The All Progressives Congress (APC), North Central Critical Stakeholder Forum, has advised the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) to resist temptations to shift dates of the congresses from ward to the state level as announced in the released timetable, under any guise.

The forum also said there was a need for the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to meet on the recent extension of the tenure of the CECPC by President Muhammadu Buhari, to legitimise its operations.

The forum made the calls at a news conference addressed by its leader, Sani Salisu on Thursday in Abuja.

“Though the extension of the tenure of the CECPC has become imperative, we make bold to say it can only be legitimate by a resolution of the NEC.

“Therefore, we call for an immediate convening of a NEC meeting to ratify the extension of the committee’s tenure and approve the timelines for congresses and national convention.

“It is imperative for this to be done so that our party does not face any legal conundrum over the conduct of the congresses,’’ Mr Salisu said.

He also urged the CECPC to summon a meeting of the party’s National Caucus, as a prelude to the NEC meeting in line with Article 12.5 of the APC amended Constitution.

According to him, it is the tradition of the APC to hold an expanded national caucus meeting before the NEC meeting.

He said that all hands must be on deck to forge a common ground ahead of the party’s proposed National Convention.

Mr Salisu also cautioned the party’s leadership to ensure that those defecting from opposition political parties abide by its progressive ideology.

He said the party should be careful not to lose its ideological focus in the wake of the defection.

“The influx of opposition governors and chieftains into our party has no doubt bolstered our base and the Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) deserves a pat on the back for this.

“But we must be careful not to lose the ideological focus of our party in the wake of defection.

“Defectors must be willing and made to abide by the progressive ideology of the party rooted in good governance and accountability, for which it is renowned,’’ Mr Salisu said.

Mr Salihu, who is a former Commissioner for Information in Kogi, commended the party’s CECPC for the success of its recently concluded nationwide membership registration and revalidation exercise.

(NAN)