APC Govs Back Buni’s Committee on Congresses, National Convention

By Adedayo Akinwale

The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), the body of governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has reaffirmed its support for the Caretaker Committee of the party to proceed to conduct Local Government, State Congresses and National Convention, in line with the mandate of the National Executive Committee (NEC).

This was contained in a communique issued Tuesday and signed by the Chairman of the Forum and the Governor of Kebbi state, Atiku Bagudu, following the Forum’s meeting held on Sunday in Abuja.

The Forum said it further reviewed progress being made by the APC Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee in its effort to rebuild structures of the party at all levels and commended members of the Caretaker Committee led by the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni for the successful conduct of the Ward Congresses across the country.

It said, “Accordingly, Forum reaffirmed its support for the Caretaker Committee to proceed to conduct Local Government, State Congresses and National Convention, in line with the mandate of the National Executive Committee.

“Forum was further briefed on the July 28, 2021, judgement of the Supreme Court on Ondo State 2020 Governorship election and recognised that the legal status of both the APC Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee as well as its composition has been legally settled.”

Having reviewed progress in the party, the Forum commended all party members for commitment towards the rebuilding of the party.

The Forum noted with satisfaction reports from various states of commendable mobilisation and participation in the July 31st, 2021 Ward Congresses, saying all the states reported successful conduct.

It recalled that it had earlier commended the Supreme Court for the timely release of the written Judgement and expressed gratitude to APC legal team for the successful defence of APC’s electoral mandate in Ondo State.

On the ongoing strike by the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), the Forum stressed that grievances of the Resident Doctors were with State governments, and therefore appealed to then to negotiate with individual State Governments.

The Forum endorsed the initiative of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and supported the call by the federal government through the Minister of Labour, Dr. Chris Ngige for the immediate suspension of the strike to allow negotiations to continue.

It added: “Noting that most of the grievances of the Resident Doctors are with State Governments, Forum appealed to the Resident Doctors to negotiate with individual State Governments and issues affecting Resident Doctors in Federal establishments should be negotiated with the relevant structures of the Federal Government.”