It appears there is more trouble for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected a letter inviting it to an emergency meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party where Governor Abubakar Sani Bello’s chairmanship is expected to be ratified.
The electoral body in a letter dated March 9, 2022, signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran Anthony, said it won’t honour invitation to an emergency meeting of the APC’s NEC, on the grounds that the invitation letter it received was not signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Mai Mala Buni and Dr John Akpanudoedehe, respectively.
Earlier this week, Governor Bello declared himself as the acting Chairman of APC-CECPC. The development has since been generating controversies. On Thursday, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state suggested that Buni was ousted out of the office for allegedly lusting “for power through artificial barricades.”
However, several members of the party have rejected the purported sack of Buni, asserting that the Yobe state governor is only unavailable to perform his duties as he is out of the country for a medical check-up.
Meanwhile, INEC reacting to an invitation letter issued by APC-CECPC said it will not honour the invitation as it was contrary to the provision of Article 1.1.3 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Party Operations (2018).
Faulting the letter further, INEC reminded the signatories to the letter 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 office.”
INEC’s letter read, “Please refer to your letter Ref.APC/NHDQ/INEC/019/022/32, dated 8th March 2022.
“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 office.
“While hoping these issues are noted for compliance, please accept the assurance of the Commission’s warm regards.”
With the intrigues of the past few days, INEC’s letter has dealt a major blow to plans to replace Buni, who, according to a letter leaked on Thursday dated February 28, 2022, might have duly transferred power to Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State, to allow him to attend to his health.
