APC to embark on massive membership drive

By The Citizen

The newly registered All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded plans to embark on massive membership drive and enlightenment, Alhaji Umar Duhu, the National Vice Chairman, North East, has said.

Duhu said  on Thursday in Yola that the party, 'which is the much awaited platform and alternative for selfless service, wants its presence to be felt at all levels'.

'You know, Nigerians were so enthusiastic about APC being registered; so we have to match our words with actions by reaching out to them.

'We want to establish structures across the country beyond ward level. We want to be the first party to have structures at unit level,' Duhu said.

Duhu, a former State Chairman of defunct ANPP in Adamawa, said that ANPP recently received about 300,000 new members in the state, 'who are now automatic members of APC'.

He said the party was confident of its chances in the 2015 general elections.

Duhu said that the party was in talks with some governors, who are interested in becoming members of the APC.

'As at today, many governors are in talks with us. From the number I have now, we have at least 23 governors coming to APC.

'I am assuring the party members, particularly those that are just coming in, of equal opportunities,' Duhu said

Also in Nsukka, Enugu state Prof. Aloysius Okolie  said that the INEC registration of ANPP, ACN and CPC merger to form the All Progressive Congress (APC) would strengthen democracy in Nigeria.

Okolie, a Professor of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, made the observation in an interview in Nsukka on Thursday.

He said that, with the registration of APC, there was now a strong opposition and alternative party if the ruling party failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians.

'The registration of APC by INEC on Wednesday is a welcome development and a plus to the country's democracy.

'With strong opposition, the ruling party will strive to be transparent and accountable to the electorate to avoid being voted out of power, ' he said.

He said that with the registration of APC, the ANPP, ACN and CPC would cease to exist as political parties, because their certificates would be withdrawn by INEC.

'I commend INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega's commitment to deepen democracy as well as being fair to all political parties in the country.

'In no distant time, I foresee PDP and APC as the main political parties in the country, '' he said.

The professor, however, advised APC leadership to ensure that all understandings reached by the three merged political parties were respected in the interest of the new party.

He said that the ability of APC to successfully harmonise its activities would determine if the party would stand the test of time or not.

According to him, 2015 general elections will be a litmus test to the newly-registered party.

'I urge political parties, both ruling and oppositions to also play the game of politics according to the rules, so as to move the country forward, 'he said. (NAN)