The Director General of the Progressives Governors Forum , Dr Salihu Lukman , on Thursday , described members of the All Progressives Congress opposed to the planned membership registration and revalidation exercise , as political bandits who were desperate to install surrogate leaders .
Lukman said this , in response to threats by party supporters under the aegis of Concerned APC members , to take legal action should the Mai Mala Buni – led Caretaker/ Extra – Ordinary Convention Planning Committee , proceed with the registration exercise .
Spokesman of the C – APC , Abdullahi Dauda , had in an interview with The PUNCH, revealed plans by members of the group to approach the courts to seek a judicial interpretation of Article 17 (4 ), of the APC Constitution 2004 (As amended ), which he said forbade party members from holding two elective offices simultaneously.
He said , “ The plan to hold a fresh membership registration is certainly not part of the mandate given to the committee, we don ’t expect the committee to stay in office beyond December, 2020 , if it does , we will have to approach the courts . ”
Speaking in a similar vein , the former Senator representing Zamfara Central , Kabiru Marafa, who is a factional leader of the APC in Zamfara State , said , “ The Buni committee should carry out its assignment in line with the six months mandate or quit for allow others who can do the job . ”
However , in a statement titled , “ Campaign against Membership Registration in APC : A Smokescreen for Surrogate Leadership , ” in Abuja , Lukman , said claims by some members that the mandate given to the Buni committee didn ’ t include membership registration , were being dishonest .
He said , “ In this age of banditry , it will appear that some of our so- called leaders are as skillful in politics as the criminal bandits ravaging our communities – towns and villages .