Leave Buni as CECPC National Chairman, Buhari directs APC governors

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to allow Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni to continue as National Chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention (CECPC) of the party.

The president gave this order in a letter he wrote to the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu which was seen by WESTERN POST.

The president also warned the governors from any behaviour or utterance that will bring disunity to the party.

The president said the court cases the party is facing might affect the acceptance of its activities by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

He also said where there had been efforts to remove Buni as the party’s national chairman by a section of his governor colleagues, they have not been able to use legal means to achieve this.

He therefore ordered that the Yobe governor be left in office and allowed to conduct the March 26 National Convention of the party.

“As you are, no doubt aware, the All Progressives Congress, APC, is currently facing a litany of controversies and some level of uncertainties that may ultimately question its status and affect the status and feasibility of its proposed National Convention.

“In addition, it has come to my attention that, because of recent events, the APC is faced with a multiplicity of court cases pending against it in various courts across the country. As a result of this, the party faces the possibility and prospect of the invalidation of all its activities and actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Furthermore, the party has demonstrated its inability to proceed with the issue of effecting change in the leadership of its Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Committee (CECC), in a way that is inclusive, legal and respectful of the time limit set and required for giving the INEC sufficient notice of the time and venue for holding its convention.

“No doubt, these controversies and uncertainties, as enumerated above, pose a real threat to the party; and may lead to a possible non-recognition of its activities, elections and the probable invalidation of all its other actions by INEC. This may ultimately even lead its implosion and non-existence.

“There is, therefore, an urgent need for the party to, as much as possible, avoid all controversies, litigations and all other necessary distractions and quickly get its acts together.

“In view of the foregoing, therefore, I would like now to direct as follows:

a. First, the issue of the leadership of the Caretaker Extra Ordinary Convention Committee (CECC), should immediately return to status quo ante;

b. Second, all members of the Governors’ Forum and their followers should desist from any behaviour or utterance that will likely lead to disunity in the ranks of the party, and ultimately jeopardise the transition to the convention;

c. Third, the Mai Mala Buni-led CECC should, accordingly, be allowed to proceed with all necessary preparations to hold the convention as planned– unfailingly, on 26th March, 2022,” Buhari said in the letter.

WESTERN POST had earlier reported that Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai while appearing on a Channels TV programme, Politics Today last Tuesday, said Buhari had ordered that Buni be removed as CECPC national chairman and he replaced, while the Niger State Governor, Sani Bello, steps into office.

This was however countered by the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, who appeared on the same programme on Monday.

According to Uzodinma, the president would agree with anything that was illegal.