Weeks to the APC National Convention in February, Director-General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Salihu Lukman, has advised the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee to organise meetings of statutory organs of the party.

Lukman who made the call in Abuja on Wednesday said a stakeholders meeting is crucial before the February national convention where the party would elect a new set of substantive national officers.

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He said, “I want to appeal to party leaders again to prioritise the issue of relationship because the major challenge of politics in this country today is poor management of relationship among party leaders.

“This is creating a lot of internal crises and I believe that as we move towards the convention, we should resume meetings of statutory organs of the party because that will help a number of issues whether it is that of congresses or any other disagreement. One meeting can settle everything.

“Our leaders should be able to convene a meeting, possibly, a meeting of National Caucus or National Executive Committee, before the convention, on the basis of which we can begin to resume the process of reorganising ourselves and facing the challenge of providing leadership to this country as we move to 2023.”

He expressed belief that the PGF will continue to advocate a situation where APC politics remains issue-based and not personality-based.

The DG, however, expressed delight that the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee at the end of its meeting on Monday made a pronouncement to reinforce their commitment to the February date for the national convention.

“I am happy with the information we got from the media. The Caretaker Committee has confirmed that the convention is going to take place in February.

“My appeal is for the Caretaker Committee to remain proactive; certain issues should not be allowed to go into speculation. Information about the date of the convention, I think should be made public so that every party member knows when the convention is going to hold in February.

“We must commend the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni, for rising to that occasion and affirming that the February date is sacrosanct. So, party members should look forward to a specific date that will be announced by the Caretaker Committee,” he said.

On the electoral bill, Lukman said “I am not opposed to direct primaries, but there are some conditions which must be met for direct primaries to be able to provide the democratic platform that will confirm the voice of individual members of the party.

“Some of those conditions include the fact that the membership of the political party must be very clear; it should not be in dispute. In APC, we are very clear in terms of ensuring that we prioritise the question of developing the membership database of our party. That was why we went through the process of membership registration and revalidation.

“The next stage will be the question of internet within the party to ensure that every member of the party is aware of the records of members without any dispute.”

According to him, the whole debate about direct or indirect primaries is an APC issue.

He said, “To that extent, my position is to appeal to the leadership of the National Assembly to provide the necessary leadership so that we don’t muddle up issues.

“The issues that are necessary in the electoral act which are not contentious are issues of electronic transmission of results and all the other issues.

“I think they should work on it and submit it to Mr. President for assent. The other issues of direct primaries should go through the normal legislative process and if it is passed, so be it, so that we don’t throw the baby with the bath water.