…URGES BUHARI TO LISTEN TO TWO SIDES OF CECPC STORY
The Chief whip of the Senate, Sentor Orji Uzor Kalu, has denied an allegation by a former Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum Dr. Salihu Lukman, that he connived with the Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Mai Mala Buni to undermine the March 26 national convention of the party.
Kalu denied ever participating in any collusion to frustrate the National Convention of the ruling party in a statement on Saturday.
The former Abia Governor also urged the President to listen to the two sides of the story involving the leadership of the APC in the interest of the party.
Kalu said that the impression the former DG of the Progressives Governors Forum, Lukman, was trying to create was indeed erroneous.
Kalu recalled that he appealed to the leadership of the CECPC on December 15, 2021 to postpone the national convention earlier scheduled for February in the pursuit of party cohesion.
According to him, he had warned that holding the convention in February without sorting out the “minor disagreements that arose during the Congress would lead to implosion .’
He said, “I have read the unfortunate accusations leveled against me by a former Director-General of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Dr. Salihu Lukman .
“In a statement credited to Lukman , he alleged that some party leaders are working with the Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Mai Mala Buni to undermine the March 26 national convention of the party.
“He specifically said “there are other party leaders, including Sen Uzor Kalu who have actively supported His Excellency Mai Mala to undermine the decision to organise the National Convention of the party.”
“It is on this note that I consider it necessary to correct the wrong impressions Lukman must be making efforts to create.
“There has been no time I participated in any collaboration or collusion to ensure that attempts to organise the APC National Convention are blocked.
“It will be recalled that on the December 15, 2021 , I made an appeal to the party and the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee members to consider postponing the national convention earlier slated for February.
“I had warned that holding the convention in February without sorting out the minor disagreements that arose during the Congress would lead to implosion .
“I was worried that , the creation of factions which denied the party victory in so many states in the past elections may repeat itself. I therefore called for a peaceful resolution of the crisis before holding the Convention. No peaceful and tactful leader, would support a terrible scenario to reoccur.”
Kalu commended Buni for his exploits in the APC saying his sterling leadership quality stabilised the party across the six geopolitical zones, with high profile defections on its favour.
“It is imperative to state that Buni has done very well for the party . His sterling leadership quality is what helped stabilise our great party across the six geopolitical zones, with high profile defections in our favour .”
He called on party leaders to guard their utterances to avoid causing more division within the party.
Kalu who said that there are always two sides to a story urged the President Buhari to listen to the two stories involving the leadership of the APC in the interest of the party,
“Going forward, whether it is Gov Mai Mala Buni or Gov Abubakar Sani Bello, I would always give the party my maximum support and drive for stronger growth.
“There is always a danger with single story and I encourage Mr President to hear the two sides of the story so that the party can win together.” He said