The Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it will be going ahead with its congresses despite the minority judgement given in Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s victory at the Supreme Court.
It was reported that the dissenting judgement given after Akeredolu won by a narrow-split decision of 4:3 in the seven-man panel of justices, centred on the legitimacy of Governor Mai Mala Buni as the All Progressives Congress (APC) national caretaker chairman.
Justice Mary Peter Odili who delivered the lead judgement had disclosed that the APC, by Article 17(4) of its constitution outlined how its affairs should be managed and what offices its members could occupy at a time.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, John Akpanudoedehe, national secretary of the APC caretaker committee said the apex court’s verdict on Ondo gubernatorial poll has no bearing on the CECPC’s status and its membership.
He urged party members and aspirants to come out en masse and peacefully to participate in the ward Congresses on Monday, July 31.
Akpanudoedehe said “The clarification is against the backdrop of personal opinions being expressed by some individuals on the status of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) and its capacity to conduct the Congresses. While it is not our intention to join issues with these commentators, the Supreme Court’s Wednesday judgement affirming the Election victory of the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu SAN had no bearing on the CECPC’s status and its membership. Therefore, party members and aspirants should come out en masse and peacefully to participate in the ward Congresses come Saturday.”