Douse tension over APC congresses, caucus member tells Buni

A member of the National Caucus of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Sam Nkire, has asked Yobe State Governor and Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee, Mai Mala Buni, to de-escalate tension over party congresses in the various states of the federation.

There is tension and crisis in some state chapters of the party as some bigwigs have rejected the national leadership’s position that all states should adopt consensus candidates for the election of ward officials ahead of the July 31, 2021 exercise.

In a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, Chief Nkire said the ward, local government, state and zonal congresses were very crucial in activating the APC’s chances of retaining power in 2023, and should not be taken for granted.

“It is important for the APC leadership to de-escalate tension associated with the conduct of congresses, in order to have a unified party executive to pilot the affairs of the party into 2023 general elections,” he said.

Chief Nkire also debunked claims on social media that he had joined a faction of the party in his home state of Abia.

“There is no truth in the said story. I’m still a leader and will remain a leader in the mainstream Abia State APC. We the leaders must see the need to do everything possible to win the confidence of all aspirants and interest groups, including that of High Chief Ikechi Emenike, as according to him, politics is also about inclusiveness,” he said.