Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni
President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the Chairman of Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Committee Mai Mala Buni, be allowed to conduct the party’s planned national convention to avert unnecessary controversies and distractions that may result in litigations.
Buhari who gave the directive on Wednesday in a letter addressed to the Chairman of Progressives Governors Forum and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, noted that the party had demonstrated inability to effect leadership change in a manner that is inclusive, legal and respectful of the time limit set.
He warned on all members of the Governors’ Forum and their followers to desist from any behaviour or utterance that will likely lead to disunity in the ranks of the party, and ultimately jeopardise the transition to the convention.
“As you are, no doubt aware, the All Progressives Congress, APC, is currently facing a litany of controversies and some level of uncertainties that may ultimately question its status and affect the status and feasibility of its proposed National Convention.
“There is, therefore, an urgent need for the party to as much as possible, avoid all controversies, litigations and all other necessary distractions and quickly get its acts together.
“The Mai Mala Buni-led CECC should, accordingly, be allowed to proceed with all necessary preparations to hold the convention as planned- unfailingly, on 26th March 2022,” the letter read in part.
It would be recalled that about a week ago, the Governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai, insisted that the President had directed that Buni should be fired and stressed that he could never return as chairman of the party.
He said: “Buni is gone, the Secretary is gone. Gov. Bello is in charge and he has the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari and 19 governors. Buni can only return as Governor of Yobe but never as chairman of our Party”.
Meanwhile, Secretary of the party’s Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning, John Akpanudoedehe, has disclosed that the APC had cancelled the emergency national executive committee (NEC) meeting earlier scheduled for Thursday by the Niger State Governor Sani Bello, whom Buni had handed over the headship of the CECPC to while away on a medical vacation in Dubai.
“As directed by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning (CECPC) and Governor of Yobe State, H.E. Mai Mala Buni, a purported emergency meeting of the Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) slated for Thursday, March 26, 2022, is hereby cancelled,” Akpanudoedehe said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had also refused to acknowledge Bello as the chairman of the party, insisting that letters from the APC to the commission must be signed by Buni and Akpanudoedehe.