Akpanudoedehe return to National Secretariat, says no crisis in APC

Following controversies that rocked the ruling All Progressives Congress last week, the National Secretary of the Caretaker extraordinary Convention planning Committee CECPC, John James Akpanudoedehe, has returned to the National Secretariat.

Akpanudoedehe who has been away from the secretariat was at the party secretariat on Tuesday, accompanied by some of his allies including the Kogi State party chairman, Abdulahi Bello

Recall that Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State in an interview with channels TV declared that the fate of Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State and the national secretary has been sealed and can’t return as the Chairman of CECPC neither the secretary will continue with his position in the party.

Elrufai said,“ 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.”

Akpanudoedehe while briefing journalists at the Party Secretariat today announced to Nigerians that the ruling party is resilience and stronger than ever and there is no trouble anywhere in the party.

The National Secretary immediately after the press briefing issued a press statement on the recent events and the State of leadership in the party, noted that the CECPC of the ruling party under the Chairmanship of Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, clarify the events of last week and reassure the membership and stakeholders of the Party that the Governing Party is crisis-free, strong and remains united in giving the country the transformative leadership and good governance.

According to the statement, the CECPC was appointed, and has always done her best, to steer the affairs of the APC in line with the mandate invested in her at inauguration by the National Executive Council, NEC, of the APC.

“On the 28th day of February, 2022 the CECPC Chairman took a long-delayed trip abroad on health grounds, leaving behind written authorisation for other members of the CECPC to continue work in his absence, particularly the day to day management of the APC.

“In his absence, sundry activities earlier scheduled for action appeared to develop fresh urgency in order to satisfy the Timetable for the 2023 General Elections released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, thus galvanising some within the CECPC to act in their best understanding of both the situation and the leadership dynamics in the Committee/Party.

“All such actions were clearly identified at all times as happening in an acting or proxy capacity, and under the auspices of the substantive Chairman, His Excellency, Governor Mai Mala Buni, contrary to widespread speculations that the Chairman, Secretary or some other officials of the CECPC have been removed from Office or otherwise replaced.

The secretary stressed that the CECPC is intact and functional as originally constituted.

He also assured members of the party of delivering a successful National Convention for the APC on March 26, 2022 which is the priority for the CECPC.

“We shall continue to execute such assignments as are legal pending the return of the Chairman who is on his way back to the country and shall resume Office on arrival with the full support of all members and other stakeholders.

Speaking further, Senator Akpanudoedehe said the party has engaged a team of senior lawyers to address a purported court order halting the planned of National Convention.

“We hereby call on the Judiciary to give the matter the needed and expedient attention in our bid to vacate the purported Court order and allow for the conduct of a transparent and rancour-free National Convention deserving of our great party, APC.”

Akpanudoedehe thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, and reassures all members and citizens that the Party is stronger than ever before and poised to extend her winning streak since 2015 into 2023 and beyond.