Why We Demanded N6 billion From Our Governors For National Convention - APC | CNR
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| President Mohammadu Buhari and APC National Chairman, John Oyegun |
The All Progressives Congress, APC on Saturday explained why it asked states governors elected on the platform of the party to make a compulsory contribute of N6 billion for the party's upcoming congress and convention.
It has been reported earlier the party at a meeting earlier this week requested members of APC Governors Forum to the huge sum for party's upcoming congress despite owing salaries of workers in their states.
A breakdown of the amount show that each of the 25 APC governors is to pay N250 million from their state treasury into their party's coffers.
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The revelation has attracted public criticism to the move with many questioning the ruling party's claim to fight against corruption when it is encouraging official corruption among state governors elected on its platform, many of whom civil servants in their states have gone several months without pay.
But the party's spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Saturday claimed media reports about the issue misrepresented the party and offered clarification.
He said governors were asked to pay their outstanding party levies, but suggested some governors may be owing as much as N250 million.
The revelation has attracted public criticism to the move with many questioning the ruling party's claim to fight against corruption when it is encouraging official corruption among state governors elected on its platform, many of whom civil servants in their states have gone several months without pay.
But the party's spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Saturday claimed media reports about the issue misrepresented the party and offered clarification.
He said governors were asked to pay their outstanding party levies, but suggested some governors may be owing as much as N250 million.
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At the meeting of the National Working Committee and the governors of the party held at the party secretariat on Thursday 26 April, it was pointed out that many of the governors have fallen behind in the payment of their party dues.
“While some of the governors have been up-to-date with the payments, a few others have not paid at all. The governors were therefore requested to pay up, especially in view of upcoming party activities.
“It is therefore possible that a governor that falls in the category of those that has not paid since inception could be owing up to N250 million,” Mr Abdullahi said in a statement.
At the meeting of the National Working Committee and the governors of the party held at the party secretariat on Thursday 26 April, it was pointed out that many of the governors have fallen behind in the payment of their party dues.
“While some of the governors have been up-to-date with the payments, a few others have not paid at all. The governors were therefore requested to pay up, especially in view of upcoming party activities.
“It is therefore possible that a governor that falls in the category of those that has not paid since inception could be owing up to N250 million,” Mr Abdullahi said in a statement.
He continued: “For avoidance of doubts, party dues are paid by all members of the party holding positions, either by election or appointment. Therefore, members of the National Assembly as well as cabinet ministers also remit a percentage of their earnings to the party", Mr. Abdullahi said in defense of the party's move to source N250 million from each of their 25 state governors.
The party's eventual clarification is coming following several media reports of the action which triggered criticism and public outrage.
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