APC debunks reports of Buhari sacking Buni as CECPC chair, appointing Niger gov as successor

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied reports making the rounds that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the sack of Yobe Governor, Mai Mala Buni as chairman of the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the party.

A statement signed on Monday by the National Secretary of the CECPC, John Akpanudoedehe, titled ‘Fake news: No leadership change in APC CECPC,’ revealed that leadership changes are not announced by “sources” through name-dropping in the media.

The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to sponsored media reports on an imaginary leadership change in the All Progressives Congress Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee.

“The media report is fake news and should be disregarded.

“The APC is a progressive political party guided by rules. Leadership changes are not announced by ‘sources’ through name dropping in the media.

“We urge our teeming supporters, members and indeed the general public to remain calm and support the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led APC CECPC conduct a rancour-free and credible National Convention deserving of our great party.”

Earlier, some reports claimed that the Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, had taken over the APC as ‘sole administrator’ following the sack of Mai Mala Buni as chairman of the caretaker committee.

The reports also assert that the President approved Buni’s sack and Bello’s appointment shortly before leaving the country to London on Sunday afternoon.