Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) Democrats, a group within the Lagos State chapter of the party, Mr Fouad Oki, on Thursday, declared the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) comprising APC key leaders in the state as an illegal body not know to the constitution of the party, and, therefore, cannot decide, direct or make any pronouncement on the mode of conduct of ward congress or any policy or constitutional issue regarding the APC.
Oki said this in a statement made available to newsmen in reaction to the declaration by GAC headed by APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that the party congress slated to hold on Saturday had adopted the consensus approach for the exercise.
It would be recalled that GAC members met at the State House, Marina, on Wednesday, and issued a directive to that effect, at the conclusion of their meeting.
Oki, while further knocking GAC over the directive, described it as immoral, illegal, null, void and of no consequence whatsoever, saying the body was a “Tea Party” constituted by an individual and foisted on members of the party.
This was just as the party chieftain said it was trite that legal process was abused when a few individuals take advantage and interpret the party constitution for a different purpose other than for what it had been intended or designed for, adding: “That is why a rush decision was taken by a foreign component unknown to the constitution to direct the rubber stamp caretaker committee led by another lame duck personality to hurriedly call a stakeholder meeting in order to force down the throat of members of the party sham consensus agreement.”
According to Oki, “The only recognised organ of the party saddled with a function to deliberate and take decision such as an option on the type or mode to be adopted for Congress is the State Caucus.
“Party Organs and Composition of Party Organs is clearly enshrined in our Constitution in line with Articles 11: A subsection (1 – x III) and 12.9 of the APC Constitution 2014 (Amended).”
Oki, therefore, said any attempt to endorse consensus arrangement for the congress vide the directive of the so-called GAC is an exercise in futility based on the reply made by the party National Secretariat to his letter on the issues of Consensus, urging the party leadership in the state to check with the APC National headquarters “its decision on elective Congress option in line with Article 20 of the APC Constitution and its declaration on the rejection of consensus arrangement in Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and several other states where there are factions.”
“It is pertinent to let members know that the ward congress slated for 31st July 2021, will definitely hold in Lagos State in strict compliance with the congress guideline that has been made available to Party members nationwide.
“The guideline would be strictly enforced in the state to ensure fair participation by all members who can vote and be voted for.
“APC Democrats are well prepared for the congress, as you know, we have been on this battle for emancipation of our party in Lagos State since the last three
years.
“We urge our party members in the state to come out and participate fully. We appeal to all members of the party to eschew bitterness and ensure the peaceful conduct of the congress, that there was no going back on the congress. We are unshaken in our determination to go ahead with the congress,” Oki stated.
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