March 15, (THEWILL) – The National Secretary of the ruling All Progressive Congress’ Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Sen. John Akpanudoedehe, has dismissed media reports that there is leadership crisis in the party.
Speaking with newsmen at the party’s national secretariat on Tuesday in Abuja, Akpanudoedehe said the CECPC remained intact and functional as originally constituted.
He said the emphasis had become necessary to clarify issues in the party following events in the last week.
Akpanudoedehe reassured party members, stakeholders and Nigerians, that the APC was crisis-free, strong and remained united in giving the country the transformative leadership and good governance it promised.
He added that the CECPC since it was inaugurated by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) on June 25, 2020, had done its best to steer its affairs in line with its mandate.
The National Secretary explained that contrary to reports, Gov. Mai Mala Buni, Chairman of the CECPC took a long-delayed trip abroad on health grounds, adding that before leaving, Buni left written authorisation for other members of the CECPC to continue work in his absence, particularly the day to day management of the APC.
“In his absence, sundry activities earlier scheduled for action appeared to develop fresh urgency in order to satisfy the timetable for the 2023 general elections released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Thus galvanising someone within the CECPC to act in their best understanding of both the situation and the leadership dynamics in the committee”, he said, adding that all such actions were clearly identified at all times as happening in an acting or proxy capacity, and under the auspices of the substantive chairman.
“Contrary to widespread speculations that the chairman, secretary or some other officials of the CECPC have been removed from office or otherwise replaced.
“The CECPC is intact and functional as originally constituted”, he said, adding that delivering a seamlessly successful National Convention for the APC on March 26, was of priority to the committee”, he said.
Akpanudoedehe said the committee would continue to execute its assignments legally, pending the return of Buni, its chairman.
He said Buni would resume office on arrival with the full support of all members and other stakeholders of the APC.
Akpanudoedehe also lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its firm guidance in the entire circumstances, saying that the party had meanwhile engaged a team of senior lawyers to address a purported court order, halting the party’s planned national convention.
He urged the Judiciary to give the matter the needed and expedient attention in order to vacate the purported court order.
According to him, this is necessary to allow for the conduct of a transparent and rancour-free national convention deserving of the APC.
He restated the loyalty of the CECPC to the APC, thanked its national organs and leadership and President Muhammadu Buhari for the opportunity to serve.
Akpanudoedehe further reassured members of the party and Nigerians that the party was stronger than ever before and poised to extend her winning streak since 2015 into 2023 and beyond.
