The new state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia state Dr. Emmanuel Ndukwe, has said that President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to reject that of the National Executive Council (NEC) on tenure extension for the current executive at all levels, was the best, and that such will strengthen the party.
President Buhari on Tuesday rejected the National Executive Council (NEC) decision to extend the tenure of Chief John Oyegun led National Working Committee (NWC) and other executives beyond June this year, saying such move was unconstitutional.
Ndukwe, who was attending the NEC meeting for the first time after taking over as the party chairman in Abia state, described President Buhari as a law-abiding citizen who believe in working in accordance with the party’s constitution.
Recall that an Abia High court sitting at Okpuala Ngwa had sack the party’s state executive council led by Hon. Donatus Nwankpa which paved way for Dr. Ndukwe as the new state chairman.
While commenting on the President’s speech shortly after the NEC meeting, Ndukwe said: “I am a Buharist, the president is a law-abiding citizen and as a law-abiding citizen, we work with party’s constitution and there is never a place where it was mentioned that a tenure can be extended. So, I gladly accept and very happy that we are going to conduct our congresses, especially in Abia State where I have taken over.
“I use this opportunity to call on all the people that have been sidelined previously from participating in party activities to mobilise and come in and participate in the congress and they can install whoever they want.
“All what we want is openness. The era of moneybags coming in, using their money to influence important issues is over. Let them come in and mobilise people in the grassroots. There is no need running away, let them come in build the party,” he said.
When speaking on the implications of President Buhari’s decision, Ndukwe said: “All those who call themselves stakeholders and they don’t come home, this is the opportunity for them to come home, mobilise for the party and make the party stronger in Abia state than it has been. So, I am calling everybody, we are going to run open government.
“The doors are open quite unlike what has been happening in the past. All the people that they are feeling they have been excluded from participating in party activities; this is an opportunity to come, prove their popularity and mobilise to work for APC because APC must take over Abia state in the general election in 2019.
