APC Must Not Hold Convention In February 2022 – Kalu Warns Party Leaders

Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu has advanced reasons why the planned National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) should not hold in February 2022.

Kalu in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the APC, Governor Mai Mala Buni said the party must first resolve all issues and disagreements resulting from the conduct of the party’s congresses.

He stated that failure to do this may result in the implosion of the party ahead of the 2023 general elections

The former Abia State Governor went ahead to recommend that the APC hold its National Convention at the same time as the 2023 presidential primaries.

Kalu in the letter titled, “Urgent appeal for postponement of APC national convention”, said to avoid doom, the party must postpone its national convention.

The letter reads in part: “It is with a sense of commitment and unflinching loyalty to our great party, the APC, that I write to you the content of this letter regarding the national convention of our party slated for February 2022.

“However, it is pertinent to note that some states are embroiled in crises with multiple factions.

“These factions are not new to our politics, especially since the return of democracy in 1999.

“However, it is important to put into consideration, the consequences of these factions during and after elections.

“It is important to remind you that the ignoble creation of factions in our party in Rivers and Zamfara states cost the party the governorship elections in those states.

“APC also failed to field candidates in some senatorial districts in Cross River State, thereby helping the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to victory.

“Similarly, the creation of factions denied the party victory in so many states because the crises were never settled. As a peaceful and tactful leader, I am sure you wouldn’t allow such a scenario to reoccur.

“The logical corollary of the foregoing pronouncements of the courts is that having too many cases without settling them amicably, the APC may be embarking upon a collision course which may lead the party to implosion.

“It is important to first postpone the convention with all peace and reconciliation machinery fully put in place.

“The issue of zoning should be properly handled with even representation across the six geopolitical zones.

“In conclusion, I am suggesting for a simultaneous event of having the presidential primary and election of National Working Committee (NWC) members on the same day and venue to avoid rancour and litigations,” Kalu said.

This article was originally published on Naija News