Confusion pervaded the hierarchy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday as Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello removed Gov Mai Mala Buni and declared he has taken over the leadership of the party on acting capacity.The palace coup allegedly hatched by some APC Governors at the weekend filtered out as rumour until it became a reality.Gov Bello’s arrival at the party’s National Secretariat at about noon on Monday caused more than a steer as armed police officers in a show of force, escorted the governor and some of his aides into the Secretariat causing some workers and visitors to scamper to safety.
The governor who sat on seat usually reserved for the Chairman, immediately presided over a meeting of nine of the 12- member Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) who were on ground, before inaugurating the State Chairmen of the party.
He told journalists that the meeting was called to review preparation for the forthcoming convention of the party as well as receive the report of the party’s Zoning Committee headed by AbdulRazak AbdulRahman, and expressed satisfaction with the report.
Asked why the steer and the fate of Mai Mala Buni,the CECPC Chairman, Gov Bello said he learnt that he travelled, and that he (Sani) will be taking charge as Acting Chairman of the CECPC.
Independent Newspapers last night reported of a crack in the CECPC as some APC Governors reportedly called for meeting of NEC of the party .
When the story of a possible leadership change broke early Monday morning, Senator Akpanudedehe, APC Secretary characteristically dismissed it as a fake news.
A source at the party’s Secretariat also hinted that he was alleged to have rebuffed approach by the Niger State governor to arrange meeting of the APC Caretaker Committee.
Our source disclosed that the secretary vehemently told the CECPC now Acting Chairman that he was not answerable to him.
Asked for his explanation of the rapid development in the APC, Senator Akpanudedehe said the reality is that Gov Mai Mala Buni is away on medical leave, hence the need for somebody to step in as Chairman on Acting capacity. He added that on his return, Buni will return to complete his role. The fact though is that the party has kept tight lips over the fate of Mai Mala Buni, who from all indications has been sacked from his role as CECPC Boss.
Whether or not Akpanudedehe’s deposition was true raised questions when considered against the backdrop of APC Governors that thronged the party’s Secretariat to give support to the Niger State governor.
Among the Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that turned out in their numbers at the party’s National Secretariat in a rare show of solidarity with the new Acting Chairman
Among APC Governors that thronged the party’s headquarters in support of their colleague include Borno State governor, Umaru Zullum, Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), AbdulRazak AbdulRahman (Kwara), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun) and Yahaya Bello (Kogi). They were joined by Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy Chairman of APC Zoning who submitted the report of the committee.
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