President Muhammadu Buhari says except John Oyegun, national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gets a waiver, he cannot contest for the top position in the ruling party.
The president said the same condition applies to party executives whose tenures are about to expire.
He spoke at the party’s national executive committee (NEC) meeting at the APC headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
Buhari said according to the APC constitution, serving party officers seeking to be re-elected ought to resign 30 days to the election.
“The current executives should be free to run for elective position in the party if they so wish and permitted by our party constitution,” Buhari said.
“However, considering the provision of article 30 section 1 and sub-section 3 of our party constitution which requires any serving officer desirous seeking re-election to resign from office 30 days before the election, I am not sure of the practicality of the present servings officers ability to meet this condition.
“Accordingly, the party may consider granting waivers to party executives at all levels so that they are not disenfranchised in participating in the elections provided this does not violate our rights or our rules.
“Necessary waivers should also be extended to executives at the ward level whose tenures may have elapsed and indeed to anyone knocking on our doors from other parties.
“This gives credence to the right to freedom of association guaranteed by the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria as amended. In this circumstance, the party should issue a statement on the above waivers so that our house maybe full.”
The president said by holding congresses and a convention, the party’s internal democracy would be strengthened.
“This will automatically end the cases filed by members seeking orders of court compiling the party to hold its congresses,” he said.
“Just like our party symbols the broom, we stand by strength in unity. Let us try to be united in party, victory is sure by the grace of God.” (The Cable )
