Kalu denies involvement in plan to scuttle APC convention, sues for peace

The former Abia State Governor, Orji Kalu, on Saturday denied involvement in the efforts to scuttle the All Progressives Congress (APC) national convention slated for March 26.

The Senate Chief Whip made the clarification in a statement issued in Abuja.

He was reacting to claims by the former Director-General of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), Dr. Salihu Lukman, that some top members of APC were working with the acting chairman, Mai Mala Buni, to scuttle preparations for the convention.

Lukman was not the only top member of the ruling party to accuse the Yobe State and his supporters of plotting to undermine the convention.

The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai and his Ondo State counterpart, Rotimi Akeredolu, had during the week accused Buni and his supporters, including their colleagues of working to circumvent the collective will of majority of APC members.

In his statement, Kalu recalled that he had on December 15 last year appealed to the party and members of its caretaker and extraordinary convention planning committee to consider postponing the national convention earlier slated for February 26.

The statement read: “I have read the unfortunate accusations levelled against me by a former Director-General of the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF), Dr. Salihu Lukman .

“In a statement credited to Lukman, he alleged that some party leaders are working with the Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Mai Mala Buni to undermine the March 26 national convention of the party.

“He noted that there are other party leaders, including Senator Uzor Kalu who have actively supported Mai Mala to undermine the decision to organise the national convention of the party.

“It is on this note that I consider it necessary to correct the wrong impressions Lukman must be making efforts to create.

“There has been no time I participated in any collaboration or collusion to ensure that attempts to organise the APC national convention are blocked.

“I was worried that the creation of factions which denied the party victory in so many states in the past elections may repeat itself.

“I therefore called for a peaceful resolution of the crisis before holding the convention.

“No peaceful and tactful leader, would support a terrible scenario to reoccur.

“It is important to note that I have always stood for and supported the party and Governor Mai Mala Buni only happened to be the chairman of the party.

READ ALSO: March 26 date for APC convention sacrosanct – Gov Bello

“Aside serving as the chairman of the party, Buni is my old family friend and I cannot deny him because he is facing challenges today.

“We have been friends for the past 25 years.

“It is imperative to state that Buni has done very well for the party. His sterling leadership quality is what helped stabilise our great party across the six geopolitical zones, with high profile defections in our favour.”

The ex-governor urged APC leaders to guard their utterances to avoid creating disharmony in the party.

“Even in a nuclear family, disagreements and quarrels exist.

“The APC is a very big party with several caucuses. We have the governors, National Assembly, businessmen, youths and women among other caucuses.

“The directions and concerns of these caucuses should be taken into consideration at all times.

“Going forward, whether it is Governor Mai Mala Buni or Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, I would always give the party my maximum support and drive for stronger growth.

“There is always a danger with single story and I encourage Mr. President to hear the two sides of the story so that the party can win together,’’ the statement added.

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