APC crisis: INEC rejects Gov. Bello as Caretaker Chairman

The crisis of leadership currently rocking the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) heightens on Thursday as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rejected nomination of Niger State governor, Alhaji Sani Abubakar Bello as Chairman of Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party.

CAPITAL POST gathered that the letter of change of guard dated 9th March, 2022 which was sent to INEC was rejected.

In the said letter, Niger governor introduced himself as the Chairman of Caretaker Committee of the APC, While Prof. Mamman Tahir was introduced as Acting Secretary of the party.

It was recalled that Bello on Monday sworn into Office, State Chairmen of the party, including the Federal Capital Territory.

Bello also informed the INEC of the party’s plan to hold a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting for next week Thursday, 17th March, 2022.

In the Commission’s reply dated 10th March, 2022, stating that it was not aware of any change of guard in APC. The document remains strange as there was no time the Commission was invited to observe or monitor any meeting where the changes took place, hence, the letter was rejected.

“Section 82(2-3) of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) makes it mandatory for all registered political parties in Nigeria to involve INEC in any meeting, congress or convention where elections or decisions to nominate executives or governing bodies of the party shall be taken.

“The same section also provided that, in a case of replacement of any vacant position in the party, INEC must be fully involved too” the Source revealed.

“The Commission was not invited to any meeting or Congress where Mai Buni was removed as Chairman, and as such, could not deal with what was not legally constituted.”