Buni-led CECPC intact, will conduct national convention – APC

The Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressivse Congress (APC) says the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni remains its chairman.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the National Secretary of the CECPC, John Akpanudoedehe which was made available to our correspondent.

The statement said contrary to insinuations, Buni will conduct the National Convention of the party scheduled for March 26 as the national chairman.

The party further said all actions taken by the party while Buni was away on a medical trip were taken on his behalf, stating that neither the Yobe governor nor the national secretary have been removed from office.

“That on the 28th day of February, 2022, the CECPC chairman took a long-delayed trip abroad on health grounds, leaving behind written authorisation for other members of the CECPC to continue work in his absence, particularly the day to day management of the APC.

“That in his absence, sundry activities earlier scheduled for action appeared to develop fresh urgency in order to satisfy the timetable for the 2023 general elections released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), thus galvanizing some within the CECPC to act in their best understanding of both the situation and the leadership dynamics in the committee/party.

“That all such actions were clearly identified at all times as happening in an acting or proxy capacity, and under the auspices of the substantive Chairman, His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, contrary to widespread speculations that the chairman, secretary or some other officials of the CECPC have been removed from office or otherwise replaced.

“That the CECPC is intact and functional as originally constituted,” the statement said.

The statement further said the party was putting everything in place to remove all legal bottlenecks towards the conduct of its national convention on March 26.

“That delivering a seamlessly successful National Convention for the APC on March 26, 2022 is top on priority for the CECPC and we shall continue to execute such assignments as are legal pending the return of the chairman who is on his way back to the country and shall resume office on arrival with the full support of all members and other stakeholders.

“Meanwhile, the party has engaged a team of senior lawyers to address a purported court order halting the planned APC National Convention. We hereby call on the judiciary to give the matter the needed and expedient attention in our bid to vacate the purported Court order and allow for the conduct of a transparent and rancour-free National Convention deserving of our great party, APC,” the statement added.