By Adekola Afolabi

The Chairman, South-West Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Thursday hailed the Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello leadership as  the new acting Chairman Caretaker/Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (ECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying majority of the Governors are solidly behind him .

Governor Akeredolu, who regretted the happenings within the party in the last few months under Governor Mai Mala Buni’s leadership, the immediate past head of the CECPC, described them as embarrassing. He said Buni was supplanting the will of President Muhammadu Buhari.’

Governor Mai Mala Buni assumed the leadership position of the party since 2020 until he was ousted on Monday.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State had on Wednesday raised an alarm over “a grand conspiracy between the lawyers of Buni and some fifth columnists to postpone the party’s Convention through a court injunction.”

Governor Akeredolu in a statement he personally signed, said no black market judicial procurement could stop  the convention of the party, revealing that except for a few Governors who he referred to as ‘Yahoo, Yahoo’, most governors are resolute behind Bello to salvage the party.

He said, “with nostalgia, one can recall the moments of our struggle as compatriots from all walks of life enunciated and berthed Nigeria’s most ingeniously successful political network. Without being immodest, APC’s birth was a novel instance. The party’s philosophical beacon woven around its ideological leaning was alluring.

“Undoubtedly, the firm leadership, candour and honesty exemplified by Mr President who heads the administration that is the product of the APC deserve no less of support and complimentary responsibilities from all stakeholders.”

According to the statement ,  the  installation of the Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the APC was beyond a call to service, adding that it was a child of necessity moulded to one, instill discipline in leadership and engender coherence among stakeholders and more importantly, to deepen the Rule of Law in our party.

“Without necessarily dwelling on details that are known to critical stakeholders, the path taken lately by Governor Mai Mala Buni, the immediate past head of the CECPC and an indivisible few, is a unenviable trajectory undeserving of our dear party. It is a disdainful narrative.

“Nevertheless, the courage and determination as well as shrewd sincerity of purpose demonstrated by most of the APC Governors remain a delight. Significantly, the swift response and prompt action taken by Mr President have, in no small means, salvaged our great party from internal scavengers. We indeed, survived a civilian coup largely inspired by mischief and incurable lust for power through artificial barricades.

“Succinctly, aside feeling very delighted as a major stakeholder in the latest successful rescue mission, I express my confidence in the ability and capacity of Governor Sanni Bello(ABU LOLO) to take APC through.

“We, the Governors are for the party except for the few “Yahoo, Yahoo” Governors  (apologies to Salihu, former DG of the Progressive Governors’ Forum).

“None of the scanty number has the guts to carry out their imaginary threats as reported in sponsored stories. We dare them to leave the party. Their short-lived antics in armtwisting Governor Buni and probably, some pocketfilling elements within the corridors of power to supplant the President’s will through fake letters, endorsements as well as ‘Black Market’ injunction (procured since November, 2021) are despicable.

“Now that the clear motive aimed at frustrating our national convention has been botched, our dear party is on the track to greatness.

“But as you know, this is only for the conduct of the National Convention,” the statement said.