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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed reports of an internal crisis within the party.
The resignation of Senators Abdullahi Adamu and Iyiola Omisore as national chairman and national secretary respectively had fuelled reports of upheaval within the party.
Although Abubakar Kyari and Festus Fuanter has assumed office as acting national chairman and acting national secretary respectively, there have been speculations over the potential permanent holders of the positions.
While former governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje has been pushed forward as President Bola Tinubu’s preferred candidate for the chairmanship position, immediately apart governor of Pain State, Gboyega Oyetola, and Senate spokesperson in the ninth National Assembly, Sen Ajibola Basiru, have been reported to be in the running to emerge as national secretary.
But a statement issued on Saturday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Barr Felix Morka, said the reports of a crisis in the ruling party are speculative.
“Quite to the contrary, there is no crisis in the party. APC stands as one strong, dynamic, resilient and progressive party,” he said.
According to Morka, the resignation of Adamu and Omisore only shows the “high level of institutional maturity and quality of its leadership that place the best interest of the party first and above personal egos and ambitions.”
The National Publicity Secretary said the “rapid succession, in acting capacities, to both offices exemplifies a working constitutional process.”
He noted that all sections of the party’s leadership are united in the quest for a more progressive party, adding that “the personal thoughts of members do not reflect the position of the party or the NWC.”
“Change in the life of any individual or institution is constant and inevitable.
“As Africa’s largest political party, our demonstrated capacity to adapt to change and emergent realities always stands us out, and sets us beyond the wishes of doomsayers.
“We remain committed to the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration towards uplifting the quality of life of all Nigerians,” he added.