night, said: “It is insulting to read or hear about the extension of registration of members in the media.
“We haven’t had any meeting since our NEC meeting in December 2020. APC members should ask questions from the leadership where we met to extend the registration exercise. They should demand for the minutes of such a meeting. What is this party turning into?
“We are in the Caretaker Committee but nobody consulted us on the setting up of the Contact and Mobilisation Committee. President Muhammadu Buhari has his trusted ally and confidante as a member of the CECPC, he should ask him how the Caretaker Committee is operating.”
