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Ajulo warns APC against Consensus arrangement in electing it’s NWC

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***says court will declare it illegal, if challenged

A former National Secretary of the Labour Party, Dr. Kayode Ajulo has warned the leadership of the All Progressives Congress against adopting the consensus system of electing the National Working Committee of the party.

He said doing so would amount to gross illegality which any of the aspirants being denied of their rights would successfully challenge in Court.

Ajulo. In a statement made available to our correspondent in Abuja, argued that the Electoral Act did not make provision for consensus system of electing the NWC members of any political party.

He therefore warned the APC against carrying out an exercise that a court would later declare as a nullity.

Part of his statement read, “It is no more news that the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress has been slated for (today) Saturday, the 26th of March, 2022.

“Several notable Nigerians like the former Governor of Zamfara State, Gov. Abdulaziz Yari, Mallam Salihu Mustapha, Muhammed Etsu, Senator Sani Musa, Senator Abdullahi Adamu and others have evinced intentions to vie for the National Chairmanship position of the party.

” In a twist of event, the APC governors and President Muhammadu Buhari, exercising their right of choice have resolved to pick one the candidate as the Party’s Consensus Candidate for the position of the National Chairman of the Party at the upcoming National Convention.

“Similarly, they also resolved to pick consensus candidates for other positions in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Party.

“The Chairman of the Interim Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Gov. Mala Buni has also said that the Party will bow to the decision of Mr. President and the APC governors with respect to the mode of selection of the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Party.

“As a passionate and interested observer, it is therefore imperative to beam a searchlight on the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 viz-a-viz the consensus option of the All Progressives Congress.

“Section 82(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022* provides that:

“ The election of members of the executive committee or other governing body of a political party, including the election to fill a vacant position in any of the aforesaid bodies, shall be conducted democratically and allowing for all members of the party or duly elected
delegates to vote in support of a candidate of their choice”.

“A literal interpretation of the above provision which is devoid of any ambiguity, clearly conotes that the only mode of election of members of the executive committee or governing body of a political party shall either be by direct or indirect election.

“It therefore implies that the Electoral Act, 2022 has expressly abrogated “consensus” mode of election of members of the executive committee or other governing body of a political party.

“Moreso, the position of law is clear to the effect that the provisions of the Constitution or a Statute should not be interpreted in isolation but rather along with other related and relevant provisions thereof which assist in achieving the object intended by the framers.

“For instance, in the case of *P.D.P. v. INEC. (1999) 7 SC. (Pt. II) 30, (1999) 11 NWLR (626) 200 at 249,* Uwais, CJN had pointed to what is required to be done in interpreting the provisions of a Statute or Constitution as follows:-

“It is settled that in interpreting the provisions or Section of a Statute or indeed the Constitution, such provisions or Sections should not be read in isolation of the other parts of the Statute or Constitution. In other words, the Statute or Constitution should be read as a whole in order to determine the intendment of the makers of the Statute or Constitution.”

“To drive the point home, it is therefore apposite to draw inference from other provision of the Electoral Act, 2022 in order to arrive at a holistic conclusion.

“Section 84(2) of the Act provides that: “ the procedure for the nomination of candidates by political parties for the various elective positions shall be by direct, indirect primaries or consensus”.

“Section 84(9) of the Act further provides that: “A political party that adopts a consensus candidate shall secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the position, indicating their voluntary withdrawal from the race and their endorsement of the consensus candidate.

” It suffices to note that even though the provisions of Section 84(2) and 84(9) of the Electoral Act specifically deal with conduct of party primaries, however one point that is very clear is that if the drafters of the Act would have permitted consensus mode of election of members of the executive or other governing bodies of a political party, they would have expressly stated so.

“Hence, it is safe to conclude that the Drafters of the Electoral Act, 2022 never intend that consensus mode shall be applied in the election of members of executive or other governing body of a political party.

“With the above revelation in mind and considering the status of the All Progressives Congress as the ruling party in Africa’s largest population and economy, it is therefore important to advise decision-makers of the party to be wary and must recognize the harm that would be occasioned if the members of the Executive of the party are elected by consensus mode.

“To the foregoing point, this reality, thus throws up the likelihood that the very foundation of the leadership structure of the party, if the consensus mode of election is used at the National Convention of the APC on 26th March, 2022, can be challenged by appropriate party members, with potential disastrous consequences for the party at the general election.

“One can readily recall the hint of the Supreme Court in Jegede v. Akeredolu & Ors( SC/CV/448/2021) on the shaky leadership structure of the All Progressives Congress led by Gov. Mala Buni.

“Hence, in order to nip another looming inglorious kismet in the bud, it is thereby admonished that the party should immediately resort to direct or indirect mode of electing members of the Executive or other Governing body of the Party at the National Convention.

“A stitch in time saves nine,” Ajulo further warned the APC leaders.

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Kano APC Disowns Minister, Questions His Appointment by Tinubu

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Abdullahi Abbas

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Abdullahi Abbas, has publicly disowned the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, declaring that he is not a member of the party.
Abbas made this statement while reacting to Ata’s recent criticism of him during a BBC Hausa interview, where the minister warned that he and his supporters would leave the APC if Abbas or anyone like him was reinstated as the party’s chairman in Kano.
In response, Abbas accused Ata of working against the APC during the 2023 elections, stating that they had reported his alleged anti-party activities to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“To us APC members, Yusuf Ata is not a member of the APC. We don’t even know why he was appointed a minister,” Abbas said. “In the entire Kano State, it was only in his local government that we came third during the election.”
The statement is a highlight of growing tensions within the Kano APC, as party leadership continues to challenge Ata’s loyalty and legitimacy within its ranks.

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NNPP Cracks Down on Lawmakers Over Alleged Anti-Party Activities

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Kawu Sumaila

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano has taken decisive disciplinary action against several of its members, including a senator and other legislators, over alleged anti-party activities.
Addressing journalists in Kano on Monday, the NNPP State Chairman, Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa, announced that the affected lawmakers include Senator Kawu Sumaila (Kano South), Alhaji Abdullahi Sani Rogo (Rogo Federal Constituency), Alhaji Abdullahi Rurum (Rano/Kibiya), and Ali Maadakin Gini (Dala Federal Constituency).
Dungurawa expressed the party’s disappointment, stating that despite receiving complementary tickets during the party’s primaries, these legislators had allegedly worked against NNPP’s interests, principles, and values.
“The party is deeply concerned about the conduct of some National Assembly members who were elected under our platform but have chosen to betray the trust placed in them,” he stated.
The NNPP’s latest move signals a firm stance against internal disloyalty as the party seeks to maintain discipline within its ranks.

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Obidient Movement Gears Up for 2027, Strengthens Unity

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Obidient Movement Logo

Following a successful Advisory and Directorate Committees meeting held recently, the Obidient Movement has reaffirmed its commitment to a united, strategic, and value-driven political future.

The meeting, described as a milestone gathering, brought together key stakeholders and leaders within the movement to solidify strategies for the 2027 general elections.
Central to the discussions was the vision of ensuring competent, value-based leadership, with a strong emphasis on supporting Peter Obi and like-minded leaders who embody the movement’s ideals of integrity, good governance, and accountability.
Participants at the meeting underscored the importance of organisation, coordination, and active participation in driving the movement’s objectives.
The event provided a platform for meaningful dialogue, reinforcing the need for structure, outreach, and grassroots mobilisation to sustain the momentum ahead of the next election cycle.

Following the deliberations, members left with a renewed sense of purpose, fully aware of the responsibilities ahead.
National Coordinator of the Movement, Dr. Yunusa Tanko
expressed confidence in the movement’s direction, thanking those who have taken up leadership roles in various directorates and advisory councils.

“We deeply appreciate all those who have accepted appointments to serve in different capacities. Their contributions will be critical in shaping the movement’s future. We also salute the millions of Obidients across Nigeria and beyond who tirelessly advocate and mobilise for a better country. Your dedication is the heartbeat of this movement,” Dr. Tanko stated.
Continuing, he said eith renewed energy and focus, the Obidient Movement is set to expand its structures nationwide, ensuring greater coordination and effectiveness.
According to him, the movement will also empower supporters with the tools needed to actively participate in governance and political processes as well as sustained mobilization at all levels, to reinforce the push for transformative leadership in Nigeria.

Dr. Tanko urged all supporters to stay engaged, participate actively, and remain steadfast in their commitment to the movement’s cause.
He emphasized that a new Nigeria is within reach, but only through collective action and perseverance.
Finally, Tanko encouraged all Obidients to stay informed, join local chapters, and contribute to the shared vision of a better Nigeria.
For further updates and participation, he urged supporters to reach out via Obidient.unification@gmail.com.

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