LINUS CHIBUIKE
GOVERNORS elected on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress have thrown their weights behind their counterpart, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, as the National Chairman of the APC Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee.
The governors reportedly resolved to declare their total support for the Buni-led Caretaker Committee after series of consultations and interpretations of the Supreme Court’s July 28, 2021 split decision on the Ondo Governorship Election petition.
The Governors said Buni was appointed in acting capacity, on a temporary basis, to temporarily carry out and fill in the seat of the National Chairman of the party, pending the election of a new National Chairman.
“This has settled conclusively that the APC National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and its composition is not in conflict with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and is consistent with provisions of the Constitution of the APC,” they said.
They made their position known in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, signed by their Chairman, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State.
The statement read in part, “We thank the Supreme Court for this landmark judgement, which among others have dealt conclusively with legality of the APC Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, its composition and all its decisions.
“The Supreme Court upheld the finding of the Court of Appeal that the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee ‘was set up to act on behalf of the National Executive Committee to temporarily carry out the function of the National Working Committee until new members were democratically elected.’
“The Supreme Court upheld further the ruling of the Court of Appeal that ‘it is evident that the said Governor Mai Mala Buni was appointed only in an acting capacity on a temporary basis to temporarily carry out and fill in the seat of the National Chairman of the party pending the elections of new members.’
“The holding of the Court of Appeal was not appealed against by the appellants i.e. Eyitayo Jegede S.A.N, Gubernatorial Candidate of the PDP in the last election in Ondo State and the Peoples Democratic Party. According to the Supreme Court ‘by not appealing against this holding, the parties herein accept it as correct, conclusive and binding upon them.’
“The judgment has also settled the legality of the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee. The court has correctly ruled that in line with section 13.3 of the APC Constitution, the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee was constituted by the National Executive Council of the APC to act as the National Working Committee.
“This ruling is consistent with the legal advice available to APC in creating the Committee and we commend the Party’s legal team for the proper and lawful guidance.
“Governor Mai Mala Buni was appointed in acting capacity, on a temporary basis, to temporarily carry out and fill in the seat of the National Chairman of the party pending the election of new National Chairman. This has settled conclusively that the APC National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee and its composition is not in conflict with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and is consistent with provisions of the Constitution of the APC.
“We congratulate all Nigerians, in particular APC members and supporters across the country. We celebrate this landmark judgment together with all APC leaders, especially President Muhammadu Buhari whose zeal to bequeath a democratic party built bottom up for the benefit of Nigerians.
“We congratulate our colleague, His Excellency Rotimi Akeredolu S.A.N. for the reaffirmation of his electoral victory, which has now ended all electoral disputes around the Ondo State 2020 Governorship elections.
“We equally extend our appreciations to the APC National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee under the able leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni for the commendable management of the affairs of the party, which has minimised distractions from the task of rebuilding the party. Under the Committee, the Party has continued to be strengthened and attract more Nigerians.
“Most recently, reports of July 31, 2021, Ward Congresses from all parts of the country has demonstrated once more the commitment of party leaders and members at all levels to the process of rebuilding the APC. The congresses were highly successful.
“We appeal to all members and supporters at all levels to remain resolute and continue to support all initiatives of the APC Caretaker Committee under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni.”
