Turmoil at APC National Secretariat, Acting Chairman, Gov. Buni removed, Niger Gov. declares self as chair

As disorder and ruckus continued to reign at the National Secretariat of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja, the embattled Acting Chairman of the party’s Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Yobe Governor Mai Mala Buni may have been ousted ahead of the March 26 national convention.

In the place of the absentee Chairman, who is reported to be out of the country, Niger Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has come on stage and took over as the Acting Chair in a dramatic manner.

Bello, who had stormed the secretariat in company of some governors and members of the caretaker committee, had held a closed-door meeting with some top party members including a one-time Senate President, Ken Nnamani, Prof.Tahir Mamman, the committee’s National Secretary, Stella Okotete, the Youth Leader, Ismail Ahmed and Mr David Lyon, also in the committee.

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Persecondnews had reported that President Buhari had on March 6 traveled to London for a two-week medical check-up.

Bello reportedly also took charge of the oath-taking by the state chairmen of the party.

“The state chairmen took their oath of office today and we discussed progress made so far on the Convention and what needs to be done next so that we will achieve the March 26 date for the Convention,’’ the new chairman said.

Fielding questions from reporters after he performed his first duties at the secretariat, the governor said his status as acting chairman to preside over activities at the party national secretariat “received the blessings’’ of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“Acting chairman? I have been acting for a while since the Chairman traveled,’’ Bello said.

On the heavy presence of security men at the secretariat, the governor said it was `nothing to worry about’’, adding they only came to maintain law and order.

“Today we have a major event and all the chairmen came in. And they are to maintain law and order.

“Most of my colleagues are here to support me to receive the report. You know the zoning committee report is a very important one. And all the governors here are here to support me. Now, at zonal level, they can go and do their work.”