'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will be held on September 12th, subject to the approval of President Bola Tinubu. This was revealed by the party's Deputy National Secretary, Barr. Festus Fuanter, during a press briefing today.
According to Fuanter, the NEC meeting will be preceded by a caucus meeting on September 11th, setting the stage for a crucial gathering of party leaders. The meeting is expected to address key party issues, shape the APC's future direction, and take decisions that will impact the party's trajectory.
While Fuanter also addressed the ongoing crisis in the Rivers State executive committee, he emphasized that the NEC meeting is a significant event in the party's calendar. The meeting will bring together top party officials, governors, and stakeholders to discuss pressing matters and make decisions that will drive the party forward.
On the crisis rocking the Rivers state chapter of the party, he described it as a "total abuse of court process." Fuanter explained that Beke's executive was initially sacked by a court judgment, leading to the establishment of a caretaker committee. However, Beke obtained another judgment reinstating his executive without waiting for the appeal on his initial sack.
The NWC has reiterated its recognition of the Okocha-led caretaker committee, pending the outcome of Beke's appeal. Fuanter emphasized that the party will appeal the judgment that reinstated Beke's executive, citing the principle of "first in time matters."
"You may recall that recently there was a judgement that reinstated Emeka Beke led executive at the detriment of the caretaker committee that was set up by the party.
"It will interest all of you that before that judgement there was a judgement that sacked Emeka Beke led executive which gave rise to the caretaker committee and the matter is pending before the Appeal Court, he did not wait to prosecute his own case at the appellate court but went to institute another case where he got the judgement. As far as the NWC is concerned this is a total abuse of court process, we are still waiting for his appeal at the appellate level on his sack.
"Subsequent on that detail and fact, we deliberated on the matter at the NWC and in view of his appeal on the first matter, we reiterating that we are still recognising the Okocha led caretaker committee and so until his appeal is listened to and we also have appealled the judgement that he has secured and it is a known elementary law that first in time matters" he concluded.
With the NEC meeting just around the corner, party members and stakeholders are eagerly anticipating the outcomes and decisions that will emerge from the gathering. As the APC continues to navigate internal conflicts and external challenges, the September 12th NEC meeting is poised to be a pivotal moment in the party's history.
Other NWC members of the APC at press briefing today include: the National Organising Secretary, Suleiman Argungu; National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel; National Leader, PWDs Tolu Bankole; Vice Chairman, South South and North East; Victor Gaidom and Mustapha Saliu respectively.
