APC Crisis: Nasarawa State, Not Tinubu Has Right To Pick Adamu’s Successor

Former National Vice Chairman (North-west) of the All Progressives Congress (APC),  Salihu Lukman, has said President Bola Tinubu has no right to nominate anyone to replace the former APC Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu.

He submitted that section 31.5 of the APC Constitution empowers the Nasarawa State Executive Committee to nominate Adamu’s replacement.

Naija News reported on Wednesday that Lukman, who is seen as a controversial figure, resigned from the APC’s highest administrative office.

His resignation letter addressed to the Acting National Chairman of party, Senator Abubakar Kyari was dated July 26, 2023.

Lukman said he resigned because the atmosphere in the party was at variance with the vision of its founding fathers.

He said he opted to throw in the towel rather than remain in the party to continue his agitation and be seen as a distraction.

The APC chieftain, in a statement titled “Resignation from APC NWC: Explanatory Note” on Thursday said Tinubu has no rights whatsoever to pick Adamu’s replacement.

Recall that Adamu and the former National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore, resigned from the NWC last week.

They were subsequently replaced in acting capacities by the former Deputy Chairman (North), Abubakar Kyari, and Festus Fuanter, respectively.

Following the development, speculations emerged that the President anointed former Governor of Kano State, Umar Ganduje, as national chairman and Bashir Ajibola as national secretary.

Ganduje, on Wednesday, bagged the endorsement of the APC Chairmen in the seven North-west states.

Meanwhile, Lukman, in his fresh statement, explained that “No section of the APC constitution gives anyone, including President Asiwaju Tinubu, the power to act in any contrary way. Therefore, if this provision of the APC constitution is to be respected, Nasarawa State Executive Committee of the APC, which is where Sen. Adamu comes from, should have the right to propose a replacement, which should be endorsed by the State Congress and the Zonal Executive Committee.

“In the event of vacancy, the office shall be filled as follows: i. In the case of a National/Zonal Officer, the State Executive Committee shall propose a replacement to the State Congress and Zonal Executive Committee for endorsement. Thereafter, the name shall be sent to the National Working Committee, which shall forward same to the National Executive Committee for approval.” 

Speaking further, Lukman said “The dominant view among leaders is that once President Asiwaju Tinubu has decided on an issue, we should just simply work for its success even with all the legal and moral questions.

“If Osun State is debating possible replacement of Sen. Omisore for the position of National Secretary of APC in line with provisions of our party’s constitution, why is Nasarawa State not treated in the same way? Why the double standards? I wish I can pretend to be dumb and blind on these issues.”