Lagos State Political Front, a sociopolitical group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared the Governor’s Advisory Council ( GAC) as unknown the the party. In a press release today, the group said GAC is just an instrument in the hand of an individual which portends danger for the party. See full release below:
Our attention has been drawn to the ban of groups within Lagos State APC by a body that refers to itself as GAC( Governor’s Advisory Council).
The immediate thing that comes to mind with this dissolution of groups is to ignore the so called GAC as it has no relationship with APC as a political party.
On the second thought, ignoring the arrogance of such group may suggest it has power over the party ,APC, in Lagos State.
GAC is alien to the Constitution of APC and the shenanigans been displayed by the group is to expose itself to ridicule.
As its name implies, Governor’s advisory council , It should have limited itself to the function it gives itself, which is advising the governor of the state.
The literal explanation of the function is that whatever it,GAC, says is not binding on the governor, he may either take the advice or reject it.
For GAC to have gone to the extent of arrogating power to decide for the party is a drama taken too far.
How can a body that has no relevance by virtue of APC Constitution dissolve groups it did not form?
We may have to ask if the party in Lagos State has no chairman or State Executive council?
We are not unconscious of the deliberate but miscalculated attempt by one man to control the party ,most especially in Lagos State. Can a tree ever be referred to as a forest? No man is an island.
Lagos State has a constituted party executives or perhaps, two parallel excos. The one legally voted for by APC members in accordance with the Constitution of the Party, APC, 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (as altered) which recognises only 20 Local Government Councils in Lagos State, INEC guidelines that recognise only 20 Local Government Councils and the Guidelines for Congress released by APC National body. That is the Exco led by Ogbeni Fouad Alade Oki. The other Exco is led by Alhaji Tunde Balogun whose emergence as the party State Chairman was announced two days before the congress proper in the sitting room of a Lagos political tarantula.
Up till today, none of the two State Chairmen, to the best of our knowledge, has relinquished the position to the Lagos dictator.
It’s only the party state council that ought to dissolve groups if their existence seems to be inmical to the party’s unity. Even at that, the party Council can only persuade the groups to dissolve.
Section 40 of the 1999 CFRN (as altered) gives liberty to people to associate without any hindrance.
Several groups had existed in APC including BATCO, Ashiwaju Grassroot, Mandate, Justice Forum, Jagaban Fans Club (JFC) etc .
Why is the dissolution of the groups now? Why were they not dissolved when late Baba Okatunji Hamzat held sway as Justice Forum Chairman ?
Our stand is not to suggest we are in support of the emergence of anyone as the chairman of any group.
For us as law abiding citizens loyal to the constitutionally elected chairman of the Party in Lagos State, Ogbeni Fouad Alade Oki, dissolution of groups announced by GAC is a nullity and of no effect. It’s not binding on any person or group of persons in the party.
GAC has no relevance in the party as nothing in APC Constitution stipulates formation of a Governor’s Advisory Council. Section 1(3) of 1999 CFRN (as altered) is unambiguous. Any law or order or rule or guideline that goes against any provision of the Constitution is null and void. Therefore, the so- called dissolution of groups by GAC is a NULLITY. It should be treated with dishonour.
It will be proper to call on the so- called GAC members not to allow their names to be put into disrepute. It is clear that the so-called dissolution of groups was a unilateral decision of one man.
We wonder why the man that once said he has put his political gear on hold is arrogating power to himself as the de facto head of the party. May he be reminded that APC is an amalgamation of parties and groups. He should respect democratic norms and stop forcing his wish on the party faithfuls
otherwise ,his so-called political gear will be put on permanent reverse.
APC members in Lagos State must stand firm to make it a party truly and not a one-man show.
GAC should not exercise power it does not possess.
Signed:
Bakare Segun.
For : Lagos State Political front