The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) talked tough on Sunday.
It is angry that some of its leading lights purportedly held ‘parallel’ congresses in some states at the weekend.
Any congress not conducted by accredited officials and observed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is futile, the party declared.
It warned of likely punishment for members behind the unofficial activities.
Secretary to the party’s Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Senator John James Akpanudoedehe said: “Anything (congress) outside the guideline is an exercise in futility. Anything that we (Caretaker Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) did not authorise is not permissible.
“The purported “parallel” congresses are futile activities and very strange to the party, our Constitution, and the guidelines for the conduct of the state and other congresses.
Read Also; APC, PDP elect state excos amid confusion, protests
“Only exercises conducted by duly inaugurated State Congress Committees are recognised by the party. The APC leadership will not hesitate to take adequate and lawful measures against any person or interest sabotaging the collective party’s interest and efforts to achieve peace and unity in our great party.
“We are a structured and a well-organised party. We gave notice to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). We submitted the guideline and the list of committee members to conduct the congresses to INEC. If you go outside that arrangement, it is an exercise in futility.
“Where contestations exist, adequate conflict resolution measures have been put in place to address them. The party has appeal committees for every congress.”
Chairman of CECPC, Governor Mai Mala Buni had on Friday warned that the party would not condone deliberate acts of sabotage by anyone or group intended to ridicule the process and outcome of the congress.
Some members of the party in some states congregated and held what is being referred to as ‘parallel’ congresses.
But Buni in a comment on his verified facebook page: @Hon Mai Mala Buni congratulated party members for their peaceful conduct.
He wrote: “I am deeply elated by the atmosphere of unity and democracy that saw the emergence of new leaderships for our party at Ward, Local Government and State levels.
“Our strength as progressives has always been defined by our core principle of advancing an equal and balanced representation that offers the opportunity for everyone to engage with, and contribute to the functioning of the party and of democracy. I, therefore, task those elected to continue on this path of inclusiveness, equity and dialogue, and to always connect with our constituents in the affairs of the party.
“Congratulations to our party, The All Progressives Congress”.