Umahi, Ayade, Others Won’t Lose Sit For Defecting To APC – Buni Declares

Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni has expressed confidence that Governors and other political office holders who defected from other parties to the All Progressives Congress (APC) would not lose their seats for such action.

He made this known while speaking on Saturday during the National Convention of the APC where he charged them not to be afraid over the court order which has already ordered the removal of some of those affected from office.

Those whose seats are threatened for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) include Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, and many lawmakers who defected with them.

But speaking during the APC convention yesterday, Buni gave the assurance that the courts will rule in their favour as they didn’t contravene any law by defecting from the PDP to the APC.

“Let me reassure those of you whose defections are being challenged in the courts that you have nothing to fear because your defections did not contravene any law.

“You will, by the grace of God, emerge successful and victorious in the superior courts at the end of these litigations. Your wise decision to join the APC along with millions of your supporters shall never be in vain,” he said.

Buni praised the leadership qualities of President Muhammadu Buhari and thanked him for his fatherly role in resolving the conflict which threatened the party recently.

Going into the 2023 elections, he charged APC members to unite and work with the new NWC members to ensure victory for the party at the polls.

Buni said: “It is pertinent to point out that we are conscious of the anxiety among our members for the conduct of the convention to elect substantive national leaders. We are also aware of the rising interests among individuals and groups, especially those with the ambition to aspire in the 2023 general elections.

“This anxiety has, however, translated into some internal wrangling and squabbles recently recorded in the party. Such internal disputes are both normal and common, especially in a growing democracy like ours. The beauty of such disagreements is the ability and resilience to resolve them and emerge out of them stronger.

“l wish to commend Mr President for the excellent leadership exhibited in resolving the seeming contention with ease, and without adverse effects on the party and the convention.

“As we elect new national officials, l call on every member of the party to please support and cooperate with the leaders from wards to the national level. We should please bury our differences and collectively work for the interest and success of our party.

“This is very necessary for us to approach the 2023 general elections with a united front. We can only achieve much in unity, just like the broom, which is our party symbol.

“I am now more confident than ever, that with a population of over 41million registered members and still counting, the APC has the potential and capacity to remain Nigeria’s ruling party, and indeed, Africa’s largest political party.”