…I’ve Buhari, Governors backing – Gov. Bello
…Receives Zoning C’ttee report, inaugurates State chairmen
…I’m still in charge, Gov Buni insists
…Dismisses reported sack as ‘fake news
The crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), may have taken a more deepening stage, as a member of the Caretaker and Extra Ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Governor Sani Bello of Niger state, yesterday declared himself acting chairman of the committee, replacing the chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state
Reports broke early Monday that President Muhammadu BUhari, who travelled to London on Sunday on a medical check, had approved the sacking of Buni as APC CECPC chairman, and appointing Governor Bello in his place
It was gathered that the APC governors have been in a secret war among each other as the party prepares for the March 26 National convention, especially as different camps try to oitwit each other with the submission of different list of their preferred candidates for the new NWC to President Buhari
One of the operatives said they were deployed to the secretariat as early as 2am to secure the party premises.
Discharging his first duty as Acting chairman, Gov. Bello, who arrived the secretariat at about 12pm went straight to the National Working Committee NWC Hall where he met with some members of the CECPC.
He was soon followed by the National Secretary of the CECPC, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe who came into the secretariat at about 12:07pm.
While Bello parked his official vehicle at the designated parking lot of the “National Chairman”, he also sat on the seat meant for the national chairman to chair the meeting.
Governor Bello went further after the meeting to inaugurate the party’s state chairmen who were recently elected at the last congresses.
A few hours after the inauguration, Governor Bello returned to the party headquarters with a team of A{PC governors, who he said came to give him support, as he received the report of the APC zoning committee, headed by Governor AbdulRazak of Kwara state
Speaking in an interview with journalists after receiving the report, he said; “As part of the activities leading up to our national convention, we have just received report from the zoning committee headed by the Kwara state Governor and the Deputy Senate President.
“We earlier on swore in the state party chairmen and at the same time, we deliberated on progress made so far towards the convention and I think I am satisfied with what we have seen so far”.
Asked what the position of Gov. Buni was at the moment in the CECPC, Gov. Bello said; “I am not aware of any position at the moment. I know he has travelled”.
On the security beef up at the secretariat, the governor 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 and they are to maintain law and order.
On the presence of governors, the Niger state governor noted; “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.”
When asked whether the president was aware of all that transpired within the party on Monday, the Niger governor said; “Of course”.
Present at the occasion included Governors from Imo, Lagos, Ogun, Kwara, Borno and Kogi
Meanwhile Governor Mai Mala Buni has maintained that he remains the National Chairman of the APC CECPC
A statement earlier issued by the CECPC secretary, senator John ApkanUdoedehe, had described the reported sack of Buni as “fake news”
“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”.
Also an aide to Buni, who dispelled the sack report stated, “Last week, Governor Mai Mala Buni travelled overseas on a private visit and appointed via a letter Governor Sani Bello to act in his absence.
“Gov. Buni usually hands over to Sen. Akpanudoedehe and on few occasions, to Sen. Ken Nnamani. Before he jetted out of the country, he wanted to hand over to either of the two but some vested interests prevailed on him to hand over to Gov. Bello, and which he did. It is surprising that some people are now spinning very dangerous narratives to the effect that Buni has been sacked and to the ridiculous extent of some characters saying a sole administrator has been named, implying that the CECPC has been disbanded. Nothing can be farther from the truth”, stated the source.
