I remain party’s spokesman, Timi Frank insists
Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
The former Minister of Sports and the newly elected National Publcity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has said that he would approach his job differently from his predecessor, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
However, in a swift reaction, the embattled Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Timi Frank, said he remains the authentic spokesman of the party despite yesterday’s election.
Abdulahi who spoke on behalf of other three officers elected by the North-central zonal congress yesterday in Abuja, said he would be operating under a different template and terrain from his predecessor, Alhaji Mohammed.
“The position of the spokesperson of the ruling party is an entirely different assignment from my former position as the Minister of Sports. They all demand different approaches,” he said.
The newly elected APC Spokesman assured that he would do everything humanly possible to endear the party to Nigerians.
“I have fair understanding of what I am expected to do even though you never know until you really get there. What I can assure is that I will do the best I can, not only in the improvement of our party but also in contributing to the progress of this country especially at this challenging period,” he noted.
Asked if he will operate under any form of pressure due to the crisis in the party, he replied: “Let me say that I am not under any form of pressure because I don’t think any pressure can be bigger than my former position as the sports Minister.”
“However, what I know is that every human being is under pressure. Mr President, the ruling party chairman and everybody including the journalists are under pressure. There will always be pressure because the expectations of people are very high.
“So, irrespective of the economic challenges, we have to continue to weather the storm especially now. I am brought in to be part of the process. All I can reassure is that I will give the best I can to ensure that we continue to move forward,” he said.
Abdulahi and three other national officers were elected at the North-central Geo-Political Zone of the APC through a voice vote by delegates comprising the executive governors of Plateau and Niger States, Simon Lalong and Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello respectively.There were also representatives of the Kogi and Benue States governors, the representatives of the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, the National Vice Chairman of the zone, Alhaji Zakari Idde.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, Frank said though he is not against Bolaji as a person, “the process to become an authentic spokesman should be followed.
“I want to congratulate Bolaji Abdullahi for his nomination but he should know that this matter is still in court and until the court says otherwise, I am still the authentic acting National Publicity Secretary of APC.
“I will wait patiently for the party leadership to convene a national convention and ratify Bolaji’s nomination as the substantive National Publicity Secretary but until then, I,Timi Frank remain acting Publicity Secretary of theAPC.
“It must be made cleared to the plotters of this action that it is only national convention that can produce a national officer according to our party constitution while any other convention like the one North central just held can not do that.
“I will also make it clear that if they go ahead against the court order, that will amount to Contempt of the Court which I will challenge in the Court of law,” he said.
