Give room to junior officers to aspire executive positions - President Muhammadu Buhari shocks Oyegun others over reelection bid

President Buhari on Tuesday has withdrawn his support over the decision of the National executive council of the All Progressive Congress (APC).


The President on Tuesday in a meeting in Abuja with the All Progressive Congress National Executive Council stated that the extension of the National Working Committee (NWC) is against the party system and also against the 1999 constitution as amended of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"In particular, I think it is important to talk about the contentious of our National and State Executive Officers. As we all know, the motion was moved in the last NEC meeting February 27, 2018 to the effect that when the tenure of the current executive expires in June this year they should be allowed to continue for one year.


"This motion was moved by a majority of members present at the last NEC meeting, even though some of our party members have since spoken very vehemently against it, others have even taken the matter to court.


"On my own part I have taken some time to review and seek advice on the resolution and what I have found is that it contravenes our party constitution and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.


"While the APC constitution article 17, in bracket 1 and 13 on two brackets b, limits the tenure of elected officers to four years, renewable once by another election.


"The 1999 constitution of of Nigeria as amended in section 223, also prescribe periodic election for party executives at regular intervals which must not exceed four years.


"Furthermore, article 31 of our party constitution provides that any principal officer wishing to re-contest or contest for another election must resign from his current post at least one month before the election.


"In this circumstance what is expected of us is to conduct fresh election once the tenure of the current executives approaches its end. The caretaker committee cannot remedy the situation and cannot currently act in place of electing officer.


"Furthermore, I think if we the constitutional provisions we might be endangering the fortunes of our party. If the tenure of our party executives can be legally faulted then it means that any nomination and primary election can also be faulted.


"This is not to talk of the issues that will arise and is already arising within the party when some of our members felt that they are being denied the right to aspire to executive positions, internal democracy is not explained within the party.


"I am therefore of the firm believe that it is better to follow strictly the dictates of our party and national constitution rather than put APC and its activities at grave risk.


"Fortunately, we have already approved a timetable for the holding of congresses and elections. I think this should be allowed to go forward and efforts should now be geared towards making them a great success. 


President Muhammadu Buhari said.