APC Crisis: INEC Denies Receiving Buni’s Handover Letter To Bello

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied receiving any letter informing it of a leadership change in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Naija News had reported that Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State had claimed in a leaked letter he forwarded to the Governor of Niger State, Sani Bello that he has transferred power to him before his medical trip to Dubai.

But the acting national chairman of the APC’s Caretaker Committee denied receiving any letter from his Yobe State counterpart, saying that power was not transferred to him by Buni before travelling abroad.

On Wednesday, Bello wrote a letter to INEC, inviting the commission to the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting scheduled for next week Thursday.

In response to Bello’s letter, the commission said it was not aware of a leadership change in the APC and that it cannot approve the ruling party’s upcoming national convention.

Speaking with Daily Trust on Friday, INEC’s spokesman, Festus Okoye, said the commission did not receive any communication from the APC regarding the transfer of powers.

He stated that only the duo of Buni and the secretary of the caretaker committee, Sen John James Akpanudoedehe, could write to the commission on behalf of the party.

Okoye said the commission asked the APC to comply with the provisions of the constitution, the Electoral Act and the commission’s guidelines.

Okoye said, “We did not receive any formal letter from the National Chairman of APC transferring power or duties.

“All registered political parties are obligated to comply with the provisions of the constitution, the Electoral Act and the Regulations and Guidelines of the Commission.

“We asked the Party to note the issues raised in our letter for compliance.”