Crisis Hits APC As Niger Governor Clashes With Mai Mala Buni

The proposed forthcoming national convention of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) keeps throwing up more intrigues as the event draws nearer.

New reports have claimed that some governors opposed to the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led leadership are plotting to summon a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party without the support of the caretaker committee.

Sources disclosed to The Nation that Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello, who is a member of the caretaker committee representing the North-Central, is spearheading this move.

It was gathered that some governors including Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi), Simon Lalong (Plateau), and Badaru Abubakar (Jigawa) and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) on Sunday night met at the Niger state’s liaison office in Abuja to map out their plans.

Governor Sani-Bello, sources have revealed, has fallen out with caretaker chairman Governor Mai Mala Buni and Secretary John Akpanudoedehe.

In what could be said to be a confirmation of the crisis rocking the ruling APC leadership, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Yekini Nabena, urged the Niger governor to stop his plan to call a NEC meeting without the authorisation of Mai Mala Buni, who is reportedly in dubai for medicals

Nabena said: “I am using this medium to call on our leaders across the states to caution Governor Sani Bello.

“The Presidency should also call him to order to immediately drop the plan to convene a NEC meeting without the knowledge of Governor Mai Mala Buni and the Secretary of the CECPC.

“The likes of Governor Bello are working against our party and to cause anarchy in the ruling APC.

“Governor Sani Bello is neither the Chairman nor Secretary of the National Caretaker Committee. So, where did he get the power to convey such a meeting?”

Responding to a text message enquiries The Nation, Governor Sani Bello dismissed reports of a crisis in the APC.

He however refused to comment on the allegation levelled against him.

Bello simply wrote: “No crises. I have nothing to say.”

Pressed to react to Nabena’s allegation, Sani Bello tersely replied: “There is a caretaker meeting tomorrow (today). Decisions will be taken at a meeting.”