The Forum of Governors of Nigeria’s governing party, the All Progressives Congress, APC have formally shown their support for their colleague, the Governor of Yobe State and Chairman of the APC National Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Mai Mala Buni.
Following a Supreme Court Judgement, the position of Governor Buni serving as a sitting Governor and as the APC Caretaker Chairman has been challenged.
In a press statement by the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, PGF and Kebbi state Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the Forum said the written judgement of the Supreme Court shows that the APC is not acting against the Nigerian Constitution.
The Forum said that the APC Caretaker Committee headed by the Yobe Governor was appointed in an acting capacity until the party elects substantive leaders.
“On Wednesday, July 28, 2021, the Supreme Court of Nigeria pronounced its split decision on the Appeal and Counter Appeals before it in the judgement of Ondo Gubernatorial Election petition, with the written judgement to be delivered afterwards. The Court released the written judgement on Wednesday, August 4, 2021.
“The Supreme Court upheld further the ruling of the Court of Appeal that “it is evident that the said Governor Mai Mala Buni was appointed only in an acting capacity on a temporary basis to temporarily carry out and fill in the seat of the National Chairman of the party pending the elections of new members.” The holding of the Court of Appeal was not appealed against by the appellants i.e. Eyitayo Jegede S.A.N, Gubernatorial Candidate of the PDP in the last election in Ondo state and the Peoples Democratic Party. According to the Supreme Court “by not appealing against this holding, the parties herein accept it as correct, conclusive and binding upon them.”
“The judgement has also settled the legality of the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee. The court has correctly ruled that in line with section 13.3 of the APC Constitution, the National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee was constituted by the National Executive Council of the APC to act as the National Working Committee. This ruling is consistent with the legal advice available to APC in creating the Committee and we commend the Party’s legal team for the proper and lawful guidance,” PGF said.
The Governors further commended Governor Buni for his efforts at requisite party and the success of the recently concluded ward Congresses across Nigeria.
“We equally extend our appreciations to the APC National Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee under the able leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni for the commendable management of the affairs of the party, which has minimise distractions from the task of rebuilding the party. Under the Committee, the Party has continued to be strengthened and attract more Nigerians.
“Most recently, reports of the July 31, 2021, Ward Congresses from all parts of the country has demonstrated once more the commitment of party leaders and members at all levels to the process of rebuilding the APC. The congresses were highly successful.
They appealed to all members and supporters at all levels, to remain resolute and continue to support all initiatives of the APC Caretaker Committee under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni.
