The chairman of ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun has charged the leadership of the party’s 2018 National Convention Committee, to do their best and make sure that the results of the convention will make the party a living one.

He also urged the Jigawa State Governor-led Committee “to make sure that this party is out in political fighting mood for the 2019 elections.”

Otherwise, he wants Alhaji Abubakar Baduru, the chairman of the 2018 National Convention Committee to above all, ensure that the outcome of the convention reunites APC members.

Addressing the Committee members shortly after their inauguration in Abuja, Odigie-Oyegun said, “I am passing the buck over to you today. At the end of this exercise, I want to see a re-united APC under whatever leadership your exercise brings up”.

“We have a tough election ahead of us and we must prime ourselves for that election. We must not cuddle ourselves with any false sense of being the party in power.

“Our population today is much more aware of their rights than they have ever been before. So, as you proceed, please ensure that all these views and opinions are brought together into a one united APC.

“The task that you have undertaken to perform is a heavy and tough one. The APC is known, in spite of induced controversies, for the cleanest primaries and congresses.

“Our last presidential primary was by all account one of the best ever held and I dare say, anywhere.

Continuing, Oyegun noted further that “It was a convention that was watched worldwide and you are supposed to repeat the feat. I have no doubt that this one, given the controversies that have preceded it will also be a most watched convention.

“So, you have the task of producing a convention that is free, fair and provide a level playing field for anybody who wants to aspire to any position.”

Giving an abridged explanation of how prepared the APC was ahead of the 2019 general elections, Odigie-Oyegun said, “The signs are clear that this is a living party, the signs are clear that this is a vibrant party. The signs are clear that this is a party whose leadership is committed and dedicated, in spite of current event, to make sure that this party is out in a political fighting mood for the 2019 elections.”

Responding, the convention chairman assured the party leadership that his committee would give the contestants a level playing ground, stressing that “God is with us and He will continue to support us because of our clear vision, our good heart and our love for the people of Nigeria. We all know that our leader has no business in running this government except for the care of our people.

According to him, “Most of us you see in the APC are in the party today to serve our people. Our mission in the APC is to rescue the country from near collapse we saw around 2014 and 2015.”

While confirming that the convention would hold in Abuja as scheduled, he assured that efforts are being made to use the convention to unite discordant voices in the party hierarchy.

It was not however; clear if the plum assignment earlier given to the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu by President Muhammadu Buhari to reconcile aggrieved party members may have achieved the real target as there are still traces of deep disaffection within the ranks of the party.