APC leadership faces legal threat from former party official

In an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Lukman, who also served as APC’s Vice National Chairman North West, accused the party leadership of violating Sections 221-229 of Part II of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended, and the Electoral Act 2022.

The Guardian reported that Lukman’s grievances include the failure to hold meetings of key party organs and the controversial appointment of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje as the national chairman, which he claims contravenes the party’s zoning formula.

He criticised the APC leadership for undermining the principles of consultation and respect for valid agreements made through political negotiations.

In his letter, Lukman highlighted the lack of functionality within the party’s critical structures, specifically pointing out that the Board of Trustees, now renamed the National Advisory Council, has not been inaugurated since the APC’s formation in July 2013.

This, he argued, has allowed the National Working Committee (NWC) to centralize power, with the National Chairman making discretionary decisions without proper checks and balances.

Lukman pledged to initiate legitimate civil and legal actions to enforce compliance with all relevant laws governing political parties and their leadership.

He expressed his willingness to retract his stance if President Tinubu orders a return to constitutional and legal order within the APC by June 7, 2024.

The former PGF DG also revealed his frustration over unsuccessful attempts to meet with President Tinubu since the previous year, expressing disbelief that the APC-led administration is associated with decisions that undermine democratic principles.

Lukman’s open letter, dated May 21, 2024, was also addressed to key political figures, including Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas.

In another report, Prof. Usman Yusuf, a member of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), characterised President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as a source of hopelessness.

He observed that instead of inspiring hope among Nigerians, the current administration has increased their sense of hopelessness over the past year since the former Lagos governor became the country’s president.

Source: TimesNow.com.ng