ELDERS and leaders of thought, as well as other stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-West, have indicted the national leadership of the party and that at the zone for failing to convene regular meetings to tackle crucial issues concerning the APC and governance.

They spoke separately at the weekend against the backdrop of the 2024 South-West Assembly of the APC convened by the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, held at the Eko Hotel Victoria Island.

The party leaders said such meetings in the party at the federal, state, local government and ward levels are essential to address existing mutual suspicion and tension across the board, as well as serve as the veritable avenues for those occupying elective and appointed offices to render the account of their stewardship, received feedback on government programmes and policies.

For instance, the pioneer national chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, underscored the significance of meetings on a regular basis to showcase the achievements of the government, adding the failure to hold such gatherings had allowed the opposition to have a field day through propaganda aimed at discrediting the APC-led federal administration.

He recalled that a party faithful flew from the United States, following an announcement that the APC was to hold a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting, only to be told that it had been called off by the national leadership.

The current situation, he noted, has emboldened the opposition to engage in a sustained campaign of blackmail and flak against the APC and the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration.

He wondered why the APC leadership at the national level and in the South-West had not convened meetings in the past one year.

The former civilian governor of Osun State also expressed worry for the inability of the party to carry out membership registration, given the importance of the exercise.

Similarly, another APC leader, Chief Segun Osoba underlined the necessity for regular meetings of the party at all structures, recalling that such engagement was the fad under the leadership of Akande.

He noted that there were platforms for the meetings among all stakeholders, including members of the National Assembly, and so on.

While emphasising the need to reinvigorate the unity and harmony among the party members, the former governor of Ogun State said the opposition was still campaigning as if the 2923 general election had not been held and won by the APC.

Also speaking, another leader of thought of the party, Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi, reminded the governors, lawmakers and other categories of public officials holding offices courtesy of the victory of the APC at the poll, as well as party executives that the failure to ensure regular meetings was a disservice to the party.

He denounced the disdain for internal democracy, saying candidates ought to be decided by the stakeholders in the community and not through sheer endorsement by an individual based on his status in the party.

He noted that the absence of regular meetings in APC at all levels has led to a complete disconnect between those in government and the party, as well as a majority of the party members.

In his contribution, the APC zonal chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, said the regular engagements and interactions among party members are crucial for the party to run seamlessly.

?I am of the humble view that there is a need for periodic interface and interaction between elected and appointed officials from the zone and their party managers to ensure constant interrogation of issues of governance and party management as they affect the zone. To make this easy, Southwest caucuses of the party are suggested for the National Assembly and appointed Federal Government officials,? he stated.

Acknowledging the achievements of the party in government, Kekemeke complained over some of the obstacles impeding the running of the APC in the zone.

He said the party does not have a ?zonal secretariat or office. We urgently need a befitting zonal secretariat, sufficiently equipped to gather data, document, analyse and input same for proper critical thinking and strategic actions for the work. The zonal secretariat and zonal officers need logistic support to be functional.?

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State disclosed that he and his colleagues had agreed to hold regular meetings, just as he made a case for sustained involvement and integration of the youth in the scheme of things.

His Ogun State counterpart, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who described President Bola Tinubu as ?the gift of our time,? also charged the APC stakeholders to replicate the meeting at all levels to further strengthen the APC.

He equally stressed the need to further boost the inclusiveness of women in political engagements.

A former governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi said the APC ?South West should set the example by committing ourselves to ensuring that every year, the zonal party convenes a policy conference to review the progress the zone has made in carrying out its programmes and recalibrating the objectives and strategy in accordance with changing needs and circumstances.

He lauded the existence of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission as formidable resources for policy advice and the promotion of baseline standards in the management of the states.

He said similar platforms for the speakers of state Houses of Assembly and chairmen of local government councils in the South-West should become active for a for consultation, coordination, and harmonisation.

?An active caucus between our leaders in the party?s national secretariat and the zones, the National Assembly, and key actors in the Presidency should be activated and formalised to ensure that the party and its officials in the executive and legislative arms of government work in concert,? Fayemi said.

On his part, the Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele said there is harmony among members of the National Assembly from the South-West regardless of political affiliations, a collaboration, he said facilitated the recent passage of the South West Development Commission bill in the National Assembly.

He declared: ?One of the major achievements of our Caucus is the successful passage of the South West Development Commission Bill. This was not just a necessity but a matter of equity, as other regions have similar commissions in place. I want to particularly appreciate every member of the South West National Assembly, regardless of party affiliation, for working together to ensure this bill?s passage in the Senate. We now await concurrence from the House of Representatives.

?We recognize that our success is not limited to members of the APC alone. Our colleagues from other political parties have been just as committed to the success of our region. This bill, and many others, reminds us that when it comes to the development of our people, there is no room for division. We must continue to work together to achieve more,?

President Bola Tinubu said attendance at the Lagos meeting showed the importance attached to the cooperation among APC stakeholders in the South-West and promised to be available in the next one even he advocated such meeting should hold at least three times in a year. (Nigerian Tribune)

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