An aspirant, Malam Saliu Mustapha, has promised to adopt preventive diplomacy in crisis management if elected the next national chairman of the party. He said this yesterday in Abuja at the APC Second Annual Public Lecture Summit, with the theme: “The APC beyond 2023”.
According to him, he would discourage a fire-brigade approach to party governance if voted, explaining that under his chairmanship, all plans and programmes of the APC would be well-thought-out, properly marshalled, strategically planned and thoroughly debated before implemented.
Mustapha, who was represented at the event by his political associate, Mr. Edwin Ogunbor, said the APC would continue its approach to politics with a defined culture and profound impact on the country’s development.
According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari is putting in place legacies that will cement the party’s name in Nigeria’s political history.
“For us, politics of development will be our focus. It is a new brand of political culture and ideology that places emphasis on smart and good politicking as essential tool for rapid national development.
“As APC Chairman, we intend to work for and pursue a larger leadership role for the youth, women and people living with Disabilities (PLWDs) in the party.
“We will adopt preventive diplomacy in crisis management. We will manage political crisis by preventing them.
“We will prevent crisis by constantly looking out for conventional and non-conventional triggers otherwise known as early warning signals across all strata of the party and nip them in the bud promptly and firmly before they degenerate.
“But in the event that conflicts still rear their heads in spite of all, we will be prepared with a bottoms-up dispute resolution mechanism that is independent, dependable, fair and inclusive,” he said.
He promised to build on the legacy of Gov. Mai Mala Buni-led National Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee, of the APC.
Mustapha said he would create and pursue a positive, consistent and confident public image for the party and government working with political office holders, especially in the run-up to the 2023 elections.
“We will institute a broad base, reward system that is independent and fair, in other words, under our leadership, the party will ensure that stakeholders get what they deserve at the federal level, through the state chapters.
“The party national secretariat will be reorganised into a more professional, discipline and adequately remunerated workforce, even as we will pursue an ethical and independent funding options for the administration of the party.
“We have done it before and if given the opportunity to lead the party in February 2021, we will replicate all these at a bigger stage,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Sunny Moniedafe, another aspirant promised to generate N5.4 billion annually if elected in the party’s February National Convention as its natural chairman.
He said he would achieve the feat from the monthly levies of N100 from each member of the party.
He added that apart from convincing the members of the party to pay the levies, he would also ensure thorough screening of candidates for ministerial positions.
He assured all that that under his watch, the APC National Working Committee (NWC) would hold annual party conferences, at both national and state levels.
“Word going round says that we have about 42 million members in the APC. If we can convince them to pay N100 per month, we will raise N4.2 billion, multiply that by 12 months, you will get N5.4 billion.
Describing himself as a detribalised Nigerian, Moniedafe, said “I am a youth pastor, but two of my brothers are Muslims.
“Under my watch, we will hold annual party conferences, at both national and state levels. We will push for the party to screen candidates for ministerial and commissioner positions.
“We will appoint and immediately swear in members of the caucus and elders forum at both national and state levels,” he said.
