As parties battle internal issues ahead of the general election just five months away, the All Progressives Congress (APC) says it has uncovered ongoing “clandestine meetings” by some of its members with the opposition to undermine the party’s chances in the election.
The party has, therefore, read the riot act to blacklist the erring member, among other harsh sanctions, on the card.
The party, in a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Sunday and signed by the secretary of the Reconciliation Committee set up by the APC National Secretariat for Ondo State, Honourable Dele Olanubi, strongly warned those behind the conspiracy to quickly retrace their steps, or risk losing every privilege, recognition, and entitlement associated with their membership of APC.
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It accused them of trying to introduce fresh layers of discord at a time when the committee is striving to bring every progressive person on board for the unity of purpose and enduring camaraderie.
The APC said loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and other party candidates for the 2027 elections is non-negotiable; hence the warning by the party should serve as a strong notice to defectors and their internal collaborators.
“The disturbing intelligence that certain members have been attending meetings convened by persons who have exited the APC remains troubling and runs counter to the painstaking efforts of this Committee,” the party stated.
“Anti-party activity ranks among the gravest acts of indiscipline known to the APC and attracts the severest sanctions, including expulsion.
“We appeal, once more, to every genuine member to remain unwavering in commitment to the party’s cause. Do not introduce fresh layers of discord at a time when the Committee is striving to bring every progressive son and daughter of Ondo State on board for unity of purpose and enduring camaraderie.
“The APC is greater than any individual ambition. Discipline, loyalty, and fidelity to the party’s candidates remain the only acceptable path,” the party warned.
The statement quoted the chairman of the APC Reconciliation Committee in Ondo State, Honourable Biyi Poroye, as emphasising that in the prevailing spirit of genuine reconciliation, every true member must remain steadfastly committed to the doctrine, ethos, and electoral cause of the APC.
The APC said the committee issued what it called the unequivocal and uncompromising statement in the overriding interest of party discipline, institutional integrity, and the collective destiny of “our great party APC” in Ondo.
“The committee hereby serves formal notice that the APC shall neither condone nor tolerate any form of anti-party activity by any member, irrespective of status or previous contribution.
“Membership of the All Progressives Congress is a sacred covenant of loyalty, fidelity, and singular allegiance.
“Any member who has elected to abandon the platform of the APC to contest elective office under the banner of another political party has, by that singular act, irrevocably severed all relationship with our party.
“Such persons stand completely dissociated from the APC; they are no longer members in any form or residual capacity.”
The APC further warned that loyalty must be total; support for candidates flying the party’s flag is non-negotiable, while attendance at any clandestine meetings, consultations, or engagements with individuals who contested and lost under other platforms, or who have returned to contest against the APC, constitutes a grave breach of party discipline.
“Any member found wanting in this regard shall forfeit every privilege, recognition, and entitlement associated with membership of our great party.
“Such individuals shall be blacklisted as persons actively working against the collective interest of the APC and, by extension, against the interest of our presidential candidate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“There exists no moral or political justification for purporting to support the President, while simultaneously undermining the party’s candidates at other levels.
“Such duplicity is anathema to progressive politics and shall be treated as such.
“We, therefore, enjoin all members to remain 100 percent committed to the APC, and to eschew every manifestation of anti-party conduct.
“Those who have already departed to contest on rival platforms must cease the dangerous pretence of still advancing the interest of President Tinubu, while working subterraneously against APC candidates.
“Their membership has terminated; their residual claims to party affinity are null and void,” the party stressed.
The statement also disclosed that the committee has held fruitful reconciliation talks with the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, with him restarting his undisguised loyalty and commitment to the party as a principled politician and party man.
“In furtherance of its reconciliation mandate, the Committee held a constructive engagement with His Excellency, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
“The governor firmly maintained that he has never, throughout his political life, been involved in any form of anti-party activity.
“He recalled that he has remained a loyal member of one progressive platform- from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which metamorphosed into the All Progressives Congress- and categorically declared that he will neither join nor support any other political party, nor lend support to any individual who has left the APC to contest under a different platform,” it stated.
“The committee hereby assures all APC families across Ondo State that every outstanding issue will be resolved with the utmost urgency and fairness.
“The work of reconciliation continues apace as we labour to weld the party into a cohesive, purposeful force ahead of the general elections next year.“
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