TUE 15 MARCH, 2022-theGBJournal| The Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) today described how a long-delayed trip abroad on health grounds, sparked widespread speculations that the Chairman Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Secretary or some other officials of the CECPC have been removed from Office or otherwise replaced.
In a statement signed by the Party’s National Secretary Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe, the ruling party detailed events that led to the Committee under the leadership of Mala Buni, to delegate its functions to other members of the CECPC to continue work in his absence, particularly the day to day management of the party.
The Party in the statement sought to douse fears on the events of past week which created frenzied talks of crisis within the Party and among its big wigs, and reassured the membership and stakeholders of the Party, as well as the Nigerians in general, that the Governing Party is crisis-free, strong and remains united in giving the country the transformative leadership and good governance which she promised them.
According to the statement, 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.
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.
The Party said 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.
APC noted that the CECPC is intact and functional as originally constituted, and that delivering a seamlessly successful National Convention for the APC on March 26, 2022 is top on priority for the CECPC.
‘’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.’’
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