National Secretary, APC Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), John Akpanudoedehe, has re-emphasised that there is no leadership crisis in the party, as being reported in the media.

Speaking with newsmen at the party’s national secretariat yesterday in Abuja, Akpanudoedehe added that the CECPC remained intact and functional, as originally constituted.
He said the emphasis had become necessary to clarify issues in the party following events in the last week.

The secretary reassured the party’s members and stakeholders and Nigerians generally, that the APC was crisis-free, strong and remained united in giving the country the transformative leadership and good governance it promised.

Akpanudoedehe added that the CECPC, since it was inaugurated by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) on June 25, 2020, had done its best to steer its affairs in line with its mandate.

He explained that contrary to reports, Governor Mai Mala Buni, the chairman of the CECPC, took a long-delayed trip abroad on health grounds.

He added that before leaving, Buni left written authorisation for other members of the CECPC to continue work in his absence, particularly the day-to-day management of the APC.

“In his absence, sundry activities earlier scheduled for action appeared to develop fresh urgency in order to satisfy the timetable for the 2023 general elections released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Thus galvanising someone within the CECPC to act in their best understanding of both the situation and the leadership dynamics in the committee,” he said.

The APC scribe added that all such actions were clearly identified at all times as happening in an acting or proxy capacity, and under the auspices of the substantive chairman.

“Contrary to widespread speculations that the chairman, secretary or some other officials of the CECPC have been removed from office, or otherwise replaced.

“The CECPC is intact and functional as originally constituted,” he said, adding that delivering a seamlessly successful national convention for the APC on March 26 was of priority to the committee.

He further added that the committee would continue to execute its assignments legally, pending the return of Buni, its chairman.

He said Buni would resume office on arrival with the full support of all members and other stakeholders of the APC.

Akpanudoedehe lauded INEC for its firm guidance in the entire circumstances, saying that the party had meanwhile engaged a team of senior lawyers to address a purported court order, halting the party’s planned national convention.

He urged the judiciary to give the matter the needed and expedient attention in order to vacate the purported court order.

According to him, this is necessary to allow for the conduct of a transparent and rancour-free national convention deserving of the APC.

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He restated the loyalty of the CECPC to the APC and thanked its national organs and leadership, as well as President Muhammadu Buhari for the opportunity to serve.

He reassured members of the party and Nigerians generally that the party was stronger than ever before and poised to extend her winning streak from 2015 into 2023 and beyond.