APC crisis: Pro, anti-Buni forces shift battle ground to London

As the leadership tussle of the All Progressives Congress (APC) persists, the pro-Yobe governor and those who are against him have taken their struggle to President Muhammadu Buhari in London.

As the leadership tussle of the All Progressives Congress (APC) persists, the pro-Yobe governor and those who are against him have taken their struggle to President Muhammadu Buhari in London.

The president embarked on a two-week medical trip to the UK on Sunday.

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A day after his departure, the crisis rocking the ruling party worsened as Governor Sani Bello of Niger State stepped into the office of Governor Mai Mala Buni, his Yobe counterpart.

Since Buni took control of the party after the removal of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole in 2020, Senator John Akpanudohedehe, secretary of the Caretake/Convention Planning Committee, has been presiding over APC affairs in his absence.

But Bello emergence came as a shock to many amid claims and counter claims that the Niger governor was in charge.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna had weighed into the conversation, saying Buni would never return as APC chairman.

Speaking on a television programme on Wednesday, El-Rufai said Buhari had ordered Buni’s removal and 19 governors were with Bello.

However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to acknowledge the leadership of Bello, worsening the party’s crisis in the buildup to its convention.

Sources told our correspondent that four ministers and some aides of the president who are in support of Buni travelled to London to convince the president to rescind his decision on the Yobe governor’s sack.

A source last night told our reporter that the ministers and other pro-Buni aides of the president departed the country on Thursday.

“They have gone to plead with the president to allow Buni conclude the assignment of the caretaker committee, which is to organise convention of the party,” he said.

It was also gathered that governors who met the president before his trip are preparing to go to London.

Buni was due to return to the country, on Wednesday, after a medical trip to Dubai, but he is still abroad.

It is unclear if the crisis rocking the ruling party made him extend his stay.