*NWC Member Accuses Adamu, Omisore Of Making Party Autocractic, Retrogressive
*Laments Violation Of Party Constitution, Failure To Account For Generated Funds

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was on Monday embroiled in fresh crisis following the claims by a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) that the National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu and Secretary, Iyiola Omisore, have turned the ruling party into an autocratic and retrogresive party.

North-West Zonal Chairman and NWC member, Salihu Moh Lukman, who made the allegations in a statement he issued in Abuja on Monday, lamented that the duo have not only violated the party’s constitution but also didn’t make any attempt to account for the whopping millions of naira the party raked since they assumed office year ago.

He also decried the failure of the Chairman and the chief scribe to convene meeting of the organs of the party like the National Executive Committee (NEC), National Caucus and National Advisory Council (NAC) I clear violation of the party’s constitution.

Lukman further expressed disappointment on the failure of the two leaders to make any attempt to render accountability to the relevant organs of the party, warning that democracy without accountability means dictatorship.

“So far, there was only one meeting of the party’s NEC on April 8, 2022. There was never any meeting of the National Caucus. Instead, meetings of the NWC hold without necessarily ensuring that existing constitutional provisions are respected.

“In the circumstance, critical functions of the NEC, which include approving the national budget of the party as provided in Article 13.3A(xiv) of the party’s Constitution is simply ignored.

“Further, Article 13.3A(xv) of the party’s constitution directed the NWC to give quarterly financial reports to NEC. Also, Article 13.4(ii) direct the NWC to present reports and Article 13.4(iv) compel the NWC to present financial report on income and expenditure of the party.

“All these have been ignored. Yet, it is public knowledge that the party has earned billions of Naira in revenue from sales of forms to aspiring contestants for the 2023 general elections.

“We are yet to, as NWC, declare to any organ of the party how much we inherited from Mai Mala-led Caretaker Committee and how much was received as donations and contributions for the 2023 elections.

“Large-scale expenditure, which include the renovation of the National Secretariat complex are being undertaken without any organ of the party exercising the powers of due diligence.

“As a member of the NWC, I can say without fear of contradiction, all decisions bordering on managing the finances of the party are being taken by the National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu and the National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore.

“Most members of NWC are reduced to onlookers or at best rubber stamp. All appeals for accountability have fallen on deaf ears. Decision of the NWC to convene NEC meeting in August last year was simply sabotaged.

“Once the party’s constitution is no longer the guide for managing the affairs of the party, discretionary decisions of leaders take over. Consequently, even what get paid to party officials and organs becomes acts of benevolence by the National Chairman or anyone he delegates.

“As a result, something as fundamental as the decision on what proportion of the party’s income is paid to States, Local Governments and Wards is exercised solely by the National Chairman and National Secretary. Party staff are hired and fired by the National Chairman and National Secretary without report to any organ, including the NWC.

“Given all these, there are embarrassing reports of party members who served in Screening, Primary and Appeals Committees for the 2023 elections yet to be paid their allowances,” he enumerated the sins of the two leaders.

Making a special appeal, Lukman wrote: President-elect should immediately intervene to restore constitutional order in the management of the party affairs. It will be a mockery to continue to bear the name progressive and continue to run affairs of the party based on the personal discretion of the National Chairman and National Secretary.

“There is also the challenge of urgently reviewing the performance of the party in the 2023 general elections. One of the issues that should be addressed as a matter of urgency is the case of indiscipline by party leaders at all levels.

“There are highly placed party leaders who have worked against our candidates during the 2023 general elections. This should be investigated, and appropriate disciplinary actions taken in line with provisions of our party’s constitution.

“Democracy without accountability means dictatorship. Once organs of the party are not meeting as enshrined in the constitution of the party, accountability will be absent, and the character of our party will be autocratic and retrogressive.

“Tinubu cannot afford to assume office with the baggage of being a leaders of an autocratic and retrogressive APC, which is insensitive to ethnic and religious tension in the country, largely compounded by our inability to regulate the conduct of our Senators-elect and House of Representatives members-elect.

“Everything must be done to return our party to its founding vision of engendering progressive politics in the country, which is about equitable distribution of power and resources in the country,” the statement read.

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