Reconciliation in Motion: Tinubu's Next Steps for APC Unity

•Benjamin Kalu and others avoid the meeting as the NEC votes in Tinubu.

• Morka asserts that El-Rufai's resentment-based remarks are not credible.

Abuja's Adedayo Akinwale

The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NEC) has been instructed by President Bola Tinubu to form committees aimed at bringing the party's disgruntled members together.

The decision was issued by the president during the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which took place in Abuja on Wednesday.

Former Senate President Ahmed Lawan, former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-rufai, former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, former President Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, and others were noticeably absent from the meeting.

They were anticipated to be present since they were statutory members of the party's NEC. Their absence, though, may have something to do with the rift inside the ruling party.

El-Rufai had been furious with the party's leadership, particularly after they refused to call a NEC meeting for eighteen months.

Additionally, the former governor has attacked the Tinubu-led administration's policies.

President Tinubu praised the party's NEC for their excellent work.

"I am happy with the National Working Committee, and they are doing a good job," he said.

"Let's establish committees for reconciliation in each state to communicate with these resentful leaders. I'm pleading with them to remain composed.

"I am happy to see so many Nigerians joining us in the National Assembly, and I am thankful to all Nigerians for our electoral victories from state to state."

The president went on to say that he was pleased to see food prices declining, especially during this Ramadan season.

"Economic shocks are occurring everywhere in the world, but particularly in Europe, and we are doing everything we can."

Along with promising the governors and Nigerians that he would continue to implement these progressive reforms, he challenged the NEC to find a way to honor the progressive principles of his administration.

Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the party's national chairman, stated that the ruling party has started a tremendous effort to bring resentful party members together and that the action is progressively producing the intended favorable outcomes for the party.

He claims that in order to address any remaining issues among our members, "we have started high-level talks among party leaders and other stakeholders through dialogue." This will be expanded upon by the conflict reconciliation committee that you are about to authorize.

Ganduje emphasized that expanding the party's membership base was another commitment the National Working Committee (NWC) was keeping.

"We have prominent politicians from various political parties joining us today, including Senator Obinna Ogba, Senator Uche Ekwunife from Anambra State, Edwin Nkwegu, a former candidate for governor of Ebonyi State from the Labour Party, and thousands of their supporters," he continued. "We have in our fold the former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim."

During the meeting, Imo State Senator Hope Uzodimma proposed and Senator Adams Oshiomhole seconded a resolution to give a vote of confidence in Tinubu.

By 2:26 p.m., House of Representatives member Patrick Ndubeze made the motion to adjourn indefinitely, and Jigawa State Governor Umar Namadi seconded it.

NEC members in attendance included the governors of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia; Edo, Monday Okpebholo; Ondo, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Ekiti, Biodun Oyebanji; Kaduna, Musa Sani; Nasarawa State, Abdulahi Sule; Yobe, Mai Mala Buni; Kogi, Usman Ododo; Ogun, Dapo Abiodun; and Niger Mohammed Umar Bago, among others.

Among the previous governors present were Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Atiku Bagudu, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Zamfara Bello Mattawalle, and Yahaya Bello of Kogi.

Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Kalu, former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, and other key National Assembly officials, including ministers, were also in attendance.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Felix Morka, the party's National Publicity Secretary, told reporters that the NEC had approved the party's zoning of the chairperson position to the northwest.

Mai Mala Buni, the governor of Yobe State, will serve as the chair of a seven-member group tasked with expanding the party's NEC, he added.

Speaking on El-Rufai's recent attacks on the party and Tinubu's government, Morka advised him to respect his position as a former governor and minister, stating that if he keeps up his rhetoric, people have the right to respond as well.

He stated that all of the party's organs are operational, in contrast to El-Rufai's assertions.

"Every organ of the party is operating," Morka said. According to the former Kaduna State governor, there is a distinction between party men and those who speak out out of personal grievance. Commentaries that are motivated by grievances should not be regarded seriously. All of the statements made it abundantly evident that the former governor has a grievance.

However, I was ready to address the former governor during today's meeting and advise him that, for someone in his position in this nation, some of his recent commitments are superfluous.

Men who receive respect must also keep defending their status. It is not a good idea to take your personal issues to a political party's structure if you are unhappy, especially when it comes to personal experiences.

"El-Rufai is a single individual. Indeed, he has served as a governor and a minister. In the end, he is only one member of the party system, even though he has been up there. Although he is a well-respected citizen, I would advise him to speak in a way that is appropriate for his position. Otherwise, others have the right to respond if he keeps talking.

"As far as I know, I have never known a caucus meeting of our party or NEC meeting of our party to be attended 100% by all of the members of NEC or caucus, and I am not sure that there is really any political party where you have 100% attendance for such meetings," he said in reference to the absence of some leaders.

According to him, the president's busy schedule determines when the party has its NEC.

"Don't worry, all of the NEC and Caucus members were invited. Today's membership list was extensive. In actuality, we expanded the list for today's meeting. "We invited more members than we did before," he said.