President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday shocked members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of his party when he called for the cancellation of tenure extension for party officials. He disclosed his position to bewildered party members at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the APC in Abuja.

Recall that the APC had in its NEC meeting on February 28 extended the tenure of members of National Working Committee (NWC) led by John Odigie-Oyegun by one year, a move that split the party as some members were strongly against extension. Some party members had expressed their lack of confidence in the Oyegun-led Exco, accusing it of partiality and non-adherence to internal democracy principles.

Speaking shortly before the commencement of NEC meeting Tuesday, Buhari admonished the party leadership to consider cancelling the tenure extension decision because “it is against the party and the Nigerian constitution.” As at press time, Buhari’s stance was a subject of heated debate during the meeting.

Those spearheading the non-extension targeted the Chairman, Oyegun, as having over-stayed his usefulness as the chairman of the ruling party.