Buni’s reinstatement: Buhari writes Progressive Governors, warns against divisive conducts
…Says party risks ultimate implosion, non-existence
…States why Buni should continue as CECPC Chair for National Convention
…Identifies possible litigations, distractions
…As Buni cancels APC NEC meeting slated for today
By Moses Adeniyi
President Muhammadu Buhari has written All Progressives Congress’ Governors, directing them to allow the embattled Chairman of the Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Mai Mala Buni, to continue as Chairman of the Committee to conduct the party’s planned national convention.
Buhari in his capacity as President and the National Leader of the Party, directed the Governors to permit same citing possibilities of controversies, litigations and all other distractions which may becloud the delayed Party’s convention.
Buhari consequently warned, “all members of the Governors’ Forum and their followers should 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.”
In the letter Buhari personally addressed to the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, dated March 16, 2022, he said the decision was necessary to “quickly get its (the Party’s) acts together.”
Insisting that the convention must hold on March 26, Buhari said removing Buni as the Chairman of CECPC may amount to litigations and invalidation of all APC activities by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The letter came on the heels of perceived power tussle between Governor Buni of Yobe State, the embattled CECPC Chairman and his Niger State counterpart, Abubakar Bello.
Buhari who agreed the Party was “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,” said the controversies and uncertainties, do not only pose a real threat to the party; but “may lead to a possible non-recognition of its activities, elections and the probable invalidation of all its other actions by INEC,” and also “may ultimately even lead to its implosion and non-existence.”
Buhari’s letter reads, “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.
“In addition, it has come to my attention that, because of recent events, the APC is faced with a multiplicity of court cases pending against it in various courts across the country.
“As a result of this, the party faces the possibility and prospect of the invalidation of all its activities and actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Furthermore, the party has demonstrated its inability to proceed with the issue of effecting change in the leadership of its Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Committee (CECC), in a way that is inclusive, legal and respectful of the time limit set and required for giving the INEC sufficient notice of the time and venue for holding its convention.
“No doubt, these controversies and uncertainties, as enumerated above, pose a real threat to the party; and may lead to a possible non-recognition of its activities, elections and the probable invalidation of all its other actions by INEC.
“This may ultimately even lead to its implosion and non-existence. 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.”
Following his observation, Buhari directed that: “First, the issue of the leadership of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Committee (CECC), should immediately return to status quo ante;
“Second, all members of the Governors’ Forum and their followers should 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;
“Third, 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.”
Controversies have beclouded the Party since it was reported Buni had been sacked as the National chairman of the CECPC.
Against reports of his sack by President Muhammadu Buhari, Buni had in a reactionary statement issued on Monday, 07, March, in Abuja signed by the National Secretary of the CECPC, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, insisted that he is still in charge of the party, describing reports to the contrary as ‘fake news.’
The statement had read partly, “Our attention has been drawn to sponsored media reports on an imaginary leadership change in the All Progressives Congress APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee CECPC.
“The media report is fake news and should be disregarded.
“The APC is a progressive political party guided by rules. Leadership changes are not announced by ‘sources’ through name dropping in the media.
“We urge our teeming supporters, members and indeed the general public to remain calm and support the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led APC CECPC conduct a rancour-free and credible National Convention deserving of our great party.”
The statement followed reports that President Buhari may have sanctioned the sack of Gov. Buni on Sunday night, 6th March, before departing the country for London.
Following the new development, Buni has cancelled the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting slated for Thursday (today), against the decision of the Acting National Chairman of the CECPC, Gov. Abubakar Sani Bello who last week fixed a NEC meeting for Thursday.
Recall that, last week, the Acting Chairman, Caretaker Committee and Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Bello fixed the NEC meeting as part of the efforts to strengthen decisions towards the party’s forthcoming National Convention.
However, a press release issued on Wednesday evening by the National Secretary of the party, Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, disclosed that the meeting had been cancelled.
The statement read in part, “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.
“Despite the cancellation of the NEC meeting, the party would continue with its preparation for the national convention scheduled to hold on March 26,” he added.
