The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai has revealed that it was President Muhammadu Buhari who instructed Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State to take over the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Africa Daily News, New York recalls that Governor Bello had earlier in the week declared himself the acting National Chairman of the APC.
He made the call to the APC leaders at a meeting where he addressed State chairmen of the party.
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Reacting on a Channels Television proogram which was monitored by Africa Daily News, New York on Wednesday, El-Rufa’i said, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State cannot return as the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the Party because Gov Bello had the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari and 19 governors.
According to him, Buhari ordered Buni’s removal as Chairman before he left the country for London.
‘Buni is gone, the Secretary is gone. Gov. Bello is in charge and he has the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari and 19 governors. Buni can only return as Governor of Yobe but never as chairman of our Party.
‘President Buhari ordered his removal and this has been implemented. Governor Bello has taken over and things are moving according to plan. Party will be restored, convention will take place as scheduled. 19 governors and their deputies are solidly behind this move.
‘Buni and his people got a court order to stop the convention but hid it,’ he said.
Meanwhile, Governor El-Rufai has ruled out vying for any post in the forthcoming general, however adding that only President Muhammadu Buhari can make him rescind the decision.
He said this in reaction to speculations that he will be the running mate to the former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi in next year’s poll.
AFRICA DAILY NEWS, NEW YORK
