Why we shifted convention — APC NWC, govs

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State yesterday shed more light into the reasons why the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) shifted its mid-term convention earlier scheduled for April 29, 2017.

El-Rufai was mandated to brief journalists on the outcome of the second meeting between the APC National Working Committee (NWC) and the 24 governors of the party.

He said the party had to raise money for the convention through the same people who donated during the 2015 campaigns and the resources of some members.

He said the joint meeting between the NWC and the governors had resolved to look at the arrangements for the mid-term convention and put in place the resources necessary as required by the constitution of the party at its next meeting.

Asked to comment on the delay in the conduct of the convention, he said, “Yes, we have wanted to have the convention earlier than now; but we are not a party that uses public resources for its operation.

“The APC is funded by private donors and the contributions of its members. We do not use treasury money to fund the operations of the party. That is why our party, even though it is the government has logistic constraints. We are not stealing from the treasury to fund our party. That is the difference between Buhari’s creed and governance strategy from the other party,” he said.

“By the time we come to next month meeting, we would be able to announce to you a date and a timeline for that convention; I do not think that is a problem,” he said.

Asked whether APC governors were not worried over the inability of President Muhammadu Buhari to preside over the FEC meeting for three consecutive weeks, El-Rufai said, “We are not worried about the development. It is not compulsory for Mr President to preside at every FEC meeting. That is why our constitution makes provision for a Vice President.