The All Progressives Congress (APC) has clarified its zoning arrangement for the election of members of the party's National Working Committee (NWC). The clarification was made by the Chairman of the APC Convention Central Working Committee, Bello Masari, in response to allegations that some aspirants paid for forms for NWC positions but were denied access.
Masari emphasized that the APC is a responsible party that adheres to the federal character principle. He stated that all offices are zoned, and aspirants must buy forms only for the position set aside for their zone. The former Katsina State Governor warned that the party will not tolerate individuals who seek to create confusion by contesting for offices not zoned to their region.
The APC has distributed NWC members according to these zones, and Masari questioned the intentions of those contesting for offices outside their designated zones. He expressed suspicion that such individuals may be agents of destruction, which the party will not allow.
Meanwhile, about 8,453 delegates have arrived in Abuja for the 8th National Convention of the APC. The convention, which begins today, is expected to be transparent, according to the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee, Mohammed Idris.
The APC's zoning arrangement is a clear attempt to prevent the party from being hijacked by a particular group or individual. However, the party's stance raises questions about the level of democracy within its ranks. The fact that aspirants are being denied access to forms for positions outside their zones suggests that the party is more concerned with maintaining its existing power dynamics than with promoting true democracy. The APC's emphasis on federal character principle is also noteworthy, given the party's previous record on inclusivity and representation. The distribution of NWC members according to zones is a step in the right direction, but it remains to be seen whether this will translate into meaningful representation for all Nigerians. The convention's transparency pledge is also welcome, but it remains to be seen whether the party will follow through on its promises. As the APC navigates its internal power struggles, it is crucial that the party remains committed to its values of democracy and inclusivity.
