APC crisis: Buni in leaked letter counters el-Rufai, says I handed over to Sani-Bello
The leadership crisis rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) continued Thursday with a leaked letter revealing that the embattled Yobe state Governor Mai Mala Buni actually transmitted a letter to his Niger state counterpart, Abubakar Sani-Bello as acting chair of the party’s Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).
This runs contrary to narratives in some quarters, including that by Kaduna state Governor Nasir el-Rufai that Buni was sacked on Buhari’s directive.
el-Rufai, had while featuring on Channels Television Wednesday said the embattled CECPC chair was given the boot on the order of President Muhammadu Buhari, consequent upon which 19 governors elected on the party’s platform, endorsed the action.
Governor el-Rufai had said: “The president held a meeting with us (APC governors) and gave us a clear directive and responsibilities and went into his waiting chopper at the airport. The president in his wisdom knew that we have the capacity.
“It is just that some of us decided to take the back seat and allow things to even get to this point because we believe that once we were elected, we should focus on governance, and leave the party administration to those who are better at it.
“But clearly, it got to a point that something was going to go wrong. The party was being placed at great risk, and we had to do something. I’m happy that the caretaker committee headed by Abubakar Sani Bello has issued a notice for an emergency National Executive Committee meeting.”
But in a leaked letter personally signed by Governor Buni, the embattled CECPC chair transmitted a letter to Bello in acting capacity.
The letter, dated February 28, 20022, reads: “This is to please inform you that I will be embarking on a medical trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from today, 28th February, 2022.
“In my absence, I hereby transmit the functions of my office as the National Chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) to you.
“This is to enable the committee conclude all arrangements leading to the National Convention slated for March 26th, 2022 and other duties that may be required of the office.
“I invite all members to cooperate with Governor Abubakar Sani Bello by extending to him all the support that I have enjoyed from you.
“Please do accept the assurances of my best regards.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was put in copy of Buni’s letter to Bello.
