Kogi APC battles Ganduje-led NWC, rejects replacement of resigned national, zonal officers

 The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has dissociated itself from news making the rounds that the Abdullahi Ganduje-led National Working Committee of the party has replaced the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary, as well as the former Zonal Organising Secretary who both resigned from the party.

In a statement signed by APC chairman in Kogi State, Hon. Abdullahi Bello on Thursday, he noted that the names of the replaced party officials being circulated did not emanate from the State Chapter of the party, adding that it is a clear contravention of APC constitution by known agents of destabilization.

According to the APC Chairman, consequent upon the resignation of the two officers from the party, the Kogi State APC under the leadership of Governor Yahaya Bello, met to ratify and forward names of replacements for the national and zonal officers that left the party.

Explaining further, Bello said, “The State Chapter ratified Hon. Yahaya Ade Ismail as the new Deputy National Publicity Secretary and Hon. Isiaka Musa as the Zonal Organising Secretary for North Central. And in line with the provisions of our constitution, communicated the ratified replacements to the National Working Committee, through the North Central Zonal Chairman of the Party.

“To our dismay, the National Working Committee came up with strange names which didn’t pass through the State Chapter nor the North Central Zone of the party and purportedly went ahead to ratify them, citing ‘Presidency interest’ as the rationale for their action. We strongly reject the action as we will not be parties to the blatant and flagrant violation of our party’s constitution.

“Our belief in Mr President as a man who respects the Constitution of our party and a man who believes in due process is unshaken in the face of the current confusion foisted on the party by people dropping the name of the President to achieve their selfish aims”.

He called on the National Working Committee of the APC to reverse the unconstitutional replacements done on their behalf without ratification or approval, adding that the ruling party should revert to their ratified list as they occupy those offices on behalf of the State Chapters.

“We have delivered Kogi State to the APC and the least we expect is for the party hierarchy to continue to support us to achieve greater heights.

“The Kogi State Chapter of the APC therefore rejects the decision of the National Working Committee in its entirety and urges it to follow the constitution of our party and the due process our party is known for.

“We are confident that the interest of the party is for Kogi State to remain a stronghold of the APC, especially now that we march towards November 11 to retain the State,” he stated.