The national secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), John Akpan Udoedehe, has stated that Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, remains the party’s Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) Chairman.
He also noted that against media reports, there is no crack in the ruling party.
The ruling party’s chieftain stated this on Tuesday at a press conference in the party headquarters in Abuja.
Udoedehe said it became necessary to clear the air on the reports flying on and off the media following last week’s takeover of the chairmanship seat by Niger Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.
He argued that the ruling party is crisis-free, strong and united in giving Nigeria the transformative leadership and good governance promised.
Udoedehe said the CECPC was appointed and has always done her best to steer the affairs of the APC in line with the mandate invested in her at inauguration by the National Executive Council (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress.
His statement read: “On the 28th day of February, 2022 the CECPC Chairman (Buni) 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.
“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).”
Udoedehe added: “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, Governor Mai Mala Buni, contrary to widespread speculations that the Chairman, Secretary or some other officials of the CECPC have been removed or replaced.
“The CECPC is intact and functional as originally constituted. Delivering a seamlessly successful National Convention for the APC on March 26, 2022 is top on priority for the CECPC.”
Udoedehe stressed that the party leadership will continue to execute such assignments as are legal pending the return of the Governor Buni, who is on his way back to the country soon.
He said Buni will definitely resume Office on arrival with the full support of all members and other stakeholders of the APC.
