At NEC meeting, Buhari insists Odigie-Oyegun must go, seeks waiver for new members

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday insisted that the National Chairman of his party, the All Progressives Congress, and other layers of executives must vacate their seats to pave way for the election of new leaders.
Buhari, in a speech he delivered at the opening of the NEC meeting, said considering that politics is a game of numbers, everything must be done to ensure cohesion in the party.
He said upon receiving the report of the Technical Committee, which the NEC set up to look into the issue of tenure extension for members of the National Working Committee and other layers of executives, his position is that it is important to focus on how to move the party forward by avoiding actions detrimental to the interest of the party.
He added: “Considering that politics is a game of numbers, we must not be a house divided against itself and must try to note, appreciate and accommodate our differences as far as the law permits.”
Buhari said on receiving the report of the committee, headed by the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, his position was to ensure that the party tows the path of unity, legality and cohesion and not that of division.
He added: “Therefore, I am stressing that we should strengthen our internal democracy by organising the Party’s Congresses and Convention where election of National Executive Committee members would be held. This will automatically end the cases filed by members seeking orders of Court compelling the party to hold its Congresses.”
Buhari equally said he believes the current executives should be free to vie for elective positions in the party if they so wish as permitted by the party’s constitution.
But he added: “However, considering the provision of Article 31(1)(iii) of the APC Constitution which requires any serving officer desirous of seeking re-election to resign from office 30 days before election, I am not sure of the practicality of present serving officers’ ability to meet this condition.
“Accordingly, the party may consider granting waivers to party executives at all levels so that they are not disenfranchised from participating in the elections should they wish to do so, provided this does not violate our rules.
“Necessary waiver(s) should also be extended to executives at the Ward level whose tenures may have elapsed, and indeed to anyone knocking at our doors from other political parties. This is in the spirit of the Right to Freedom of Association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“In this circumstance, the party should officially issue a statement on the above Waivers so that our house may be full. We all must not be ignorant of the times, and the journey that is ahead of us.
“Just like our party symbol; ‘the Broom,’ which typifies strength in unity, let us strive to remain united in our purpose. Victory is sure by the Grace of God, and together we must continue to sanitize Nigeria’s political environment.”