……. Publishes Open Letter to Mr. President
Some youths of Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Monday September 4th 2023, staged a peaceful protest against the continued appointment of known PDP members in the State into key government positions by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that it was against the party’s constitution.
The youths who released to the press , an open letter to President Tinubu where they relayed several concerns about how the Nigeria’s President had abandoned the State Party structure in favour of the PDP, said it had become imperative to speak up less they die in silence .
“Recent developments have seen appointments made in favor of members of the PDP leaving our teeming supporters and Party faithfuls nonplussed and extremely perturbed. Sir, it is important to take a look at the provisions in our parties constitution: Article 9 (3) (iii) of the APC constitution states as follows “APC-led Governments at all levels shall accord qualified members of the party priority in appointments to positions in ministries, departments and agencies.”
As loyal party members of the APC who have paid our dues and made enormous sacrifices for the Party at different times right from its formative stages up till the general elections that ushered in the Your government, we find this situation utterly worrisome, especially, in light of our Party’s misfortunes in the State which is very much known to the President.”
In the Letter, amongst other things , they drew the attention of Nigeria’s President to the provisions of Article 9 (3) (iii) of the APC constitution which states as follows “APC-led Governments at all levels shall accord qualified members of the party priority in appointments to positions in ministries, departments and agencies.”
They questioned the place of loyalty in party politics since non-party members are been rewarded for doing little or nothing for the party since its formation in 2013, following the merger of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) , Congress For Progressive Change ( CPC) , All Nigerian People Party ( ANPP) , All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) New Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP).
“We consider these nominations and appointments grossly offensive and a clear disregard to the sensibilities of our teeming loyal supporters as well as a threat to the continual survival of our Party as they tend to further arm the PDP against the APC in Rivers State. This is not only capable of weakening the Party further in the State, but also undermines party loyalty and commitment.
“While we agree that Your Excellency has the prerogative of deciding who to appoint into any position you deem fit, we are appealing to you, Sir, Mr. President to exercise such powers considerately in fairness to members of his Party in Rivers State.
Sir, It is our belief that you can find eminently experienced and highly qualified individuals in the Party in Rivers State who can occupy such exalted position or any other position without jeopardizing his renewed hope agenda. Therefore, we appeal to you, Mr. President, to look within and pick a member of our Party for such appointment in line with Article 9 (3) (iii) of the APC constitution.”
While reminding the President how APC members were maimed and killed in the State for identifying with the party, sitting instance of over 1,500 members who have been killed across the State between 2015 till date .
“Sir, we are amazed that under our government, card-carrying members of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Rivers State are being appointed and nominated into Federal Boards, Parastatals and Agencies at the detriment of our party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers State. This is a party that has severally suffered the high-handedness of the PDP and its leaders in the State who committed every resource at their disposal against us. This actions over the years, have caused us pain, agony, and loss. Most recently, we lost our fellow party member Chiosom Lennard during his attempt to defend the mandate of OUR great party from the hands of overzealous members of the opposition; properties damaged, and dreams shattered all because we stood for this party. DID WE MAKE A MISTAKE?”
They also re-affirmed their total support for His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of our Party, the All Progressives Congress, APC . Expressing their total confidence in Tinubu’s ability to lead the nation well and uphold the internal mechanisms that allow for a functional and robust Party across the 36 States and the FCT.
