Cracks in APC NWC as Lukman queries Adamu over proceeds from sales of forms

Salihu Lukman, vice-chairman of the All Progressives
Congress (APC) in the north-west, says Abdullahi Adamu, national chairman,
should account for the billions of naira that accrued to the party from the
sales of forms.

In the build-up to the party’s presidential primary
election, at least 20 hopefuls purchased the expression of interest and
nomination forms worth N100 million.

The party also raked in money from the sales of national
assembly, governorship, and the house of assembly forms.

In an article on Monday titled “APC and Questions of
Progressive Credentials”, Lukman said all decisions on the finances of the
party were taken by Adamu and Iyiola Omisore, national secretary.

The vice-chairman said the national working committee (NWC)
members have been reduced to “rubber stamps”.

“Critical functions of the NEC, which include approving the
national budget of the party as provided in Article 13.3A(xiv) of the Party’s
Constitution is simply ignored,” he said.

“Further, Article 13.3A(xv) of the party’s constitution
directed the NWC to give quarterly financial reports to NEC. Also, Article
13.4(ii) directs the NWC to present reports and Article 13.4(iv) compels the
NWC to present financial reports on the income and expenditure of the party.

 “All these have been
ignored. Yet, it is public knowledge that the party has earned billions of
naira in revenue from sales of forms to aspiring contestants for the 2023
general elections.

“We are yet to, as NWC, declare to any organ of the party
how much we inherited from His Excellency Mai Mala-led caretaker committee and
how much was received as donations and contributions for the 2023 elections.

“Large-scale expenditures, which include the renovation of
the National Secretariat complex are being undertaken without any organ of the
party exercising the powers of due diligence.

“As a member of the NWC, I can say without fear of
contradiction, all decisions bordering on managing the finances of the party
are being taken by the national chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, and the
national secretary, Sen. Iyiola Omisore.

 “Once the party’s
constitution is no longer the guide for managing the affairs of the party,
discretionary decisions of leaders take over. Consequently, even what gets paid
to party officials and organs becomes acts of benevolence by the national
chairman or anyone he delegates.”