There are strong indications that the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress will meet on Monday to discuss statements credited to the Minister of Women Affairs, Senator Aisha Alhassan, as regards the 2019 presidential election.
Besides discussing the minister’s declaration of support for former VP Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition, the NWC would also deliberate on a statement credited to Atiku himself.
Alhassan had, in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service on Wednesday, said she was ready to support the former vice-president against President Muhammadu Buhari if they both choose to run for the 2019 presidential election.
She also said she respected Buhari, but Atiku remained her godfather.
Alhassan, in the interview, also confirmed her statements in a leaked video, where she endorsed the former vice-president in a private meeting with him.
Atiku, had on the Hausa Service of Voice of America, said that the APC sidelined him after helping it to win the 2015 elections.
It was learnt that the National Working Committee would deliberate on these issues in Abuja on Monday with a view to resolving them.
This development was confirmed by the APC National Vice Chairman, North-East, Mustapha Salihu, in a telephone interview with Punch in Abuja on Friday.
He explained that the issue at stake was a national one, which the party’s NWC would look into.
He stated, “This is a national issue. I think by Monday, we will sit and we will address the matter, but I can assure you that there is no cause for alarm. Our party is intact and on ground.”
…I stand by what I said – Atiku
In response, Atiku who spoke through the Head of the Atiku Media Office, Mazi Paul Ibe, said he stood by what he said.
Ibe said, “His Excellency, Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar stands by what he said. There is no point beating about the bush, how can anyone equate a private meeting with a meeting of party organs?
“When was the last time the party organs held any meeting? Has the Board of Trustees or what they call the Elders’ Council been inaugurated? When was the last time stakeholders and party leaders invited him to a meeting? The Wazirin Adamawa spoke as a lover of this country, democracy and the party.
“People who are not too conversant with history as far as democracy is concerned in this country may cast aspersions on the former Vice- President for stating the obvious. The party should do the needful.”
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