Crisis in APC over convention indicates party lacks internal democracy – Wike

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State says internal democracy does not exist in the All Progressive Congress (APC), attributing it to the reason why the party is always in crisis, particularly over its national convention exercise.

Problem began in 2020 when the Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling party was disbanded on the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Executive Council (NEC).

A caretaker committee headed by Governor Mai Buni of Yobe State was set up to pilot the affairs of the APC for a period of six months, a tenure that has now been extended twice.

There are allegations that Mr Buni wants to preside over the party to oversee the emergence of its presidential candidates for next year’s general election. The postponement of the national convention more than thrice are often cited by critics making such a claim.

The elective exercise has now been rescheduled for March 26, 2022, yet there are speculations that the Buni-led committee has secured a court order to bar the party from going ahead with the event.

On Monday, Niger State governor, Abubakar Sani-Bello presided over the committee meeting where he swore in state chairmen of the ruling party.

Addressing newsmen later, he said he was discharging his duties in acting capacity, refusing to confirm if Mr Buni has been removed from the position as widely reported in the media.

Speaking on the development in the APC, Governor Wike while inaugurating the Orogbum crescent (road) project in the new government reserved area (GRA) phase II, in Port Harcourt, on Monday, said the ruling party has failed because it lacked internal democracy, asserting the party was formed with the sole aim of snatching power which it can no longer manage.

“No internal democracy because they are not formed to practise democracy,” the governor was quoted as saying in a statement by Kelvin Ebiri, his spokesman. “They were only formed to see that they take over power and now they cannot mange it.

“APC has failed. Look at their crisis. It is just ordinary convention that is a problem; ordinary convention that didn’t take us time as opposition party.

“Yet you see what is happening and that’s the kind of people you want to put your hope, faith on. It can’t be possible.

“There is no internal democracy in APC. It is only one man who decides. Mr. President travelled to Kenya, came back on Saturday and ordered that this and that should happen and travelled again yesterday.”

The governor nicknamed “Mr Project” also clapped back at critics of his administration on his efforts to develop the state.

“Each time I read comments made by people who have failed, I just laugh at them. People think the only way they can be candidates of their party is when they go to newspapers to say what they don’t have the facts on,” Wike said.

“Shame! They never knew that we can turn Port Harcourt around this way. They never knew it to be so because they had all the opportunities. They had all the money in life then.

“But with the little that we have, see what we have done in Port Harcourt. I challenge them to be bold to walk around the streets.”