EXCLUSIVE: NEC, Convention: APC waits on AGF Malami

With the objections raised by the Independent National Electoral Commission over arrangements by the new APC leadership in respect of the March 17 National Executive Committee meeting and March 26 National Convention, the leadership crisis rocking the party may have returned full circle.

Chairman of the party’s National Caretaker Committee and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, claimed to have transferred power to Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, but the caretaker Secretary, Senator Akpan Udoedehe, has become recalcitrant, refusing to formally resign and quit the stage.

Yet, INEC claims in its objection letter that it only recognises Buni and Udoedehe, meaning even if the APC successfully holds its March 17 NEC meeting, the electoral body may not observe its convention, and that’s where the big issue lies.

Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, Minister of Education Adamu Adamu among others are at present in London to confer with President Muhammadu Buhari who is undergoing medical check-up in United Kingdom.

Also, the acting Chairman Caretaker Committee of the party, Gov. Sani Bello, left Abuja for London at the weekend to meet with Buhari.

WESTERN POST learnt that the party is now waiting for the outcome of the consultations with the president to know the way forward. A top source told the online newspaper that specifically, AGF Malami is being expected to not only relay the directive of President Buhari but also unfold his legal opinion.

“However, one of the options on the table is the full return of Buni as chairman to complete the process, particularly to conduct the national convention, since everything is expected to be concluded within the next two weeks.

“The conduct of the convention would mean the terminal date of the Buni caretaker leadership. So the party is waiting for Malami’s return,” he said.