Members of the dissolved National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has retreated, saying they are no longer considering legal action in addressing their grievances.
The aggrieved NWC members had mulled legal action after the committee was dissolved at a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the party that was held at the presidential villa on Thursday.
A caretaker committee chaired by Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, was set up in the place of the dissolved NWC.
Speaking on Friday, ex-National Secretary, Waziri Bulama said they have accepted the decision of the president on the dissolution of the committee.
“Following consultations with our leaders all the stakeholders, we have accepted the decision of the President on the dissolution of NWC and the setting up of a Caretaker Committee headed by Governor Mai Mala Buni,” Bulama said.
“We are respecting the president. We are not antagonistic. All the views we expressed were in light of the constitution of the party. Consulting our leaders and stakeholders does not mean going to court. We have no such plans.
“We are putting aside all constitutional and legal processes in the overall interest of the party. We have respect for authority, we appeal to all the stakeholders not to escalate the crisis in the party. We will cooperate with Buni’s committee which will organize a convention in the next six months.
“This is what is propelling some segments of the party is struggling to take control of the party because some elements within the Nigerian political elite see the political party as only within the limited scope of a function of a party as a special purpose vehicle for elections; thinking that if they seize control of the party and without Buhari, they can steer the party in one direction or the other.
“The court cases were triggered by some of these interests some of which are political, some personal. For instance, political ambition, someone thinks that if he takes over the party, he can use it for this purpose or that. He or she wants to secure election in the local government, state, or the national level and use it to his own advantage. This can trigger agitation within the party.”
Meanwhile, Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr Yekini Nabena, on Saturday commended the dissolved NWC for heeding the call of President Muhammadu Buhari not to institute legal action.
He also urged all other aggrieved party members and reported state factions among other stakeholders to drop cases against the party in courts, in line with the admonition of the President during the 8th resumed meeting of the NEC held on Thursday.
He said, “The leader of our party, President Muhammadu Buhari has called on party members to withdraw cases against the party in court. Its welcome development that many members have begun adhering to the President’s call. I urge other members and groups to do the same for the growth and unity of our party.”
