APC Values Everyone: Oshiomhole Begs Saraki, Others

•  Assures party members of equity, justice
  

BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has pleaded with Senate President Bukola Saraki and other lawmakers to have faith in the Party as the newly inaugurated leadership is ready to operate an all inclusive administration that values all members and their contributions to the Party and its success.

The assurance by Comrade Oshiomhole comes on the heels of a split within the Party as some aggrieved stalwarts and the defunct new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) announced the formation of reformed All Progressives Congress (r-APC).

He therefore called for calm within the Party, particularly assuring its Senate Caucus that issues bedevilling the APC would be amicably resolved to the benefit of all party members

A statement by the APC’s Media Office in Abuja quotes Comrade Oshiomhole as saying; “We will do everything possible to be different from the way the NWC has operated in the past. I am aware having been a former governor and member of National Executive Committee NEC that there has been a tradition in the past that committees are set up, work is done, reports are submitted and action is not taken.”

According to the statement, Oshiomhole gave the assurance when a high-level Appeal Committee set up to receive complaints and petitions arising from the Party’s recent National Convention presented its report to him.

He stated that things will change positively going forward, adding that: “We will act on every report submitted to us, we will not sit on the fence, we will side with the truth and we will ensure that justice prevails.

“My appeal to those aggrieved is the assurance that under my leadership, we will make our obvious mistakes but once our attention is drawn, we will find courage to make up for our mistakes.”

Comrade Oshiomhole, who acknowledged existing and emerging challenges within the APC, however said; “I am very appreciative of the fact that we were all elected and in the case of some of us, we were even unopposed. That is a huge responsibility that our members have entrusted us, that we can pilot the affairs of the Party at this time. We knew there were challenges when we contested for the various offices to which we have now been elected. So we can’t claim we didn’t know.

“For us it is a huge opportunity to make a difference not only for our Party but to the Country. We will do everything possible to sustain confidence, to sustain trust. For us, everybody is important, everybody matters. We want to run an inclusive Party.”

Insisting that there are no losers in the Party, the APC National Chairman maintained that the party will run efficiently and democratically so that the interests of those who lost during the various congresses are accommodated and protected in the overall interest of the Party and its teeming members across the country.

“As the saying goes, if God gives you power, may he not deny you wisdom, I pray for wisdom, I pray for courage and I believe we have it and we will deploy it to make peace within the APC family”, the statement said

In his comments while submitting their report, Chairman of the Appeal Committee and former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani said 24 petitions were received and treated by the Committee.

He admitted that each case was treated with all the seriousness it deserves, adding; “It wasn’t our purpose to add kerosene to already raging fire. We made what we consider to be useful suggestions to the new National Working Committee that will give our members a feeling of justice.”

Insisting that everyone will enjoy a level playing field in the Party, the statement said that “justice does not mean you must win your case”, even as it assured that all aggrieved individuals and groups will have the opportunity to present their cases for proper adjudication by relevant organs of the party.

Oshiomhole’s Plea

In a related development, the former Labour leader on Wednesday led the Party’s NWC to meet the Senate Caucus and pleaded with the lawmakers to stay put in the APC as all contentious issues would be addressed based on their peculiarity across the 36 states of the federation.

“So, I ask you, Mr. President of the Senate and distinguished senators, to trust that working together along with our leaders who are not here, we are committed to finding solutions that everyone will be able to smile, remain in the house, work in the house,” he said.

Oshiomhole said with the support of the electorate in a free and fair election, those concerned about party structure could record electoral victory, adding; “Because of the dynamic nature of politics, it means that we have to put on our thinking cap and deal with issues as they arise, preferable deal with them proactively if they had already developed, and find the courage to deal with them to the best of our ability so that the issues can be resolved.”

Speaking at the open session, Senator Kabiru Marafa, who is APC’s factional leader in Zamfara State, frowned at their non-recognition during the recently concluded Party’s national convention in Abuja.

In his comments at the meeting, Senate President, Bukola Saraki expressed confidence that the Oshiomhole-led NWC will effectively resolve the simmering crises within the APC.

He told the Party Chairman that; “You have captured it, with your emphasis on finding solutions. Your emphasis on finding solutions is commendable. The essence of leadership is finding solutions, your attitude, your approach are very promising.”

Meanwhile, competent insiders hinted that both the APC and opposition PDP are dangling automatic tickets and waivers as incentives to woo aggrieved lawmakers for the 2019 general elections.