APC Ward Congress: Ganduje appreciates stakeholders’ decision for consensus
By Salim Umar Ibrahim, Kano
As Ward Congress for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) draws nearer across the country, APC stakeholders meeting took place in Kano, with governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje leading the highest decision making body of the party.
It was held at Africa House, Government House, Kano, Sunday, in the presence of members of the National and State Assemblies, party leaders and elders, former Deputy Governors, with apologies from former Governors and now Senators, Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya and Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and apologies also from the two Ministers who come from Kano.
This was contained in a statement released by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Abba Anwar, made available to Nigerian NewsDirect.
It said others who attended the stakeholders meeting were Commissioners and other members of the State Executive Council, chairmen of the 44 local governments, party chairmen from all 44 local governments, Caucus leaders from all the 44 local governments, among other stakeholders.
Governor Ganduje said, “I am delighted to see that you have all decided that the forthcoming Ward Congress, slated for Saturday, 31st July, be conducted under consensus arrangement. This decision of yours, will surely strengthen the process and make our party to be more peaceful.”
Adding, “We thank you for taking this decision. We were happy with the result we saw last time during our local governments election, when we followed your advice, the stakeholders.”
The statement added that, “It was only in one local government, when primary election took place in filling our candidate for the Chairmanship. And at the end of it, it was the person, who was earlier endorsed by the stakeholders, that made it.”
The consensus arrangement, according to the governor that was embraced during the local government election, was what saved the party from plunging into crisis.
Emphasising that, “We don’t want crisis in our party, that is why we are always determined to accept decision of our stakeholders at whatever level in the state.”
He further urged that, “As we are going for confirmation of our consensus, during the Ward Congress, we must make sure that, those to emerge as leaders, are loyal party members, who are committed and determined in the spirit of our party. As we are facing general elections.”
What remains, according to him, is confirmation of consensus agreement during the Ward Congress coming up in less than a week to come.
Warning further that, “All confirmation of our consensus must be held at party offices at Ward levels. Not in any other person’s residence. Party process and procedures must be respected.
“We are sending monitors and observers to come and see how the process will be conducted. Members of the Press are free to go and see. So also members of civil society groups. They can all go and see democracy in action,” he concluded.
All those who spoke at the meeting lent their support to consensus arrangement for the upcoming Ward Congress and other congresses.
Those who spoke include the State Party Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, Speaker State House of Assembly, Engineer Hamisu Ibrahim Chidari, Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Alhassan Ado Doguwa and Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, Murtala Sule Garo.
In their different presentations they all praised the governor’s leadership style, as good for the progress and strength of the party. Assuring that, they would do their best, to make sure that, the party is edified.
