Buni is still national chairman of our party, says APC amid leadership crisis

The All Progressives Congress (APC) says Mai Mala Buni, governor of  Yobe, is still the national chairman of the party’s caretaker committee.

There has been controversy within the party over the change in leadership of the APC caretaker/extraordinary convention planning committee (CECPC).

TheCable had reported how Abubakar Sani Bello, governor of Niger, who currently chairs the committee, denied knowledge of a letter from Buni requesting a leave of absence.

The Yobe governor was said to have travelled abroad for medical treatment.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, John Akpanudoedehe, secretary of the CECPC, said Buni is still in charge of the party, adding that all activities are done “in proxy” under his directive.

Akpanudoedehe said the “Governing Party is crisis-free, strong and remains united in giving the country the transformative leadership and good governance which she promised them”.

“The CECPC, therefore, informs the Press and the General Public as follows,” the statement reads.

“That the CECPC was appointed, and has always done her best, to steer the affairs of the APC in line with the mandate invested in her at the inauguration by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress.

“That on the 28th day of February, 2022, the CECPC Chairman took a long-delayed trip abroad on health grounds, leaving behind written authorisation for other members of the CECPC to continue work in his absence, particularly the day to day management of the APC.

“That in his absence, sundry activities earlier scheduled for action appeared to develop fresh urgency in order to satisfy the Timetable for the 2023 General Elections released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), thus galvanizing some within the CECPC to act in their best understanding of both the situation and the leadership dynamics in the Committee/Party.

“That all such actions were clearly identified at all times as happening in an acting or proxy capacity, and under the auspices of the substantive Chairman, His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, contrary to widespread speculations that the Chairman, Secretary or some other officials of the CECPC have been removed from Office or otherwise replaced.

“That the CECPC is intact and functional as originally constituted.

“That delivering a seamlessly successful National Convention for the APC on March 26, 2022 is top on priority for the CECPC and we shall continue to execute such assignments as are legal pending the return of the Chairman who is on his way back to the country and shall resume Office on arrival with the full support of all members and other stakeholders.

“We are grateful to INEC for her firm guidance in the entire circumstances.”

On the party’s national convention, Akpanudoedehe said the APC has engaged a team of senior lawyers to address “a purported court order halting the planned” exercise.

“We hereby call on the Judiciary to give the matter the needed and expedient attention in our bid to vacate the purported Court order and allow for the conduct of a transparent and rancour-free National Convention deserving of our great party, APC,” he said.