Uncertainty shrouds APC leadership as Bello presides over secretariat
…Swears in Zonal Electoral Committee
…CEPCC denies change of leadership
…I have Buhari, Governors’ support to take over from Buni — Bello
…Buni has failed in his primary duty — Sen. Marafa
Joel Oladele and Seth Akande
Amid speculations that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the removal of Mai Mala Buni as the chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, on Monday, presided over a meeting at the APC National Headquarters.
Reports making the rounds had alleged that Buni, who took over the leadership of the party in June 2020 following the sack of Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (APC), had been removed and Bello appointed in his place.
The Niger State Governor stormed the party’s national secretariat and parked his vehicle at the space reserved only for the Chairman, a development which generated speculations of possible takeover of Buni’s role in the party.
Governor Bello, who presided over the meeting of the APC CECPC and state chairmen of the party, also administered the oath of office on the elected state chairmen after a meeting with members of the interim committee.
It was gathered that the Buni-led interim national leadership of the party presented certificates of return to the chairmen-elect of the party across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in February without administering oath on them.
Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, Bello explained that he had been acting as the chairman of the party since Mr Buni travelled out of the country.
Noting that he presided over the CECPC meeting as the Acting Chairman, he said, “I have been acting for a while since the Chairman (Buni) travelled.
“The states’ chairmen took their oath of office today, we discussed the progress made so far on convention and what needs to be done next so that we will achieve the March 26 date for the convention.”
Meanwhile, the Caretaker/Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) has denied the change of leadership while debunking the reports of takeover.
In reaction to the speculations, National Secretary of the CECPC, Dr James Akpanudoedehe noted that Buni remains the Chairman and would oversee the party’s affairs until the election of new members of the National Working Committee at the March 26 Convention.
I have Buhari, Governors’ support to take over from Buni — Bello
On his part, Governor Sani Bello of Niger State has reacted to his assumption as the Chairman of the Caretaker/Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking with reporters after the meeting, the governor said President Muhammadu Buhari and Governors under the party gave their support and blessing to take over from Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state.
Bello stated that he would be in charge of the ruling party pending the March 26 convention, stressing that the success of the much-anticipated event is his priority for now.
The Niger Governor added that he would be visiting the party’s national secretariat on a daily basis to discharge his duties following his new role as the party’s caretaker chairman.
He stated that the presence of armed security men at the party’s national secretariat to forestall any breakdown of law and order and to maintain peace during the presentation of a report of the party’s zoning committee.
“Well, every time there is a major event, we beef up security. Today, we have a major event and all the chairmen came in, so they are to maintain law and order.
“Most of my colleagues are here to support me to receive the report. You know the zoning committee report is a very important one. And all the governors here are here to support me. Now, at the zonal level, they can go and do their work,” he said.
Governors present during the event were Yahaya Bello of Kogi state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, Hope Uzodinma of Imo among others.
Buni has failed in his primary duty — Sen. Marafa
Meanwhile, Senator Kabiru Marafa of Zamfara State has berated the Buni-led Caretaker Committee, stating the Governor had failed in his primary assignment which was to conduct a convention.
Marafa stated this yesterday while speaking on the popular Channels Television’s program, “Politics Today.”
Speaking on the change of leadership, Marafa said, “If you look at when he was appointed, the directive that came by the body that appointed him at that time, his terms of preference and everything, within the first six months, we said they are not honest and clear with what they wanted to do.”
He said the erstwhile Chairman was given a “clear directive” which was to conduct convention and reconcile aggrieved members of APC. Those were the two assignments given to the committee.
