Kayode Ajulo: APC consensus arrangement will be declared illegal if challenged in court

Dr Kayode Ajulo, the former National Secretary of the Labour Party, has warned that if the All Progressives Congress (APCconsensus )’s structure, which is likely to produce its National Chairman, is challenged in court, it will be found unlawful.

He said that any candidate for the party’s National Chairmanship has the “locus” to dispute the consensus on the grounds that their right to a fair election has been violated, and that the court would listen.

The lawyer claimed in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja that the Electoral Act, as modified, does not provide for a consensus arrangement, and thus it is contrary to law, warning that if the APC goes forward with consensus, it will be deemed null.

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“It is no longer news that the National Convention of the All Progressives Congress has been scheduled for (today) Saturday, March 26th, 2022,” he said.

“Several renowned Nigerians, including Gov. Abdulaziz Yari, former Governor of Zamfara State, Mallam Salihu Mustapha, Muhammed Etsu, Senator Sani Musa, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and others, have expressed interest in running for the party’s National Chairmanship.
“In a twist of event, the APC governors and President Muhammadu Buhari, exercising their right of choice have resolved to pick one of the candidate as the Party’s Consensus Candidate for the position of the National Chairman of the Party at the upcoming National Convention.”

According to the statement, the party was not done with consensus for the National Chairmanship, but other positions in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Party.

He said: “Section 82(3) of the Electoral Act, 2022* provides that:

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“The election of members of the executive committee or other governing body of a political party, including the election to fill a vacant position in any of the aforesaid bodies, shall be conducted democratically and allowing for all members of the party or duly elected delegates to vote in support of a candidate of their choice”.

The National Convention of the APC is currently taking place at Eagle Square, Abuja.