Ajibulu Calls for Transparency in APC Registration Exercise

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Segun Ajibulu, has called for transparency and thoroughness in the ongoing membership registration and revalidation exercise put in place by the leadership of the party, noting that the idea behind the programme is still confusing.

Ajibulu admonished the party hierarchy to be painstakingly honest in the exercise and avoid any foul play that could rob the party of its bright chances in future elections.

Speaking from his base in America, the former Commissioner in Ekiti State Pension Commission, Ajibulu, said the conduct of the exercise at this time kept so many party members in doubt of its necessity, noting that a registration and revalidation exercise in a ruling party is seemingly needless at this time.

Chief Ajibulu is of the opinion that revalidation and registration of party members should be a continuum and not compressed into a two-week exercise.

“It is still baffling how we arrived at this registration and revalidating exercise which portend a situation where those of us in the diaspora are seemingly cut off from party membership. I still worry about what our party stands to gain in an exercise which seems to be saying that after the two weeks of registration and revalidation, the chance to admit members into the APC shall seize.

“One will expect a situation that the party will throw the exercise open in such a way that the party can admit as well as expunge members at any point in time,” he said.

Ajibulu further said that the information churned out, preparatory to the exercise was scanty, stressing that the reason and significance of the exercise ought to be clearly spelt out for members to be adequately acquainted with why they have to undergo the lingering stress, even in the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Available information we have now is that there will be a new registration of members. We are still at loss as to why the exercise. This is a question that is begging for answer from the APC national secretariat: what are we going to gain from this self-imposed rigour and of what democratic value will it be to our party.

“I think it is never too late if the Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), of the national secretariat can still enlighten us adequately on this,” he said.

He further stressed that the journey towards a transparent and honest congresses and the national convention, as assured by the party’s incumbent caretakers, can only be measured by the level of transparency they put to bear in the ongoing registration exercise.

“I am sending a firm warning to our party that the bright chances awaiting the party in coming elections should not be muzzled on the altar of petty and parochial politicking. We should be cautious and be very painstaking in affairs that directly involve the generality of members, so we don’t by ourselves rescue defeat from the mouth of glaring victory,” he said.

The registration of new members and update of register of the APC has been ongoing across the country.

John Akpanudoedehe, Secretary of APC’s Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), had said; “we have recognised the need for continued conflict resolution and have decided to vigorously pursue reconciliation on all fronts in order to emerge as a stronger party, ahead of the congresses and the 2023 general elections.

Mr Akpanudoedehe added that the party’s CECPC was fully prepared to conduct total congresses at all levels, through a fair and transparent process of electing officials for its various organs.

This, he said, would culminate in the party’s national convention.

The CECPC secretary added that the committee was working to create a member-centered party structure that would guarantee full participation of all and accord privileges to strengthen APC members’ trust, beliefs and engagements in all its activities.

Mr Akpanudoedehe stressed that the committee was rebuilding the party to strengthen democracy, assuring that its commitment to leading the process of political change in the country was unwavering.