The emergence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other new members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of All Progressives Congress (APC) is a product of transparency, democracy and compromise, former Vice President and chieftain of the party, Atiku Abubakar has said.
The former vice president made the assertion in a statement of solidarity to the new APC executives who would be inaugurated on Wednesday.
In a statement by his media office in Abuja on Tuesday, Atiku advised the newly elected party officials to sustain the tempo of public enthusiasm, which greeted the birth of the opposition party in the country.
The former Vice President expressed delight at the peaceful conduct of the elections at the party’s inaugural national convention last Friday.
“As a party member, I am proud that the elections were conducted without incidents or rancour,” Atiku said. “The level of maturity demonstrated by APC followers was evidence of their commitment to decent democratic conduct.”
The former Vice President said, despite prediction of chaos and crisis before the convention, the event went peacefully without any incidents. He appealed to aggrieved members to remain loyal to the party as there is reward for loyalty.
He encouraged APC leaders and members not to rest on their oars because the challenges ahead were still tough. He said complacency is a dangerous attitude, especially for an opposition party struggling to capture power and bring change.
While expressing his apologies for his inability to be present for the inauguration of the new executives due to previous commitments overseas, Atiku pledged his support, loyalty and cooperation to the NEC of the party at all times.
