By Yusuf Ali
In a 1959 speech, John F. Kennedy famously said: “When written in Chinese, the word ‘crisis’ is composed of two characters—one represents danger and one represents opportunity.” Although today it is widely recognized that this is not the correct interpretation of the Chinese characters, President Kennedy’s wisdom about a crisis yielding unique opportunities may be more important than ever.
As we spend our days attempting to predict, prevent, and prepare for potential crises across all domains of national life; from political and economic arenas to military and terrorism ones. Crises are generally viewed as dangerous, expensive, and detracting from other agendas and priorities. However, a look back in history illustrates that crises and extreme threats can be useful for directing individuals, a country, and even the world to a solution.
As President Kennedy suggested, out of crises can emerge new and incredible opportunities, particularly if traditional approaches and paradigms are questioned and challenged. During a crisis, incentives and motivations change, potentially leading to new cooperative behaviors and even to the creation of new systems or structures. Crises can get the collective adrenaline flowing, focusing minds to solve the problem at hand.
Thus, the manner in which the Governor Buni led Caretaker Committee is working and reaching out to all aggrieved members for a united APC must be accorded the historic attention it deserves as a landmark development turning crisis into opportunities for a united APC ahead of the national convention and the 2023 general elections.
It is on record that the Governor Buni led CECPC since its inauguration has reconcile most members with differences and brought peace to the governing party, but the outcome of the Ward, Local and State Congresses have created some new differences and the Caretaker Committee is working to resolve that.
It is in order to harmonise all differences and to cement all cracks with the view to approach the national convention with a united front, that Governor Buni led CECPC inaugurated the high power National Reconciliation Committee under the Chairmanship of former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Abdullahi Adamu.
There is no doubt, the Governor Buni led CECPC is focused on achieving and sustaining true and lasting unity, peace and reconciliation across party ranks and ahead of the planned national convention of the Party.
Recall that the CECPC was constituted and inaugurated by the 8th resumed meeting of the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) with a core mandate to achieve peace-building, true reconciliation and to give a sense of belonging to every member of the Party.
While a section of the media has been awash with reports of a shift in the national convention, the focus remains achieving and sustaining the APC caretaker committees peace and reconciliation core mandate.
It is important that the APC conducts its planned national convention to produce the Partys national leadership as a united house. Otherwise the main aim of constituting the CECPC following the dissolution of the former National Working Committee (NWC) will be defeated.
Commendably, the Governor Buni-led CECPC has deployed a combination of true reconciliation, consultation and inclusiveness in achieving unity and cohesion to reposition the Party.
A peacemaker and stabilizing voice, Governor Buni is meeting all leaders, known party groups and interests in order to accommodate all interests. This has resulted in renewed commitment on the part of party members.
It is commendable that the Senator Abdullahi Adamu led National Reconciliation Committee instituted by Governor Buni as Chairman of the APC CECPC has resolved many crisis in many states. It has so far recorded huge successes in the South East, North West, North East, South West and South South.The Committee is currently engaged with key stakeholders in Osun, Kwara, Adamawa and others to achieve substantial reconciliation in many states as possible.
The success stories of the ongoing reconciliation efforts abound. Case points are Gombe State where the CECPC reconciled between Governor Inuwa Yahaya and Senator Danjuma Goje who have since resolved to work in the interest of the party.
In Enugu State, the CECPC brought together all the contending interests under one roof and achieved true reconciliation. That one can say today that the likes of Senator Ken Nnamani, former Governor Sulivan Chime, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geofrey Onyeama, which were mangled by the congresses are now working together rebuilding APC in Enugu state.
In Akwa Ibom, leaders such as Sen. Godswill Akpabio, Obong Nsima Ekere, Mr. Umana O. Umana, Sen. Ita Enang, Barr. Bassey Dan Abia (Snr) among others are also working together and in collective pursuit of Party interests.
Also in Rivers, the likes of Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva have resolved in Party interest to work together and strengthen the Party, particularly in the South South geo-political zone.
On the part of the APC Chairman Caretaker Committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni continue to meet with stakeholders/elders, state governors, state chairmen, National Assembly caucus, and ministers for achieving peace and maximum reconciliation. The CECPC is constantly in touch with all party stakeholders.
Ahead of the planned APC National Convention and indeed the 2023 General Elections, stakeholders should continue to support the CECPC efforts to unite the party in order to make it formidable enough to consolidate on the APC's national governing status and landmark achievements. The APC must not go into a National Convention, and indeed a general election in crisis. We should take it one step at a time and ensure that the ongoing national reconciliation process being undertaken by the CECPC is sustained, successful and continue to yield results.
...Yusuf Ali is in the Media Office of APC Headquarters, Abuja. NNL.
