.Buhari, Governors behind me as acting chairman – Says Niger Governor
APC zoning committee submits report to Niger gov
. Buni still in charge – Akpanudoedehe
Tension is building at the national Secretariat of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, with security operatives sealing off the entire Blantyre street housing the Buhari House even as the party has debunked a media report stating that President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the Chairman, Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, CECPC, Mai Mala Buni.
According to the report, the president has appointed Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to take over the ruling party as ‘sole administrator’ following the sack of Buni on Sunday.
The unconfirmed report further stated that impeccable sources confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari approved Buni’s sack and Bello’s appointment shortly before leaving the county to London Sunday afternoon.
Buni who is reported to have left the country on a ‘medical trip is said to have miffed the presidency and some APC governors with his conduct and collusion with a few colleagues to undermine the interest of the ruling party.
But denying the report, national secretary, James Akpanudoedehe described the report as fake news urging members of the public to disregard it.
In a short statement issued Monday, Akpanudoedehe said, “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.
Meanwhile ,A day after All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, President Muhammadu Buhari embarked on a health vacation to United Kingdom, fresh crisis has erupted in the party with Governor Sani Bello of Niger State assuming the leadership of the party om acting capacity claiming the support of the president and the governors of the party.
With the development, Gov. Bello is expected to take charge of the ruling party pending the March 26 convention in place of his Yobe counterpart, Governor Mai Mala Buni, who has been presiding over the affairs of the ruling party since the exit of Adams Oshiomhole two years ago.
Shortly after taking over, Bello received a report of the party’s zoning committee ahead of the convention.
The zoning committee was constituted last week with Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as chairman.
Gboyega Akosile, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, disclosed this on Twitter.
“Breaking: Kwara State Governor @RealAARahman has submitted the report of the @OfficialAPCNg Zoning Committee in line with the deadline set by the party ahead of its National Convention. The report was received on behalf of the party by Gov. Abubakar Sanni Bello,” his tweet read.
State governors present during the event held at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, were; Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), among others.
In an interview with newsmen after the event, the Niger State governor said his role at the party’s national secretariat has President Muhammadu Buhari’s blessing.
He said he would be coming to the party’s national secretariat “almost everyday” to discharge his duties.
On why security was beefed up at the party’s national secretariat, he said, “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.”
Secretary of the APC Caretaker Committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, in a chat with newsmen said Gov.Buni was on a medical trip and that he will resume his office when he returns from his vacation.
In an earlier statement issued, Sen. Akpanudoedehe said, “Our attention has been drawn to sponsored media reports on an imaginary leadership change in the APC- 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.”
