The Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has directed party executives who are simultaneously holding statutory government appointments to resign from those positions.
The directive, contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the state APC Publicity Secretary, Femi Nuberu, follows an earlier pronouncement by Governor Dapo Abiodun. According to the party, the move is in strict compliance with its constitution.
The development comes as the party begins its congresses across the state, starting with ward-level meetings on Wednesday. The congresses are part of the APC’s internal political process to fill vacant positions at ward, local government, state and national levels.
In the statement, the party stressed that holding executive roles in both government and the party structure contradicts the principles of separation of powers and internal discipline as outlined in its constitution.
“The party wishes to remind all affected officers that holding dual executive positions in both government and the party structure is inconsistent with the principles of separation of powers and the internal discipline enshrined in the APC Constitution,” the statement read in part.
Those affected by the directive include individuals serving as Secretaries to Local Governments, Supervisors, Special Advisers, Consultants, and Secretaries of the Local Government Education Authority.
The APC explained that any executive who intends to remain in party office must first submit a formal resignation letter from their government appointment. The resignation letters are to be addressed to the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as well as the Local Government Service Commission, with copies sent to the relevant Council Chairman and the Head of Local Government Administration.
For such resignations to be valid, the party said they must be duly acknowledged by all relevant authorities.
The APC clarified that the directive is not punitive but aimed at strengthening internal governance and ensuring adherence to constitutional provisions. It also assured affected members that once they comply, they would retain their positions within the party structure at their respective ward or zonal levels.
The party urged all concerned officers to act promptly as it seeks to reinforce discipline and align its operations with best political practices.
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