Buni Not Coming Back As APC Chairman – El-Rufai Declares

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has declared that the fate of Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has been sealed and can’t return as the Chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Naija News reports El-Rufai made the submission on Wednesday evening while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

He added that the same thing applies to the CECPC Secretary, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe.

It will be recalled that the leadership saga within the APC took a new dimension on Monday when Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello took over the CECPC and declared himself as the acting chairman.

Buni was said to be out of the country for medical reasons but Bello also told newsmen that he had the blessings and support of President Muhammadu Buhari to take over the party leadership.

It has since remained unclear if Buni will be returning to the seat or will be shown the exit door.

But on Wednesday, Governor El-Rufai submitted that Buni can only return as the Yobe State Governor and not as the APC Caretaker chairman.

He added that Bello has the backing of President Buhari and 19 governors.

The Kaduna State Governor said both Buni and Akpanudoedehe were relieved of their duties based on the directive of President Buhari which he issued shortly before his medical trip to London on Sunday.

In his words, “Buni is gone, the secretary is gone. Gov. Bello is in charge and he has the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari and 19 governors. Buni can only return as governor of Yobe but never as chairman of our party.

“President Buhari ordered his removal and this has been implemented. Governor Bello has taken over and things are moving according to plan. Party will be restored, convention will take place as scheduled. 19 governors and their deputies are solidly behind this move. Buni and his people got a court order to stop the convention but hid it.”