The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has fixed its second emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) for tomorrow, Tuesday, December 8, 2020.
The APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary Yekini Nabena said the meeting slated for 11am at the Council Chamber, State House, Abuja, will “review the Party’s position and set agenda for the Party’s next move.” This was contained in a formal invitation sent to APC NEC members by the National Secretary of the party’s Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe.
Daily Trust learnt that the extension of the caretaker committee would be a key agenda of the meeting. On June 25 this year, the NEC appointed Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State as National Chairman,Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee of the party.
Buni was appointed, following the recommendation of President Muhammadu Buhari that Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC be dissolved. The caretaker was appointed to oversee the affairs of the party for six months. Close to six months, the 13-member caretaker and convention planning committee has not fully commenced activities towards the conduct of National Convention expected to produce a new set of NWC members. However, it has secured the backing of President Buhari on the new membership registration after submitting the timetable to the President on November 10 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The seeming silence on National Convention has raised the suspicion of a plot by the caretaker committee to elongate its tenure. Buni had however dismissed the suspicion, saying the existence of his committee remained at the mercy of the party’s NEC which only has the power to end or elongate their tenure.
The caretaker chairman was not categorical on when a party convention is likely to hold, but said “it will happen soon.”
Meanwhile, a former National Vice Chairman (South South), Hilliard Eta, has initiated a suit challenging the dissolution of the Oshiomhole-led NWC, an action that is currently ruffling feather in the party.
He filed a suit at the Federal High Court Abuja, praying the court to sack the caretaker committee and declare the NEC meeting of June 25th presided over by President Buhari and decisions taken there a nullity.
Already, there has been a move to sanction him from the Cross-River State chapter of the party over this action.
Daily Trust learnt that major leaders in the party are currently mounting pressure on Eta to withdraw the suit against the termination of the NWC two years into its four-year tenure. It would be recalled that three names Eta, former Deputy National Secretary, Victor Giadom, and former Deputy National Chairman, South, late Senator Abiola Ajimobi, had emerged as APC acting National Chairman, after Oshiomhole was sacked. The development led to the intervention of NEC.
