BUA chairman rejects appointment into APC committee

Abdul Samad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group, has declined his appointment as a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s finance standing committee.

APC had released the names of its standing committees with Ajibola Basiru, the party’s National Secretary, chairing the establishment committee.

Bisi Akande, a former interim National Chairman of the party, heads the conflict and reconciliation committee, Felix Morka leads publicity while Uguru Ofoke and Emma Eneukwu oversee finance and intergovernmental committees, respectively.

Rabiu appeared in the finance committee alongside A. A Rano, Zach Adedeji, the chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Wale Edun, minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, among other lawmakers and prominent party members.

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Shortly after the list was released, the BUA group in a statement shared via X on Friday, said Rabiu was not consulted by the ruling party before his name was added to the list.

The company maintained that the businessman had “consistently adopted an apolitical stance over the years”.

“We acknowledge the recent publication in several Nige­rian national dailies dated December 1, 2023, regarding the purported appointment of our Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, to a standing commit­tee of a political party.

“This statement aims to clarify his position, as well as that of BUA Group, on this matter.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to the APC for considering our Chairman for such a distinguished role.

“This acknowledgment reflects the recognition of his commitment, and that of BUA Group, to economic prosperi­ty and the development of our dear nation, Nigeria.

“However, it is important to note that our Chairman, Rabiu and BUA Group have consistently adopted an apo­litical stance over the years.

“This approach is integral to the nature of our business and aligns with Mr. Rabiu’s focus on fostering economic growth through BUA Group’s initiatives and philanthropic efforts through ASR Africa.

“With respect to this, we wish to inform the publish­ers, our partners, stakehold­ers, and the general public that Mr. Rabiu has decided to graciously decline the nomi­nation/appointment.

“This decision is made in light of the fact that he was not previously consulted re­garding his inclusion in the list and his inability to com­mit time due to his demand­ing schedule.

“Our Chairman, Rabiu, is a firm believer in leveraging business acumen and phil­anthropic activities to drive development and positive so­cietal change, independent of political participation.

“His primary contribu­tions to Nigeria’s advance­ment will continue to be through strategic investments in the economy and philan­thropy, rather than through political affiliations or roles,” the statement read in part.

As of the time of filing this report, the ruling party had yet to react to Rabiu’s rejection of the committee’s membership.