The former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Mai Mala Buni has said that Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai lied about his alleged sack by President Muhammadu Buhari.
El-Rufai had in an interview with ChannelsTV, claimed that he had the authority of the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), governor Atiku Bagudu, to explain the action that led to the appointment of Niger state governor, Abubakar Sani-Bello as acting chairman of APC.
But Buni in the letter dated February 28th, exclusively obtained by THE NATION, claimed that he write to hand over the The position to his Niger state counterpart as the chairman of CECPC, because he was traveling for a medical trip to Dubai.
In the letter which was copied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all members of CECPC, Buni said he transmitted his functions to Niger state governor to continue with arrangements for the party’s national convention.
“This is to please inform you that I will be embarking on a medical trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from today, 28th February, 2022.
“In my absence, I hereby transmit the functions of my office as the National Chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) to you.
“This is to enable the committee conclude all arrangements leading to the National Convention slated for March 26th, 2022 and other duties that may be required of the office.
“I invite all members to cooperate with governor Abubakar Sani-Bello by extending to him all the support that I have enjoyed from you.
“Please do accept the assurances of my best regards.”
According to an aide to Buni, “Buni couldn’t have been removed by anybody or a group of governors because his letter was explicit. He followed due process and nominated Bello to act for him.
“Governor el-Rufai should tell Nigerians what actually transpired between President Muhammadu Buhari and some governors last Sunday. His narratives are faulty.
“Nigerians should ask Bello and CECPC members if such a letter came to them from Buni.”
