President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja advised members of the governing party, All Progressives Congress (APC), to withdraw all pending litigations against one another.
This is coming amidst various rifts within the party, instigated by the various factions.
The ongoing rift has seen the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, defect to the opposition People’s Democratic Party.
Furthermore, the National Party Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, was suspended for his role in the feud.
Now, the president is calling on members of the part to settle their beef, as it could lead to self-destruction, with dire consequences.
President Buhari made this remarks at the emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee of the APC held on a virtual platform.
“Fellow party members, this is a very crucial moment in the life of our party and it is with a deep sense of concern that I stand before you today to speak as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who has been elected on the platform of our great party – the All Progressives Congress,” Femi Adesina quoted Buhari as saying in a statement he released.
“The issues currently confronting our party at this time are such that should worry every party member.
“At the moment, our great party is faced with internal wrangling; there are on-going litigations amongst some party members and we cannot clearly ascertain the status of certain National Working Committee (NWC) members.
“There are also other associated disputes as to the legitimacy or otherwise of holders of certain National Offices of the Party.
“The Party is also contending with Judicial claims and counter-claims, Orders and Counter-Orders and indeed Judgments and Counter-Judgments that are predominantly at cross-purposes.
“Confronted with these issues, it is obvious that the fortunes of the party are currently in jeopardy, administration of our party is becoming impossible and there is consequently an urgent need for intervention to immediately arrest further drifts and internal wrangling which may lead to total disintegration.
“What we see clearly emerging, is that we are beginning to self-destruct. This, my dear party members, is not just regrettable but utterly gut-wrenching.
He urged party members to forthwith discontinue the ongoing ‘litigation’ and chaos surrounding the Edo primary elections.
“We must be alive to the time and the task that is before us.
“As we all know, we are immediately confronted with the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo States. Therefore, this is the time to get our acts together.
’’The emergency NEC meeting adopted all the recommendations by President Buhari, and appointed the Governor of Yobe State, Mallam Mai Buni, as Caretaker National Chairman, while Senator John Akpanudoede was designated Caretaker National Secretary.