Buhari, Tinubu: things must change or we sink

CHANGE. That was the song yesterday as the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) held its “last and final” convention in Lagos. It was all to solidify its commitment to its proposed merger with other opposition parties by passing resolutions approving the decisions of its leadership on the initiative.
National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande told the 4,761 delegates at the Onikan Stadium on Lagos Island that things must change. Former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari said there was no alternative to the merger – if power must change hands from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) .
ACN National Leader Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivered a stunning speech in which he said “things must change or we sink.” Delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) approved the merger, the name of the proposed party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and its constitution, manifesto, flag, logo and slogan. The event was witnessed by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials.
In an emotional voice, Akande, who presided over the carnival-like convention, declared that the party was winding up to pave the way for the emergence of a more formidable platform capable of wresting power from the PDP in 2015.
He said: “This may be the last convention we are holding in the ACN. Yet, it marks the beginning of another journey to greatness and good governance.” Echoing Akande, Tinubu, said: “For the good of Nigeria, this may be the last and final national convention of the ACN.” “ We have come to the place where things must change or we shall sink. God forbid, we will not sink. For the nation to continue as it is, constitutes nothing less than an invitation to doom. Such a fate, we shall not accept. “The hour is late, and our chance for national progress reduces with each idle moment that we allow. The way Nigeria is governed must change, and change dramatically. This means the shape of politics must change. Nigeria must be a prosperous, secure and safe nation that helps weaker nations attain peace and stability.”
Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun said with the approval of the merger, party faithful should start preparations for the inaugural convention of the APC in Abuja. As from 7 am, delegates had thronged the venue, waving brooms, the symbol of the ACN, singing and dancing. Various banners carrying messages of felicitations, goodwill and solidarity welcomed the party leaders and members for the peaceful exercise.
At the convention organised by the 14-member committee chaired by ACN National Secretary Senator Lawan Shuaibu were Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos State), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Adams Oshiomhole and Amosun (Ogun), the Oyo State deputy governor, Pa Moses Adeyemo, his Lagos, Ogun and Osun counterparts – Mrs. Joke Orelope-Adefulire, Hon. Segun Adesegun and Mrs. Grace Laoye-Tomori — Senate Minority Leader Senator George Akume and former ACN presidential candidate Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
The merger committee chairman, Chief Tom Ikimi, the party’s vice chairman, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Senator Chris Ngige, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Chief Achike Udenwa, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Mr. Audu Ogbe, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo were there.
Also at the event were Senators Olabiyi Durojaye, Ajayi Boroffice, Olorunnimbe Mamora, Ayo Adeseun, Gbenga Kaka, Ganiyu Solomon, Gbenga Ashafa, Babafemi Ojudu, Akin Odunsi, Tony Adefuye, Bello Kanti and Abu Ibrahim.
House of Representatives members Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Hon. Sunday Abegunde and Hon. Moruf Akinderu-Fatai were there. So were Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly Yemi Ikuforiji, his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr. Femi Omirin, ACN Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Pa Oluyole Olusi, Alhaji Salisu Buhu Gumari, Prince Abubakar Audu, Chief Lanre Rasak, Pastor Osagie Iyamu, Mr. Ademola Seriki, Chief Godwin Ezeemo, Prince Olu Adegboro, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) Mr. Funminiyi Afuye attended the ceremony.
Also there were Evangelist Segun Erinle, Anamoya Gomba, Meriki Ebinikomi, Pa Abiodun Sunmola, Hon. Ayo Adewale, Lowo Adebiyi, Alhaji Tajudeen Bello, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, Dr. Leke Pitan, Ademorin Kuye, Dino Melaye, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola and ACN Women Leader Hajia Miriam Hafthan..
Akande explained that Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi was absent because he had travelled abroad. He also said that Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi, was not at the venue because he was bereaved. Fayemi’s deputy, Mrs Funmi Olayinka, died on April 6.
Prominent opposition figures, including former military Head of State and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) leader Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) chieftain and Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, CPC National Chairman Prince Tony Momoh, his All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) counterpart, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and Alliance for Democracy (AD) National Chairman Chief Michael Koleoso were at the convention.
Expressing hope for the imminence of power shift, Gen. Buhari said: “We will ensure a hitch-free poll in 2015 for the transfer of power from the PDP to the APC.”
“The former Head of State added: “The most topical issue today is the merger. Time was against us in 2011, but this time around, we are building on the 2010 foundation. Merger is the solution. We should mobilise for victory and prevent rigging by the ruling party. We will sensitise our various constituencies.
“We are here to give solidarity, to declare that we have no alternative to the merger. The merger cannot be tinkered with. God willing, we will make it.”
The convention kicked off around 12.15 pm, with the rendition of the national anthem. Lagos State ACN Vice Chairman (West District), Cardinal James Odunmbaku and Alhaji Garuba Abari from Yobe State said the opening prayers.
Shortly before the main proceedings, the National Legal Adviser, Dr. Muiz Banire, moved a motion for amendment to the programmes and business of the day to permit the incorporation of a minute of silence for departed chieftains and speeches by certain party leaders. It was seconded by Dr. Abari and approved by the delegates.
A minute of silence was observed in memory of former Anambra State Deputy Governor Chudi Nwike, who was the party’s Southeast leader, and the Ekiti State deputy governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka.
However, the major highlights of the convention was the passing of a resolution for the expulsion of a chieftain from Kaduna State, Mohammed Soba, for anti-party activities, and four resolutions critical to the merger process. The motion for the expulsion was moved by former House of Representatives member from Imo State, Hon. Uche Onyeagucha, seconded by the Lagos State ACN chairaman, Otunba Oladele Ajomale. Following the resolution, Banire said: “The member stands expelled from the ACN.”
The motion for the acceptance and approval of the merger of the party with the CPC, ANPP and a section of APGA, the ratification of its proposed name, the All progressives Congress (APC),and its constitution, logo, symbol and slogan was moved by Abubakar Kari, the Gombe State-born National Organisation Secretary. It was seconded by Mrs. Tonia Awam, a lawyer from Ebonyi State.
In the absence of a dissenting voice among the delegates, Banire declared that the merger had been approved, adding that the members should now imbibe the spirit of APC. Reiterating that the new party they would subscribe to is the APC, Banire shouted its acronym, “APC” and the delegates responded by chorusing: “C-h-a-n-g-e-e-e.”
The last motion for a resolution approving the steps the ACN leadership would take for the merger was also moved by Banire, who clarified that the party leadership would continue with the process, having got the authority. Welcoming the delegates, Senator Shuaib, whose birthday coincided with the convention, described the event as a milestone in the history of the ACN, stressing that opposition leaders have elevated national interest above personal ego.He said: “Nigerians have witnessed good and bad alliance in the past. Some alliances have facilitated corruption and rape on democracy. Merger is new to the INEC and Nigeria because it has not happened before. This convention is the first installment in the steps being taken to rescue a country that has been bastardized.”
Stressing that the new party has come to stay, Shuaib added: “The efforts of the merger leaders will not be in vain. Enemies will not succeed in truncating the merger.” The National Youth Leader, Meriki, echoed the slogan of change, assuring that APC would make it happen in 2015. “We need a change and the change is here. We have to forge a new beginning. We will not miss it. We are going to make it,” he said.
Ogun State Deputy Governor Adesegun, who is a former Youth Leader of the party, said: “ACN youths will present candidates for elections in 2015.”
The Woman Leader, Hajia Miriam, hailed the ACN for giving political opportunities to women, assuring that women will not let the party down. In his solidarity message, Koleoso congratulated the ACN leaders for their bold step, saying that the unification of like-minded progressive political parties will bring change in the right direction. “AD is already working in line of the due process to join the merger,” he said.