The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to promoting internal democracy as a strategy to reduce factionalism and tension within its ranks. This approach, he stated, is vital for maintaining unity and strength, especially as the party gears up for future elections.
Dr. Ganduje made these remarks on Thursday while hosting members of the Correspondents Chapel of the Kano State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by Chairman Alhaji Aminu Garko, at his office in Abuja. In his address, he emphasized the importance of fostering a democratic culture within the party, which he believes will mitigate internal conflicts and enhance overall party cohesion.
“We always encourage internal democracy so that we reduce tension and factionalisation within the party,” Ganduje said. He acknowledged that while occasional incidents may arise, the commitment to democratic principles within the party structure provides a solid foundation for resolving issues amicably.
He further highlighted the significance of understanding and collaboration between party officials and political officeholders. Ganduje noted that strong relationships between governors and the party structure at both state and national levels are crucial for maintaining party unity and ensuring effective governance.
“There is a need for synergy between party officials and political officeholders. Governors, for instance, must have a close relationship with the party’s structure at the state level, and this extends to the national level as well. We regularly invite our officials from the state level to provide them with information and educate them on issues like internal democracy,” he added.
In a bid to further strengthen the intellectual capacity of the APC, Dr. Ganduje also spoke about the establishment of the Progressives Institute, which serves as the intellectual wing of the party. The institute is tasked with analyzing national issues and ensuring that they gain the attention of the government, ultimately becoming part of the government’s agenda.
“On the issue of having an intellectual wing for the party, we established what we call the Progressives Institute. Its role is to analyze national issues so that they can get the attention of the government and become an agenda for the government,” Ganduje explained.
This initiative, according to him, is designed to position the APC as a party that is not only focused on winning elections but also on providing thoughtful and evidence-based policy solutions for the country’s challenges.
