BEVERLY HILLS, February 15, (THEWILL) – The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has called for the immediate cancellation of the ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) membership registration and revalidation exercise in Kwara state.
Mohammed’s views were, however, quickly countered by the State Chairman of APC, Mr. Abdullahi Samari, who issued a statement to validate the exercise.
The Minister made his own call for the cancellation in Kwara State, while addressing journalists after his APC membership revalidation at Oro Ward 2 Polling Unit 006, Ile Onikoyi.
But Samari said the fact that the registration of the Minister went smoothly showed that the exercise was peaceful and all-encompassing.
The Minister who reeled out several allegations said the registration officials failed to consult with relevant stakeholders before the commencement of the membership registration, and the exercise had been marred by irregularities.
He submitted: “The guidelines are also clear on how registration materials are to be handed over and distributed. It says officials for the assignment are prohibited from handing over registration forms, other materials inclusive of registration data in a manner not prescribed by the exercise to unauthorised persons, and that the materials (forms, registers, and others) are to be distributed directly to the Registration Officers, and records of the distribution area to be captured and reported accordingly.”
Mohammed however called on officials to put in place a process to ensure the conduct of a credible and fair exercise that would enjoy the support and confidence of members.
He also called for the immediate disbandment of the Senator John Danboyi-led Membership Registration Committee for Kwara State, saying a vast majority of the APC stakeholders in the state had lost confidence in the committee.
About the Author
Amos Esele is the Deputy Editor of THEWILL Newspaper. He has over two decades of experience on the job.
