APC To Kick-Start FCT Membership Registration, Revalidation February 8

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has concluded plans to commence a two week long revalidation and registration of new members, starting from February 8, 2021.

The Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, hinted this on Friday in Abuja when she presented party stakeholders to members of the revalidation and registration committee in the city.

Aliyu who used the occasion to task committee members to carry out the exercise in a justifiable and equitable manner, cautioning the committee against giving room for internal wrangling capable of dividing members of the party.

According to her, the outcome of the exercise would go a long way to determine the success of the party in the coming elections, even as she called on members to commence massive mobilization of membership. 

The Minister who lamented that the party lost the Senate and House of Representatives seats to the main opposition party, however told the stakeholders that APC was still in control of the territory having won four chairmanship positions out of six area councils and with majority of councillors. 

However, Aliyu assured party members that if next elections are not rigged, the APC would win from top to bottom, saying “God’s willing, we will not let the president down”. 

Her words: “We are gathered here today to fulfill one of the constitutional rights as stipulated by INEC, that is, revalidation of membership and registration of new members. This shows that the party is open to new members, and encourage the old ones to revalidate their membership. 

“There are so many reasons for us as a party not to defranchise anyone but to give each other a voice and a very strong voice. This exercise shall be free and fair, devoid of any sentiment. We will not give room for internal wrangling in order to divide us. 

“Fortunately, even as much as we do not win the Senate and House of Representatives seats; we did not loose the entire territory because we have four of the six area council chairmen and majority of councillors with us. That tells us clear that something very interesting might happen in the next elections”. 

Aliyu used the occasion to declare that she is not contesting any political office in the Federal Capital Territory, but pledged to support any credible candidate that would give residents of the territory good representation. 

She further stated that, “Thank God Almighty, we have two ministers in the FCT, who are not contesting any position with you. You are lucky and for that we will encourage every member in the FCT. 

“In my own case, I was born here, grew here and became a politician here and I will encourage every politician to actualize his dream here provided you give good representation. I am not contesting anything in FCT. With the fear of God, I will be willing to guide you through, and support you to ensure that justice is done”. 

In his remarks, the APC chairman, Mallam Abdulmalik Usman, informed the committee and stakeholders that one of the critical reasons of the exercise was to give room for fresh members so that every Nigerian would be allowed to register as a member of the ruling party. 

“For those who are members, they have to revalidate their membership because as at the time you register in 2014, your age has changed by now, and those who are underage as at that time are free to register. Above all, those who are aggrieved in other parties are free to join us,” he added.