Bola Tinubu, the former governor of Lagos state, has stressed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) must conduct itself in a “fair” manner.
Tinubu believes that if the party’s internal processes are democratic, it will be able to have a greater impact on the country.
This comes in the wake of the ruling party’s contentious leadership change.
President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered the substitution of Mai Mala Buni, the governor of Yobe State, as the acting chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) while the latter was on medical leave in Dubai.
After learning of Buni’s attempt to sabotage the APC’s national convention, the president decided to replace leadership.
Tinubu praised the president for continuing to believe in the ruling party in a statement released on Thursday.
While party members are free to pursue their own political aims, the former governor stressed they must always keep the “greater collective purpose” in mind.
“Recently, President Buhari made a characteristically concise and important statement regarding the strength and purpose of our political party, APC,” he said.
“He underscored the need for the party to perfect its internal processes so that it keeps faith in the progressive purpose for which it was founded: to bring forth a better society through just and compassionate good governance.
“Our party came into being to answer the call of reform so that progressive governance for the good of all Nigerians could be established in the land. President Buhari won the 2015 election and was re-elected. But the essential task of fundamental reform and improvement of society has not been completed.
“We still have vital work to do. But the work can only be done by a party which is democratic and fair in governing itself as well as in governing the nation.
“This means that while people pursue their political goals they must also and always keep the greater collective purpose in mind. Let us be guided by the progressive and enlightened reason for the party.”
Many progressive leaders, according to Tinubu, put their time, energy, ideas, and resources into founding the APC with the goal of making Nigeria a better place.
“The president is a founder of this party. I too have lent my humble bit. As founding fathers of this party, we must continue to guard its purpose,” he said.
“Let not the APC descend into the ways and rank of the other parties. Instead, may we strive to be an exemplar for a caring and democratic society.”
