By Joy Odor
The former House of Representatives Member, Mr Patrick Obahiagbon, has revealed that the All Progressive Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) led by Governor Mai Mala Buni just concluded membership registration population has rosed to above 40 million; a figure well above the projected targets.
The former House Member stated this on Friday, while speaking with newsmen at the party national secretariat in Abuja on the achievements of the CENCPC.
He was of the opinion that across the polling units, wards, local governments, states of the country and the Federal Capital Territory, the CECPC seamlessly conducted a peaceful exercise, devoid of a single record of political bellicosity and virulent belligerency.
Mr Obahiagbon said the supra feat is unheard of in the history of political party management not only in the country but the entire continent of Africa.
Speaking on the issue of resolutions of conflicts which has been the bane of the party for a period of years, Mr.Obahiagbon said CECPC commenced its assignment of bringing all aggrieved party members back into the fold and ensure willing termination of all ongoing litigations against the party and among members on issues that relate to the party.
He however advised aggrieved chieftains to abandon litigations and make use of the party internal mechanisms on dispute resolutions.
The former House member noted that the party’s constitution was clear on the fate that awaits members who go to court without first exhausting the internal conflict resolution mechanism of the party.
He enjoined any political party who has any issue arising from the just concluded ward congresses no matter his status in society to take advantage of the various Ward Congresses Appeal Committee currently reviewing issues arising from the congresses which they have just alluded to.
The Party Elder stateman reminded that the APC CECPC has been empowered with the National Executive Committee to reprimand recalcitrant members, but however, commended Governor Mai Mala Buni led CECPC for always appealing to the individual conscience of members.
Mr Obahiagbon stressed that the majority of APC faithful are comfortable with the administration of the APC national secretariat by Governor Buni and his team have delivered on their mandate.
He said: “I am aware and I do know sir, that you are equally aware that as I speak to you just now, this party inaugurated a Ward Congress Appeal Committee about a week ago and the Appeal Committee sitting over disputations and controversies that has arisen from some wards congresses in some states are currently sitting.
“The CECPC embarked on a genuine reconciliation drive that accords all aggrieved members, fair hearing and objective responses, placing party interests above individual interests.
“The Committee also visited some key stakeholders and left its reconciliatory doors wide open for those willing to visit the committee as well as, for suggestions and inputs.
“The transparent and objective approach to the problems that bedevilled the party, provided new confidence and trust in the party. Virtually all aggrieved members and groups who had left the party or sued the party in various courts willingly accepted reconciliation and withdrew litigations in the courts against the party.
“Against the backdrop of the magnitude and plenitude of the reconciliatory drive embarked upon by the CECPC, the fortune of the party in the last year has greatly improved across the country and especially, in the South-East and the South-South which has been the stronghold and bastion of the opposition in the past.
“I can confidently tell you all today that the APC is now more peaceful, more accommodating, and more united with more prospects than it was when the CECPC came on board” he noted.
