A civic advocacy group, the Concerned Citizens of Osun State, has strongly condemned the relocation of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting from the party’s national secretariat to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, describing it as “an aberration and gross abuse of office.”
In a statement signed by the group’s coordinator, Apesin Abiodun Adegoke, on Wednesday, the move was described as a disturbing misuse of state property for partisan purposes, and a clear violation of democratic principles.
“The Presidential Villa is the official residence of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, built and maintained with taxpayers’ money, not party funds,” the group said.
“It is a national symbol that belongs to all Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation, and should not be converted into an extension of the APC secretariat.”
The group warned that using a state facility like the Aso Villa to host a party meeting not only sets a dangerous precedent but also undermines public trust and erodes the principle of separation between the state and political parties.
Citing the example of past administrations, the group stated, “In 16 years of PDP rule, not even at the peak of its influence did the party convene meetings at the presidential residence. Institutional boundaries were respected.”
While acknowledging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reputation as a democrat, the group urged him to ensure that his administration does not trample on state-party boundaries.
“We call on Mr. President to reverse this decision immediately and refrain from politicizing public institutions.
“If he wishes to host party leaders, he is free to do so at his private residence but not in a space that represents the Nigerian state as a whole,” the statement added.
The group called on democratic stakeholders and watchdogs to speak out against what it termed “an emerging culture of impunity,” warning that such actions, if unchecked, could further blur the line between governance and political favoritism.
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