Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Wednesday confirmed his Yobe State counterpart Mai Mala Buni has been ousted as chairman of the caretaker committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Niger State Governor Sani Bello had assumed the office of the caretaker chairman on Monday and presided over a meeting at the party’s secretariat without a formal removal of Buni. The incident raised fears of fresh crisis within the ruling party ahead of its national convention on March 26.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, El-Rufai said Bello has the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari and 19 APC governors.
He added that Buni, who is currently out of the country, can only return as governor of Yobe, but not as chairman of the ruling party.
“Buni is gone, the secretary is gone. Gov. Bello is in charge and he has the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari and 19 governors. Buni can only return as governor of Yobe but never as chairman of our party,” said El-Rufai.
“It was the president’s order to us as governors. He (Bello) has the president’s full backing and the backing of at least 19 of the APC governors.
“President Buhari ordered his removal and this has been implemented. Governor Bello has taken over and things are moving according to plan. Party will be restored, convention will take place as scheduled. 19 governors and their deputies are solidly behind this move. Buni and his people got a court order to stop the convention but hid it.”
