The All Progressives Congress, APC, Kaduna State chapter, on Friday said it had no faction and declared total support to the State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
The party was reacting to Thursday’s formation of a splinter group “APC Akida” by some of its leaders led by Senator Shehu Sani, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed and Tom Maiyashi among others.
The convener of APC Akida, Mr. Maiyashi, who addressed a press conference in Kaduna yesterday, said the group will serve as a platform for members of the APC to work for the progress of the party in the state.
“We believe in playing responsible and constructive roles because the government appears to have shut out basic involvement of citizens in governance”, he said adding “We came on board because our party structures do not exist or function in a manner prescribed by our party’s constitution. It does not protect the interests of our members, and one of our key goals is to help reestablish party structure at all levels”.
But addressing a news conference on Friday in Kaduna to mark the first year of APC-led government in the state, the party’s acting publicity secretary, Salisu Wusono, warned disloyal party members to desist from operating “an illegal and unrecognized group” or face sanctions.
Wusono said the party was proud of the achievements of Mr. El-Rufai, which include free school feeding of 1.5 million pupils every day, adding that the APC was looking forward to the commissioning of 255 modernised primary health centres, one in each ward of the state.
The party also commended the governor for employing 2,503 youths into Kaduna State Traffic and Environmental Law Enforcement Agency, KASTELEA.
“As a party, the Kaduna State APC stands united behind Governor Nasir El-Rufai, in delivering service for our people. Our party was elected to lead change and bring development, not to pander to the ego of people.
“Those who think that nothing can be right if they are not the drivers and condemn laudable initiatives just because they are not treated as masters should reconsider their conduct”, he said.
The party spokesman continued, “The APC Kaduna State cannot be factionalised. We will not tolerate indiscipline. We have given people enough time to adjust to the reality that they are not in a position to hold the party or the process of change to ransom just because of their personal interests.
“Some people lost their bid to occupy the office of chairman; others were soundly defeated in the gubernatorial primaries. Despite this, the party tried to carry them along. But they stood aloof during the campaigns, some even went as far as cooperating with the PDP.
“We heard that a group of persons sat with a suspended senator to announce an illegal and unrecognized group. They are hereby warned to desist”.
