President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday met with Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state in London, United Kingdom, asking the embattled leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to return to status quo.
It was gathered that the President during the meeting threw his weight behind Buni to continue in his capacity as the Chairman of the party’s Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the APC.
The President’s support for Buni leadership runs contrary to week-long reports and speculations that he had backed Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State to lead the party.
The development comes hours to the Thursday’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party, where it is believed that Bello is likely to be pronounced as the Chairman of the CECPC.
In a letter signed by Buhari, the President ordered that status quo in the party’s leadership remains unchanged ahead of the upcoming March 26th National convention.
The president also ordered all members of the Progressive Governors Forum and their followers to desist from any behaviour or utterance that will likely lead to disunity among the rank and file of the party.
The letter reads in part: “As you are, no doubt aware, the All Progressives Congress, APC, is currently facing a litany of controversies and some level of uncertainties that may ultimately question its status and affect the status and feasibility of its proposed National Convention.
“In addition, 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).
“Furthermore, 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 non-recognition 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.
“There is, therefore, an urgent need for the party to, as much as possible, avoid all controversies, litigations and all other necessary distractions and quickly get its acts together.
“In view of the foregoing, therefore, | would like now to direct as follows: First, the issue of the leadership of the Caretaker Extra Ordinary Convention Committee (CECC), should immediately return to status quo ante; Second, ail members of the Governor’s 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 jeopardize the transition to the convention.”
