Cracks In APC As Buhari Holds A Closed Door Meeting With Party Leadership

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, yesterday broke his silence with a threat to sue the party if he is not allowed to perform his role in the absence of a substantive spokesman.

The party’s erstwhile National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, had resigned his position after his appointment as the Minister of Information.

After his exit, the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun had said that he and the National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, would be speaking on behalf of the party.

But speaking with journalists yesterday in Abuja, Comrade Frank said the APC leadership had breached the party constitution for its continued refusal to recognize him as acting National Publicity Secretary.

“If the party can’t recognize the offices of deputy, they should scrap them, including that of Vice President, Deputy Senate President and Deputy Speaker.
“Automatically, I should have become the acting spokesman. I have written letter to leaders for them to allow me exercise my duty. The National Chairman and National Secretary know that what they are doing is wrong. What is hitting me today will hit them one day. I don’t need to lobby for my right. In a matter of short period, I will have no option than to approach court…. The current leadership is breaching the constitution of the party,” he said.

Speaking on the purpose of his media briefing, Comrade Frank asked President Muhammadu Buhari to set up an investigative panel to determine those behind the killings that trailed the just concluded governorship election in Bayelsa State.

The Bayelsa- born politician, who fielded questions from journalists yesterday in Abuja, especially on the poll, said the probe would curb trouble makers in future elections if the perpetrators were brought to book.

“I want Mr President to set up an investigative panel in order to know those behind the crisis that took many lives in Bayelsa. If their sponsors are within the APC or the PDP, they should face the law so that other parts of Nigeria will not take government for granted,” he added.

Comrade Frank, who congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for fulfilling his promise to ensure free, fair and credible elections under his regime, added that the outcome of the Bayelsa governorship poll had shown that the APC believed in true democracy.

He also congratulated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Seriake Dickson for his re-election, saying “this is not a victory for the PDP, but a victory for Bayelsa. Bayelsa has enjoyed a true democratic election.”

Frank also called on the APC supporters to remain calm, reminding them that the party still has the opportunity to win future elections.

Meanwhile, Members of the National Working Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress are holding a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari behind closed-doors inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo also attended the meeting which was held inside the First Lady’s Conference Hall.

The APC Chiefs were led to the meeting by the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to the meeting, which started at about 8:20pm with the arrival of the President and Osinbajo.

Those who attended with him included the party’s Deputy National Chairman, Lawali Shuaib; Zonal Vice Chairman, Segun Oni; and the National Legal Adviser, Muiz Banire, among others.

Some presidential aides including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, also attended.

The meeting is expected to take a position on the just-concluded Bayelsa State governorship election among others.