The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has explained why several armed security operatives were stationed at its national secretariat in Abuja on Monday.
Secretary to the APC National Caretaker Committee, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, said the move was due to security alerts received in the early hours of the day.
“We were privileged to receive a security report and as you are aware, we have the presence of police and all the security agencies here; it is a proactive measure to protect lives and property,” the APC chieftain told reporters at the party’s secretariat which was occupied by armed security operatives.
Akpanudoedehe faulted claims that the office of the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the party, Mai Mala Buni, was under threat and that the fear of a move to oust him (Buni) led to the closure of the secretariat.
Buni’s position has come under increased scrutiny since the Supreme Court upheld the election of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, and in the build-up to the APC congresses.
Even though the Supreme Court did not make a ruling about the legality of his position during its judgement on the election, some party members have argued that it is wrong for him to be a sitting governor and head the party’s National Caretaker Committee at the same time.
Those who want Buni out, argue that allowing him to carry on leading the committee put the party at risk of litigation and electoral losses.
Akpanudoedehe, however, insists that it is wrong to link the incident at the party’s national secretariat with issues surrounding Buni’s position as the leader of the committee.
“We have done congresses, and we are going to do congresses,” he said.
“The insinuation is by those who are against the party or the President; we want to repeat that the Supreme Court judgement confirmed the authority, the position, and the decision that was taken by the National Executive Council of the APC.
“The office of the national chairman is not under any threat, as far as we are concerned. So, don’t try to link or insinuate (it to what happened at the secretariat); it is a normal administrative measure to safeguard lives and property.”
