The ruling All Progressives Congress Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) has warned that all parallel congresses will be an exercise in futility.
The warning comes ahead of the party’s Saturday ward congresses across the country.
The CECPC in a statement by its national secretary, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe also declared that the big stick would be wielded against those forming parallel congresses and parallel party secretariats.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the party shall deploy the full weight of the law as stiputated in section 21 (D) of our party’s Constitution on any one who perpetrates such unlawful act(s) and also on their sponsors,” the statement read partly.
It added, “All activities or processes leading up to the congresses and thereafter which do not have the approval of the CECPC are exercises in futility. This is to say that: any purported parallel congress, parallel party organ and or parallel party office, is to say the least a nullity. These divisive activities will not be tolerated.”
The Committee also told party members to withdraw any pending litigation they may have instituted against the party and desist from such forthwith until they have exhausted all internal mechanisms for conflict resolution.
“It is important that the attention of all party faithfuls be called to the NEC resolution of 8th December, 2020, which subsists and extends to the conduct of party members during the congresses.
“For purposes of clarity, may I re-state the relevant point in the resolution to wit:
“All pending litigations instituted by members against the party should be withdrawn forthwith, and going forward, no member should institute matters against the party, without exhausting the Internal mechanism for conflict resolution, as enshrined in the party’s constitution.”
It also clarified that, “All persons who are affected by Article 31 of our Constitution should apply for waivers as stipulated under sub. Section 3 of the said Article 31, this is also clearly spelt out in the “special provisions” of our guidelines.”
