APC Grappling With Financial Challenges Under Ganduje – Former Deputy Chair

A former Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (North-West), Malam Salihu Lukman, says the ruling All Progressives Congress is facing financial challenges under the watch of its National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.

Lukman made the claim in a statement on Wednesday titled ‘Agonising Experience of Being APC Member: Message to APC Leaders.’

He expressed disappointment that the recommendations he gave to rescue the party from drowning financially were not considered by the new APC leadership, adding that it had been difficult for him to meet with Ganduje.

He said, “Beyond these issues, there are also the problems of funding facing the leadership of Dr Ganduje. At a personal level, I have tried to present recommendations to Dr Ganduje, including a funding proposal for the party. Painfully, I am not able to convince him and the leadership of the party to consider some of the recommendations and proposals. Or, at least, I am not able to get any feedback that my proposal is worthy of consideration.

“As things are, it is also very clear that access to Dr Ganduje is becoming narrower and narrower. In this circumstance, one is left with no option but to conclude that I am only being tolerated. I have been a member of APC since its formation. No doubt, because one had summoned the courage to give honest advice to our leaders, including former President Buhari and current President Asiwaju, I only had a remote relationship with these leaders.

Somehow, many people close to these leaders consider me an antagonist, largely on account of many of the provocative recommendations one had to make.”

According to the report Lukman had in September met with two former national chairmen of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande and Adams Oshiomhole.

Efforts to reach the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka and Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, were unsuccessful.

When asked to clarify the claim, Ganduje’s Chief of Staff, Muhammed Garba, said, “We may not have enough to take care of our activities here and there, but at least, we are doing everything possible to ensure we don’t owe salaries. With the little we make in the secretariat, we are trying as much as possible to improve our revenue generation.

“The APC chairman, even though engaged with Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo election matters at the moment, is accessible to anybody. Even the Lukman you talked abouth has met him at his residence. He didn’t dismiss Lukman’s financial recommendations. In fact, the chairman has directed the financial officer to look at the proposal and advise the party. What else does he want?”