The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caucus in Gaya Local Government Area of Kano State, Hon. Abdullahi Mahmud Gaya, has called for unity and equal treatment of all members of the party, irrespective of their political blocs.
Gaya made the call on Thursday during a meeting with Caucus members of the Gaya APC Caucus at his office in Kano.
In a statement issued and signed by Ibrahim Ahmed Umar and made available to journalists in Kano, he reaffirmed his commitment to the progress, unity and growth of the party, as well as the protection of its members’ interests.
He commended members of the caucus and other party supporters for their continued loyalty despite the challenges confronting the party, stressing the need for greater inclusiveness and cooperation among members.
According to him, party leaders at all levels must work together, irrespective of whether they are identified as members of the “old” or “new” bloc of the party.
Gaya said leadership required collective responsibility and urged those in positions of authority to ensure that all members were treated fairly and equally.
He said the APC remained supreme and advocated equal treatment of its members, urging party leaders to discard the notion of “old” and “new” members.
The caucus chairman also said the government had introduced various empowerment programmes aimed at improving the livelihoods of the people, but alleged that some long-standing APC members were not being adequately carried along in the implementation of the initiatives.
He therefore called for a fair and transparent sharing formula, suggesting a 50/50 arrangement to ensure that both old and new members benefited from government empowerment programmes.
Gaya specifically appealed to those in positions of authority in local government areas to avoid discriminating against members on the basis of whether they were regarded as “old” or “new” in the party.
He said the meeting also provided an opportunity for members to voice their concerns and grievances over what they described as their treatment as “second-class” members of the party, despite being long-standing members of the APC.
Gaya added that he had listened to their complaints and would explore available channels to present them to the relevant authorities for consideration.
Speaking at the meeting, a veteran politician and APC member, Alhaji Nafiu Fatee, called for adjustments in the affairs of the party, alleging that some long-standing and loyal members were being excluded from its activities and decision-making processes.
Fatee urged the party leader including the leadership at the local government level, to make necessary changes to ensure that old members were adequately carried along.
“With the way things are going in the party, there is a need for adjustment because we, the old members of the party, are being excluded and are not being carried along,” he said.
He said traditional long-standing members had remained in the APC largely because of their respect for Gaya, whom they described as a just and fair leader.
According to him, Gaya had consistently used his personal resources to support party members despite not holding any elective office, describing him as a pillar of the party.