Despite Wednesday’s Supreme Court split judgement that upheld the election of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, as winner of the November 20, 2020 governorship poll, which indicated that the caretaker leadership of the party is in error, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has vowed to retain its Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) led by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State.
One of the party stalwarts who is a minister, a lawyer and SAN Festus Keyamo had advised the party to suspend its ward congresses over legal fireworks that may follow but the Buni led caretaker arrangement said there is no going back on APC congresses, despite court verdict
Also Stakeholders of the party, including the Secretary, Senator John Akpanudoedehe, Hillard Etta, Festus Keyamo (SAN) and President Muhammadu Buhari’s senior advisers, Babafemi Ojodu and Ita Enang, among others, have reacted to the court’s observation that Buni’s headship of the interim management committee of the party was in violation of Nigeria’s Constitution.
Former Presidential Candidate Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) high chief Peter Ameh said because of Supreme Court judgment on the Status of Mai Buni as National Chairman of APC, one could say that the judgment by extension has technically ruled APC out of Anambra November 6th, 2021 Guber election.
“It is a very simple logic to understand. He cannot hold position of the Party’s National Chairman as an elected Governor so even if the APC wins, the election could be nullified on the grounds relating to section 183 of the Constitution of Federal of Nigeria 1999 as amended because you can’t put something on nothing and expect it to stand.
“Everything done under his leadership is now under constitutional question and also subject to litigation and could be reversed in court based on today’s judgment of the supreme Court.”
“In fact I believe that the Supreme Court played a fast one on Ondo case for claiming that because he was not joined in the matter.
“Supreme court merely found a technical mechanism in the lacuna and exploited it as escape route to save ONDO STATE FOR APC. That case would have still been determined on merit without joining Buni.
My argument is centered on the point that he signed/approved all document and processes that will lead to placing the APC on the ballot for Anambra November 6th election.
“Section 183 is very clear and unambiguous. Any law that is inconsistent with the provision of the constitution of Nigeria 1999 as amended is voided automatically.
“The Provisions of the constitution shall have binding force on all authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Despite warnings, the APC, yesterday, said its July 31 ward congresses nationwide will hold as planned. The party, at a media briefing held in Abuja, told its members to ignore statements from some of the party leaders calling for the removal of the Buni-led caretaker committee.
