A group, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Stakeholders has kicked against the imposition of Senator Abdullahi Adamu as the APC National Chairman in the March 26 Convention.
The Spokesperson of the group, Mr. Aliyu Audu, while addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja said the stakeholders are strongly against imposition in whatever guise.
He stressed that whenever a consensus option is adopted, as long as it is not predated by wide consultation, it would no doubt violate every known democratic ethos and principle.
The group described the endorsement of Adamu, either purported or real, as the chairman of the party as a very dangerous gamble, ‘one that signals a return of the much-beloved progressive party to the hands of the original PDP’.
It stated: “The lingering and now widespread speculation as to the plan to bring a former member of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in the person of Senator Abdullahi Adamu as the APC National Chairman in the forthcoming Convention, where loyal, qualified and competent foundation members of the APC are also in the race is not only an aberration but a violation of the established principle of APC which respects long term fidelity to the party and frowns at every vestige of injustice.
“While it is within his constitutional rights to vie for any position within the APC or even the country as a whole, we believe that the individuals who are purportedly behind the plot to make Senator Abdullahi Adamu the next APC National Chairman cannot sit down alone in their zones and decide who gets what, more so when the individual in question is of the PDP stock. ”
The stakeholders were of the view that Adamu does not deserve the coveted seat ahead of many other aspirants who have an unwavering belief in the ideals of the party and have laboured day and night for its success.
The group added that Adamu has not demonstrated any commitment to being young people inclined, especially at a time that the young members of APC who constitute more than 80% of the membership have been singing about marginalization and non-inclusion.
It said: “His recent assignment as the chairman of the reconciliation committee is a case in hand. Even though he failed grossly in reconciling aggrieved members of our party, particularly from all the states he visited, Senator Adamu failed to accord recognition to the critical mass of young people in the party who are even more aggrieved by the people he consulted during the so-called reconciliation process.
“Added to the issue of his capacity and competence is the issue of his unresolved cases with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“The APC, especially as a party that prides itself as one that frowns against corruption cannot afford to have any individual with questions to answer as her leader and we, the stakeholders will not be a party to any sort of travesty on our party’s anti-corruption ideology.”
“We, therefore, believe that any endorsement of Senator Abdullahi Adamu, either purported or real, as the chairman of our party is a very dangerous gamble, one that signals a return of our much beloved progressive party to the hands of the original PDP members.”
The group said it has uncovered plans to also bring another member of the party from the stock of the People’s Democratic Party in the person of former Senate President Ken Nnamani, to serve as the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress.
It said, “While he is known publicly to be a member of the All Progressives Congress, there are several instances where his loyalty to the party has been questioned. Information out there is that he has continued to be a member of APC in the daytime and a member of PDP at night, and while this information has not been proven to be true, the APC would be playing safe by refusing to hand over such an important position of Deputy National Chairman to a man whose loyalty once completely lied in the opposition.”