Buni’s removal poses great threat to our party, Buhari warns APC governors

President Muhammadu Buhari has written a letter to governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying removing Governor Mai Mala Buni as Chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) could lead to the implosion of the party.

Daily Trust had reported how some governors said Buhari ordered Buni’s removal.

• APC crisis: Buni’s camp bounces back as activities for convention begin
  Buni’s removal poses great threat to our party, Buhari warns governors

Governor Sani Bello of Niger had stepped into the leadership position of the party, but the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to recognise him.

Shortly after the development, Buni’s men regained control of the ruling party and the chairman who went abroad on medical vacation subsequently met with Buhari.

In a letter to the governors, Buhari asked the party to put its acts together and ensure the March 26 convention is successful.

“It has come to my attention that, because of recent events, the APC is faced with a multiplicity of court cases pending against it in various courts across the country. As a result of this, the party faces the possibility and prospect of the invalidation of all its activities and actions by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The party has demonstrated its inability to proceed with the issue of effecting change in the leadership of its Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Committee (CECC), in a way that is inclusive, legal and respectful of the time limit set and required for giving the INEC Sufficient notice of the time and venue for holding its convention.

“No doubt, these controversies and uncertainties, as enumerated above, pose a real threat to the party; and may lead to a possible nonrecognition of its activities, elections and the probable invalidation of all its other actions by INEC. This may ultimately even lead [to] its implosion and non-existence.

“First, the issue of the leadership of the Caretaker Extra Ordinary Convention Committee (CECC), should immediately return to status quo ante.

“Second, all members of the governors’ forum and their followers should desist from any behaviour or utterance that will likely lead to disunity in the ranks of the party, and ultimately jeopardise the transition to the convention.

“Third, the Mai Mala Buni-led CECC should, accordingly, be allowed to proceed with all necessary preparations to hold the convention as planned-unfailingly, on 26th March, 2022.”

The letter was copied to the Chairman of CECPC, the Acting Chairman of the CECPC, Governor Sani Bello; Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF); the Director General of the DSS as well as the Inspector-General of Police.