TENURE ELONGATION: Buhari begs for waivers for Oyegun, others

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday asked that waivers be granted to the All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, and other party executives at all levels to allow them vie for elective positions during the party’s congress if they wish to do so.

He stated this when he declared his intention to seek re-election in 2019 at a closed-door meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party in Abuja, adding that he decided to re-contest due to the clamour by Nigerians for him to vie again.

Before making his declaration to seek for re-election, Buhari said in his remarks on the report submitted by the APC National Executive Technical Committee, that with the present state of the party and based on the report by the technical committee that “it is important to focus on how to move the party forward by avoiding actions detrimental to the interest of the party.”

He said, “Considering that politics is a game of numbers, we must not be a house divided against itself and must try to note, appreciate and accommodate our differences as far as the law permits.

“Upon my review of the report, my position is to ensure that the party tows the path of unity, legality and cohesion and not that of division.

“Therefore, I am stressing that we should strengthen our internal democracy by organising the party’s congresses and convention where election of National Executive Committee members would be held. This will automatically end the cases filed by members seeking orders of Court compelling the party to hold its Congresses.”

On the issue of Oyegun and other executive members of the party seeking for re-election he said, “I also believe that the current executives should be free to vie for elective positions in the party if they so wish as permitted by our party constitution.”

Nothing that the provision of Article 31(1)(iii) of the APC Constitution requires any serving officer desirous of seeking re-election to resign from office 30 days before election, Buhari however said that he was not sure of the practicality of present serving officers’ ability to meet the condition as stipulated by the party’s constitution.

“Accordingly, the party may consider granting waivers to party executives at all levels so that they are not disenfranchised from participating in the elections should they wish to do so, provided this does not violate our rules.

READ ALSO: Finally, Buhari formally declares to re-contest for the presidency in 2019

“Necessary waiver(s) should also be extended to executives at the Ward level whose tenures may have elapsed, and indeed to anyone knocking at our doors from other political parties. This is in the spirit of the Right to Freedom of Association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“In this circumstance, the party should officially issue a statement on the above Waivers so that our house may be full. We all must not be ignorant of the times, and the journey that is ahead of us,” he said.

The president added, “Just like our party symbol; “the Broom,” which typifies strength in unity, let us strive to remain united in our purpose. Victory is sure by the grace of God, and together we must continue to sanitize Nigeria’s political environment.”

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