By Ismail Auwal
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has extended the tenure of the Governor Mai Mala Buni’s led caretaker committee by six months, on Tuesday.
The decision was made at the NEC meeting that took place today in the State House. President Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and other NEC members were in attendance.
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, told newsmen at the end of the meeting that the party has also approved the expulsion of former National Vice Chairman, South-south, Ntufam Hilliard Eta, for his failure to withdraw the court case instituted against the caretaker committee.
The governor said the NEC has also dissolved all states, zonal, and national party structures.
President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier commended Gov. Buni led caretaker extraordinary convention planning committee of the ruling APC for its succees in bringing a new atmosphere of hope to the party. He also asked the party leaders to respect this decision.
Buhari made the commendation in his opening remarks at the APC’s NEC meeting in Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The President further expressed delight that through the efforts of the 13-member committee set up on 25th June 2020, many party members that defected from APC have returned, while others have also declared for the party.
He said what is needed now is for the party’s chieftains to display discipline and sustain the tempo.
“I am convinced that in the last five months, since the appointment of the caretaker committee the initiatives taken have brought remarkably new atmosphere of hope in the party,” said President Buhari.
“Healthy debates are now taking place and the potential for organs of the party to affirm majority positions as the decision of the party is now possible.”
“What is required now is for all of us as leaders of the party to maintain discipline and ensure that this new momentum is protected, sustained and the decisions of party organs are respected by every member.”
“Despite the challenge to restore peace in the party and the series of elections at hand, the fact that we have gained more members and that we are not losing members to the opposition under the present interim leadership, indicates improvement of the party.”
”In fact, we have begun to win back our members who left us and other notable political leaders are being attracted to our party.”
