APC: Fresh Crisis As INEC Rejects Bello, Insists On Buni

By Tosin Olatokunbo

A Fresh leadership crisis is brewing in the All Progressives Congress, APC following the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC not to accept the leadership change in the party.

On Monday, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state disclosed that he has taken over as the interim caretaker chairman of the ruling party from Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state, with the backing of 19 state governors and President Muhammadu Buhari.

Also, on Wednesday, Governor Nasir Elrufai of Kaduna state said the decision to remove Buni was backed by President Buhari.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state also stated on Thursday that those opposing  Governor Bello’s leadership are Yahoo, Yahoo boys, a popular anecdote used widely to describe fraudsters in the country, noting that the new leadership has full the backing of majority of APC governors.

But the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC has rejected the move on the basis that it contradicts the law. According to the electoral umpire, the APC did not follow the law which mandated political parties to give INECC 21-day notice before any leadership change could be effected.

INEC position came on the crest of plans by some leaders of party to meet with President Buhari in London on the controversy surrounding Governor Buni’s removal as the caretaker chairman.

The magazine learnt on Sunday that Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minster of Justice; CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele were to meet with the president who is on a medical trip to the UK, this week end to sort out the problem.

Governor Bello had after taking over as chairman placed INEC on a notice of the party’s readiness to hold its National Executive Council, NEC meeting on March 17.

But in a letter dated March 9 and addressed to the party INEC said it does not recognize Governor Bello as the chairman.

The electoral body said the letter addressed to it by APC should have been signed by Governor Buni who is currently in Dubai for medical treatment and John Akpanudoedehe, the CECPC chairman and national secretary, respectively.

The commission “draws your attention to the fact that the notice for the meeting was not signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the CECPC contrary to the provision of the Article 1.1.3 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Party Operations (2018.

“Furthermore, the APC is reminded of the provision in Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 which requires “at least 21 days” notice of any convention, congress, conference, or meeting convened for the purpose of “merger” and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any elective offices”, INEC said in a letter signed by Rose Oriaran-Anthony, its secretary