The APC crisis worsens as it prepares for the extremely anticipated convention. Indications are emerging that the exercise may he put off once again.
The National Executive Council of the All Progressives Congress is to meet next week, on Tuesday to be precise. The powerful organ wants to discuss the proposed convention among other things.
But the Independent National Electoral Commission has indicated that it wouldn’t be part of the NEC meeting. It gave some reasons for its refusal to attend the meeting.
The caretaker committee currently under Mr. Sani Bello, Niger State governor, had written a letter to INEC to participate in the meeting. But the electoral umpire turned down the offer.
Mr. Bello, who took over in a controversial manner, signed the letter written to INEC on 9 March. But INEC insisted that it still recognizes Mr. Mai Mala Buni as the authentic head of the party for now.
The Independent National Electoral Commission argued that the letter ought to be signed by Buni and John Akpanudoedehe, the chairman and secretary respectively.
In its response to the national secretariat of the APC, the commission said it “draws your attention to the fact that the notice for the meeting was not signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the CECPC contrary to the provision of the Article 1.1.3 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Party Operations (2018).”
INEC didn’t stop at that alone. It reminded the All Progressives Congress the need to give the body 21 days notice ahead of any convention. Section 82(1) of the newly amended electoral act (2022) affirms the claim of INEC.
As at this moment, the APC under Abubakar Bello plans to hold the convention on 26 March while the APC crisis worsens. Mr. John Akpanudoedehe has resigned from his post as the Secretary.
That means the new secretary can’t sign any document whatsoever for now. Therefore, more obstacles are on the way of the All Progressives Congress.
Mr. Nasir El-Rufai had revealed that Mr. Buni was sacked. He said that the governors got the consent of the president, Muhammadu Buhari, and Buni was dismissed.
The same Buni is now needed desperately. The proposed convention may not hold on the long run. The party may need to shift the date once again. Whereas primary elections are underway.
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