The leadership crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress took a different dimension on Monday in Abuja as most of the governors were said to have abandoned the Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Governor Mai Mala Buni, who had been steering the affairs of the APC since June 2020.
In an unprecedented move, the Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Bello, who is a member of the caretaker committee, arrived at the APC national secretariat about 12:30pm to assume the position of the acting chairman of the caretaker committee.
However, there was confusion on the status of Buni in the party on Monday as Bello told journalists that he was not aware of his (Buni) position.
But an aide to the Yobe State Governor at the APC secretariat, Yusuf Ali, in an interview with one of our correspondents on the telephone, said Buni remained the party chairman, adding that governors were in support of him.
The Niger State governor, Bello, who arrived amid heightened security presence comprising about 70 security personnel with no less than 15 patrol vehicles which barricaded access roads to the premises, said he had the blessing of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
The governor disclosed this to reporters shortly after a meeting with members of the caretaker committee and state chairmen of the APC.
When asked in what capacity he was taking action, he responded, “Acting chairman of the APC and governor of Niger State. I am acting chairman, caretaker committee.”
But when Bello was asked what Buni’s position in the party was, he responded, “I am not aware of any position at the moment.”
Explaining the purpose of his visit to the national secretariat, the acting chairman said “The state chairmen took their oath of office today and we discussed 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.”
The PUNCH observed that the development appeared strange to some party officials who said the National Secretary of the CECPC, Dr John Akpanudoedehe, had always overseen the daily operations of the party including the handing of certificates to state chairmen in early February, and not the Niger State governor.
As acting chairman, Bello also received a report of the party’s zoning committee ahead of the March 26 national convention.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that the Zoning Committee was constituted last Tuesday with Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, as Chairman.
According to the APC, the committee was inaugurated to ensure a just and equitable sharing formula of leadership positions in all the geopolitical zones in the country.
Speaking after receiving the report, the Niger State governor said his role in the CECPC had the President’s blessing.
He also explained the reason for the heightened security presence, saying it was meant to maintain law and order in the midst of Monday’s “major event”.
“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.”
Asked if the happenings at the Secretariat had the blessing of the President, he said: “Of course”.
Receiving the report, the acting chairman commended members saying “I will like to thank you for this assignment handled in a very mature manner. This is the beginning of good things to come to our party.
“This exercise was hitch free and by God’s grace every other exercise will be hitch free.”
Earlier, the chairman, APC Zoning Committee and Governor of Kwara state, Abdulrazaq, who thanked the party for the opportunity to serve, said the Committee’s assignment was completed within the time frame of the responsibility.
Monday’s development follows reports that the Niger State Governor has taken over the APC as ‘sole administrator’ following the “sack” of Buni as chairman of the caretaker committee.
The reports also asserted that President Buhari approved Buni’s sack and Bello’s appointment shortly before leaving Abuja to London Sunday afternoon.
