The All Progressives Congress yesterday cancelled its National Executive Committee meeting earlier slated for today.
This was announced in a statement by Secretary of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, John Akpanudoedehe.
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday directed that Governor Mai Mala Buni-led Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Committee of the APC be allowed to proceed with all necessary preparations to hold the convention as planned on 26th March, 2022.
Buhari, in a letter dated March 16 and addressed to Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu who is also the chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, said the multiplicity of cases currently rocking the APC had the prospect of invalidating the activities and actions of the party by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The letter was also copied to the chairman of CECC; the acting chairman, Niger State Governor Sani Bello; the Director-General of DSS and the Inspector-General of Police.
The two-page letter read: “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 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, I 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, all members of the Govemors’ 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 26t1 March, 2022.
“Thank you very much”.
Meanwhile, Buhari earlier yesterday received Buni in London.
Buni’s spokesman, Mamman Mohammed, in a statement, said the governor had a brief stopover in London after a medical trip to Dubai.
He said Buhari and Buni had a brief and fruitful discussion on measures to move the APC forward preparatory to the party’s convention and the 2023 general elections.
He said Buni was expected back in Nigeria today to resume work as the chairman APC Caretaker Committee.
