Impending crisis on the horizon within the APC as Lukeman indicates the possibility of pursuing legal recourse

By: Nwakaji Peace Martins

Former national vice chairman (North-West) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has lodged a formal complaint with President Bola Tinubu, indicating his intention to take legal action against the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) for violating its constitution.
Lukman, in his correspondence dated May 21, expressed his distress over the absence of organizational meetings for almost a year, infringing upon the stipulations of the party’s constitution.
He felt compelled to inform Tinubu of the transgressions committed by the party’s leadership, operating in a manner that disregards the constitutional provisions.
The former Director General of the APC Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) issued a two-week ultimatum to the NWC to adhere to the party’s constitution by activating all organizational structures, failing which legal action would be pursued.

He emphasized that the NWC had assumed the powers of all organs and the national chairman was making arbitrary decisions, cautioning that these decisions not only contravene sections of the constitution but also undermine Sections 221 to 229 of Part Il of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended, as well as the Electoral Act 2022.
The petition stated: “I am compelled to kindly bring to Your Excellency’s attention the fact that our party is currently operating without regard to the provisions of the APC Constitution. Meetings of the requisite organs as outlined in the APC Constitution are not being convened. Decisions that should be made by established party organs are being unilaterally taken by individual leaders.
“One crucial organ, the Board of Trustees, now known as the National Advisory Council, has not been inaugurated since the inception of the APC in July 2013. Consequently, the NWC has assumed the powers of all organs, with the National Chairman making discretionary decisions. Many of these decisions not only contravene sections of the APC Constitution but also undermine Sections 221 to 229 of Part Il of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended, as well as the Electoral Act 2022.

“As it stands, our democratic progress as a nation is regressing. Failure to adhere to the statutory provisions governing political parties has led to the operation of governments that do not prioritize consultation and honoring valid agreements reached through diligent political negotiations.
“One such agreement that was disregarded was the decision to zone the National Chairman of the APC to the North-Central geopolitical zone. It was disappointing when you nominated Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje from Kano State, North-West, in contravention of the agreement made in March 2022, which zoned the position to Nasarawa State, North-Central.
“To put it mildly, the selection of Dr. Ganduje, amidst unresolved corruption allegations, raises doubts about your dedication to the advancement of the APC as a political party and Nigerian democracy. Consequently, the series of decisions made without consulting the APC organs and in violation of existing internal agreements have resulted in a blatant disregard for the relevant provisions of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended, which require the establishment of inclusive governments at all levels.”

Lukman further stated: “Failure to rectify this situation will force me, as a patriotic Nigerian and committed party member who has diligently served, to seek legal recourse. Democracy loses its meaning when political parties fail to function effectively. When leaders of the ruling party intentionally ignore the provisions of the party’s constitution, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Electoral Act 2022, party membership becomes futile.
“As citizens dedicated to fostering democracy, it is our duty to take all necessary civil and legal actions to ensure compliance with the laws regulating the conduct of political parties and their leadership.”