24 hours after the Forum of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State Chairmen pushed for an extension of the tenure of all elected and appointed officers of the Party in the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the national level, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party, has given its seal of approval to the move.
Party spokesman, Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi, in a statement disclosed that “it was generally agreed by members to extend the tenure” for a year.
The current tenure will end on June 30, 2018, he added, meaning the sitting officers will remain in office after the swearing in of a new President, Governors, and federal lawmakers.
He added: “By this decision, all affected officers will continue in acting capacity for another period of 12 months after the expiration of their current term.
“NEC also by unanimous decision, passed a vote of confidence on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Party’s National Working Committee (NWC), led by the National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.”
A political analyst said Tuesday that the officers of APC may end up with the two years advocated by the Forum of State APC Chairmen, ” because you know it does not make sense to go into a convention a month or so after a swearing in, that is if the APC wins at the center and elsewhere.”
The Forum of State APC Chairmen had in a communique had actually asked for a two-year extension.
In communique on Monday, the chairmen said:
“The forum after dissections and thorough appraisal of the APC-led Government hereby unanimously pass a vote of confidence on our dear President Muhammadu Buhari, the National Chairman of our great party Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other leaders of our great party for their numerous achievements despite the challenges so far experienced in our dear country. We also urge Mr. President to present himself for second tenure come 2019.
“The forum hereby also resolved as follows:
“a. That we support His Excellency Senator Bola Tinubu-led peace and reconciliation committee and urge the committee to expedite action in reconciling members of the party. The forum also calls on all the members of our great party to give maximum support to the committee to achieve sustainable peace in the party
“b. In view of the short period between the time available for the proposed party congresses and INEC published time-table for conduct of party primaries and general elections, the forum resolved that the tenure of the present officers of the party at all levels be extended by 2 years to avert challenges in the party.
“c. in view of the reasons as adduced above, and the fact that the present constitution as amended in 2014 has not been fully tested in the short life of the party, the forum resolved that the proposed amendment of the party constitution be suspended.
“d. The forum extends our heartfelt condolences and sympathizes with the good people of Benue, Adamawa, Taraba, Zamfara, Yobe and Bomo States for the attacks on them by the enemies of our dear country.”
