A letter purportedly written by the governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, directing his Niger State counterpart to serve as acting chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, CECPC, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has emerged.DAILY NIGERIAN reports that Mr Buni was reportedly removed as the CECPC chairman by President Muhammadu Buhari over an alleged plan to scuttle the March 26 convention of the party.He was therefore replaced with Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State.
In an interview with Channels Television, Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, had also alleged that Mr Buni was sacked.
Mr El-Rufai insisted that when the governor comes back from the Dubai medical trip, he would come back as a governor, not as the APC interim chairman.But a letter, dated February 28, indicated that Mr Buni only handed over the leadership of the party to Mr Bello in acting capacity, pending his return from the medical trip.
It is, however, clear that the letter was written before the President’s directive for Mr Buni ouster.The letter reads: “This is to please inform you that I will be embarking on a medical trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from today, 28th February, 2022.
“In my absence, I hereby transmit the functions of my office as the National Chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) to you.
“This is to enable the committee conclude all arrangements leading to the National Convention slated for March 26th, 2022 and other duties that may be required of the office.“I invite all members to cooperate with Governor Abubakar Sani Bello by extending to him all the support that I have enjoyed from you.“Please do accept the assurances of my best regards.”