By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
Leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South have applauded President Muhammadu Buhari over what they described as the “tremendous work he is doing under very difficult circumstances.”
While passing a vote of confidence in the Buhari administration, they said that all APC leaders must work together in harmony in the interest of the party and other Nigerians.
They also condemned the divisions among the leaders and urged them to foster unity in the zone.
At the meeting, which held in Abuja Tuesday, the Secretary of the party’s Caretaker-Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Senetor John James Akpanudoedehe, also called on South-South zone to meet periodically and re-energize the party into a proper winning machine in time for the 2023 general elections.
Akpanudoedehe said that the party under the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led CECPC has been repositioned as a “party of choice” for Nigerians as evidenced with the several high-profile and mass defection to the APC.
He stated that while it could be argued that disagreements were normal in politics especially where the struggle for political power and opportunities were involved, but taken to extremes, could jeopardize the chances of the party in elections.
His words: “The APC has now become a party of choice for Nigerians… for a serving Governor, H.E. Dave Umahi of his own volition, without any pressure or persecution to move to another party on ideological grounds shows that the party in government is doing something right.
“So we, as leaders of the region have a duty to, not allow ourselves and our people to be left behind in the coming tsunami.
“We must resist all attempts by the opposition to create division within our ranks. We must come together as one unit, having a common purpose. That is why we are here, to create an opportunity like this for us to talk things over, reconcile our differences and resolve to work together for the interest of the party and our people. Going forward, dialogue, consultations, peaceful disposition and compromise should be the watch ward.”
Communique released at the end of the South-South All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders meeting held at Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel Abuja on December 15, 2020
1. The meeting applauds Mr. President for the tremendous work he is doing under very difficult circumstances. Consequently, a vote of confidence was passed on the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
2. The meeting resolved that leaders must work together in harmony in the interest of the party and our people.
3. The meeting condemned the divisions amongst the leaders and urged on the need to foster unity in the zone.
4. The meeting resolved to set up a committee of six persons of integrity to handle reconciliation and issues from the various states. The committee is headed by H.E. Chief John Odigie-Oyegun with H.E. Lucky Imasuen as Secretary. Other members are: Chief Sunny Jackson, Dr. Mrs. Maryam Ali, Dr. Sam Jaja, Sen. Cleaver Ikisikpo and Chief Dr. Emmanuel Nsan.
5. The meeting called on leaders to use the membership Registration, Update, and Revalidation exercise as a tool for ramping up our support base and unification of the party in the region.
6. The meeting reiterated the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party on the withdrawal of all pending litigations between party members.
7. The meeting received two (2) members of the Federal House of Representatives from Rivers State who defected to the party. They are: Hon. Chisom Dike and Hon. Ephraim Nwuzi (Eleme, Tai Oyigbo & Etche and Omuma Federal Constituencies respectively).
SIGNED:
Sen. John Akpanudoedehe Ph.D
H.E. Lucky Imasuen.