Lai demands cancellation of ‘irregular’ APC membership registration in Kwara

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, has called for the cancellation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) membership registration exercise in Kwara state over alleged irregularities.

Addressing a press conference in Oro, Kwara, on Monday, Mohammed said the membership registration exercise panel led by John Danboyi, a former senator representing Nasarawa north, should be disbanded.

The minister complained that registration materials had not been brought to Kwara and alleged that there is a plan by the registration team in Abuja to sideline some party members in the state.

“Gentlemen, instead of membership registers, conniving registration officials are using exercise books or foolscap sheets to register members,” he said.

“We have pictorial and video evidence of this. More worrisome is that members who have purportedly registered are being asked to come back for their registration slips.

“Till date, no such member has been given the registration slip. Even senior officials of the State Government, including Special Advisers, as well as House of Assembly members, have had to register using exercise books/foolscap sheets (we have video and pictures to corroborate this).

“Also, due to the shoddy and non-compliant mode of registration, using exercise books and foolscap sheets instead of the membership register, many members are unwilling to submit their personal details via such unsecured and illegal processes.

“We, the critical stakeholders of the APC in Kwara State, hereby demand the following; Immediate cancellation of the APC membership registration exercise in Kwara State and the putting in place of a process to ensure the conduct of a credible and fair exercise that will enjoy the support and confidence of all.

“The Immediate disbandment of the Senator John Danboyi-led Membership Registration Committee for Kwara state. A vast majority of the APC stakeholders in the state have lost confidence in the committee.”

The minister said a new membership registration committee should be set up and that of Danboyi should be probed.

The ongoing APC membership registration exercise is meant to culminate in the party’s national elective convention.