Forum of Elected Members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, from the Seventh National Assembly has expressed commitment to All Progressives Congress, APC, and the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.

The forum’s Chairman, Alhaji Basiru Baballe, stated this at the end of its meeting called to address critical matters concerning the legacy and representation of the defunct party in Abuja, yesterday.

Baballe, while reacting to recent comments credited to Alhaji Abubakar Malami, a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, said Malami had no authority to speak for the defunct party.

News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that Malami had, in a recent interview, questioned the credibility of the CPC bloc, led by Tanko Al-Makura, a former governor of Nasarawa State.

Baballe, recalled that CPC, which commanded the loyalty and support of more than 12 million Nigerians, particularly in the North during the 2011 general elections, was a formidable political movement.

NAN reports that the defunct CPC was one of the political parties that merged to form APC in February 2013, ahead of the 2015 general elections.

The forum’s chairman said that the party was built on the principles of progressive change, integrity and the aspirations of Nigerians.

“It has come to our attention that certain individuals, groups and entities, who had no electoral value during the heyday of CPC, have falsely claimed to speak for or represent CPC.

“Purporting to act on behalf of its legacy and its millions of supporters, we categorically declare that no person, group of persons or entity has the authority to speak for or on behalf of the defunct CPC”, he said.

According to him, only the elected representatives of the party who were duly chosen by its supporters in 2011 can speak for the defunct party.

He stated that members of the forum and many more who stood for elections remained the only legitimate and authentic voice of the defunct CPC.

“We are the true custodians of the party’s legacy and the representatives of the 12 million Nigerians, predominantly in northern Nigeria who entrusted us with their mandate”, he said.

He, therefore, called on Nigerians, particularly supporters of CPC in the North and beyond, to disregard any unauthorised statements, actions, or representations made in the name of the defunct party.

Baballe, reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to upholding the values of APC and ensuring that the voice of its supporters was not misrepresented or exploited.

He urged the media, civil society organisations and the general public to verify the authenticity of any claim related to the defunct CPC.

Baballe, also enjoined the media to recognise only the elected members of the Seventh Assembly and Al-Makura, its leader, as the legitimate representatives of the defunct party’s legacy.

He added that though after the merger, the CPC had ceased to exist as a political party, its ideals, vision and the mandate of its supporters remained sacrosanct within APC.

He further stated that the values of the defunct party were as valid today as they were during the formation of APC.

Baballe, emphasised that the forum recognised only Al-Makura, the only governor it had produced as its leader, saying it would work with him to ensure that the sacrifices put in place to build APC was not destroyed.

He said that the forum would join efforts to ensure that APC delivered on its campaign promises beyond expectations and the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians which were the factors that led to the merger of the then political parties. 

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji yesterday launched a ground-breaking 3D drone aerial mapping of the state in a bid to enhance land administration, boost investment, and establish a comprehensive geospatial database to support development projects in the state.

Speaking while flagging off the exercise at a brief ceremony held at the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, Ado-Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji said the exercise was designed to implement a comprehensive land administration solution that will enhance government’s planning capacity and improve service delivery to residents of the state.

The Governor described the exercise as a game changer for the state’s development. Highlighting the transformative potential of the project, Governor Oyebanji said the exercise would streamline land management, promote transparency, ensure security of property ownership, enhance urban planning as well as position the state as a hub for investors.

He explained further that the aerial mapping would also put an end to the persistent issues of fraudulent land transactions, curb menace of land grabbing, provide accurate land records and eliminate loopholes that have been exploited for land grabbing and other irregularities, thereby making the state more attractive for both local and foreign investors.

Oyebanji, who while expressing optimism on the transformative potential of the exercise for the state’s economy, said: “By the time we finish what we are doing, it is going to open the window for investment into Ekiti State, the era of people selling one land to ten people will stop, the era of land grabbing will stop.

“An investor does not have to go to the office of Surveyor- General to sit with them because at a press of a button, you can locate every land and all houses in the state. So, it is a revolution and I am happy it is happening today”. the Governor asserted.

Earlier in his remarks, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Lands, Survey and e-GIS, Prof James Olaleye, said the exercise is the beginning of modernisation of land administration system in Ekiti through the use of cutting-edge geospatial technologies to improved land administration, infrastructure planning and management, secure land tenures, eliminate blind search for land, and boost internally generated revenue of the state.

While commending governor Oyebanji for his visionary leadership, especially in leveraging on innovation and technology to drive development in the state, Prof Olaleye said that the aerial photographic mission would fly at low altitude to capture every inch of the state’s landmass.

He added that the project is expected touch every nook and corners of the state would last for one month.

The Contractor handling the project, Surveyor Olajugba Oluropo, commended the state government’s forward thinking approach in setting a new standard for land administration in the state. Oluropo who took the Governor and state officials present through a displayed mapping board as well as the aircraft’s facilities, assured the Governor of timely delivery and world-class execution of the project.

The aircraft took off for the commencement of the mapping exercise shortly after the brief ceremony.

Also at the event were Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye: Secretary to the State Government, Prof Habibat Adubiaro, Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Folakemi Olomojobi; members of the State Executive Council, Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers/ Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, HRM Oba Ilori Faboro; and the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, HRM Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, Aladesanmi III.