APC Crisis: Buhari, Governors behind me as acting chairman – Says Niger Governor

… Buni still in charge – Akpanudoedehe

A day after All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, President Muhammadu Buhari embarked on a health vacation to United Kingdom, fresh crisis has erupted in the party with Governor Sani Bello of Niger State assuming the leadership of the party om acting capacity claiming the support of the president and the governors of the party.

With the development, Gov. Bello is expected to take charge of the ruling party pending the March 26 convention in place of his Yobe counterpart, Governor Mai Mala Buni, who has been presiding over the affairs of the ruling party since the exit of Adams Oshiomhole two years ago.

Shortly after taking over, Bello received a report of the party’s zoning committee ahead of the convention.

The zoning committee was constituted last week with Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as chairman.

In an interview with newsmen after the event, the Niger State governor said his role at the party’s national secretariat has President Muhammadu Buhari’s blessing.

He said he would be coming to the party’s national secretariat “almost everyday” to discharge his duties.

On why security was beefed up at the party’s national secretariat, he said, “Well, every time there is a major event, we beef up security.

“Today, we have a major event and all the chairmen came in, so 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 the zonal level, they can go and do their work.”

Secretary of the APC Caretaker Committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, in a chat with newsmen said Gov.Buni was on a medical trip and that he will resume his office when he returns from his vacation.

In an earlier statement issued, Sen. Akpanudoedehe said, “Our attention has been drawn to sponsored media reports on an imaginary leadership change in the APC- CECPC

“The media report is fake news and should be disregarded.

“The APC is a progressive political party guided by rules. Leadership changes are not announced by ‘sources’ through name dropping in the media.