Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have started arriving in Abuja for a crucial meeting touching the state of party affairs.
It is understood that the APC governors are set to deliberate the effect of the recent Supreme Court judgment in the Ondo governorship election as it affects the continued stay in office of Yobe Governor, Mai Mala Buni as the Chairman of the Caretaker/National Convention Planning Committee of the party.
It will be recalled that the minority judgment of the apex court had questioned why a sitting governor in the person of Buni will preside over the process that produced Rotimi Akeredolu in Ondo State.
Amidst fears of the legal implication of this on future party activities under the Buni caretaker committee which also has some other governors on board, the APC governors are set to discuss the way forward.
The Governors are said to be scheming how to give their colleague a soft landing while still putting the party first.
Barring any last-minute changes, the meeting is set to hold in Abuja, the Federal Capital City (FCT) today (Thursday).
It was gathered that the governors who had arrived Abuja for the meeting as of Wednesday included Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Sani Bello (Niger), Ondo, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), and Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi).
As it stands, some members of the APC hierarchy including Festus Keyamo feel the Buni-led committee should stand down while others like the Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami and the party’s lead counsel in the Ondo governorship case, Niyi Akintola (SAN) are of the opinion that there is nothing to worry about.
Speaking on the issue, a high-ranking party source told The PUNCH, “There are as many views as there are lawyers in the cabinet and in the party. Just like the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN) argues that the party should halt further activities and effect changes in leadership, people like the Attorney General of the Federation and our party’s lead counsel in the Ondo case, Niyi Akintola (SAN), maintain the view that the party leadership has no reason to nurse any fear because no law has been breached.”
As at press time, efforts to get an official response to enquiries about the meeting from the Director-General of the Progressives Governors Forum, Dr. Salihu Lukman were not successful.
