Malam Salihu Lukman, the National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North-West, has criticized the party’s National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, for allegedly taking decisions without consulting the National Working Committee (NWC) and avoiding financial transparency.
According to Lukman, Adamu has not provided an up-to-date account of the APC’s finances, including billions of naira generated from the sale of nomination and expression of interest forms during the recent 2023 general elections. This latest accusation follows similar claims by Lukman last year, ahead of the APC Convention, where he faulted Adamu for excluding NWC members from decision-making processes.
In a statement titled “APC and Questions of Progressive Credentials,” Lukman asserts that APC staff at the party secretariat are hired and fired at the whim of the national chairman, without any input from other party organs, including the NWC. He warns that this situation could lead to the downfall of the party’s leadership, similar to previous administrations led by Adams Oshiomhole and Mai Mala Buni.
Lukman’s statement raises concerns about the APC’s financial transparency and internal governance, as he reveals that many party members who served on various committees during the 2023 elections have not received their allowances. Additionally, aspiring contestants who stepped down to facilitate consensus during the March 28, 2022, National Convention have yet to receive refunds for the cost of their nomination forms.
These accusations come one month after Yekini Nabena, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, called on the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to investigate the alleged financial impropriety and fund mismanagement within the party. Nabena also urged the president-elect, Bola Tinubu, to dissolve the current NWC, claiming that none of its members deserves to be retained.
However, when contacted for comment, Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, declined to provide any response. Similarly, the APC Director of Media and Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, could not be reached for comment.
The ongoing internal conflicts within the APC over financial transparency and decision-making processes have the potential to further destabilize the party and undermine its credibility in the eyes of the Nigerian public.
As the allegations of financial impropriety and unilateral decision-making within the APC continue to unfold, it is essential for the party to address these concerns swiftly and transparently. A failure to do so may not only weaken the party’s internal structure but also erode the trust of its supporters and the wider Nigerian public.
To mitigate these issues, the APC may consider taking several steps:
- Establish a transparent financial reporting system: The party should implement a system where regular financial reports are shared with relevant organs, including the NWC, to ensure that all party members are informed about the party’s financial status.
- Improve internal communication and collaboration: The APC should foster a culture of open dialogue, where all members of the NWC and other party organs are included in decision-making processes to prevent unilateral actions by individual leaders.
- Strengthen the party’s constitution and adherence to it: By ensuring that the party’s constitution is followed and respected, the APC can prevent arbitrary decisions that may create internal conflicts and dissatisfaction among members.
- Involve external oversight bodies: The APC could engage with external oversight organizations, such as the EFCC, to conduct independent audits of the party’s finances and ensure compliance with financial regulations.
- Promote a culture of accountability: The party should encourage its leaders to act responsibly and transparently, holding them accountable for their actions and decisions to maintain the trust of party members and the public.
By addressing these internal governance issues and promoting financial transparency, the APC can work towards rebuilding its credibility and fostering a more stable and united party structure.
