Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is unhappy over latest developments in the party which has seen him losing grip of the structures.
Governors elected on the party’s platform on Thursday took over control of the party following the dissolution of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) by the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The decision to dissolve the NWC which was badly factionalised was taken after the recommendation of President Muhammadu Buhari, who by virtue of his position is the leader of the party.
Despite opposition from the late Abiola Ajimobi-led NWC that the meeting is illegal, the president, vice president, governors and other party leaders attended the meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Even though Tinubu, it was gathered, opposed the convening of the NEC meeting, many of his loyalists, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano, Governor Gboyega Oyetola, among others, were in attendance.
It is also speculated that the latest development may have put paid to his presidential ambition in 2023, even though Tinubu has not confirmed whether he is running.
Speaking with Daily Independent, a credible source in the party, who attended the NEC meeting, said President Buhari and other leaders decided to convene the NEC meeting following the illegality being perpetrated by the Ajimobi-led exco represented by Hilliard Eta.
He also said the president and other concerned stakeholders who are worried about the multiple crises and litigations decided to wade in and restore normalcy before the situation gets out of hand.
“Aside the multiple crises and court cases, the president was apparently miffed by the illegal tactics being used by the Ajimobi-led exco. They knew Ajimobi was in coma with a very minimal chances of survival but Hilliard Eta who apparently is taking instructions from some quarters was issuing statements in his name.
“Many of us who love this party and know the real situation on ground had to inform the president of the need to urgently address this issue and that was why the NEC meeting was approved”.
Following the dissolution of the NWC, the NEC also appointed a caretaker committee headed by Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State. He was immediately sworn in by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
Other members of the Caretaker Committee and Extra-Ordinary Convention Planning Committee are Isiaka Oyebola (South-West), Ken Nnamani, a former Senate President (South East), Stella Okorete – Women rep; Governor Sani Bello of Niger State (North-Central) and Dr. James Lalu, physically challenged.
Others are Sen. Abubakar Yusuf, Senate rep; Hon. Akinyemi Olaide – Reps, David Leon (South South), Abba Ari (North West), Prof. Tahir Mamman (North East), Ismail Ahmed – Youth and Sen. Akpan Udoedehe as the secretary of the committee.
Party Restructuring Not Targeted At Tinubu, Says Buni
Meanwhile, Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni, has said the new shape and structure which the ruling targeted at undermining the influence of the national leadAPC has assumed was not er of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, all the resolutions that were adopted at the NEC meeting were aimed at instilling justice in the party, which was slightly derailing.
He said the caretaker committee, which he now chairs, would do everything possible to organise a national convention as enshrined in the constitution of the party.
“My plans for the party – as a former two-time national secretary of the party, I know the party very well. It’s all about doing justice to every member of the party because without justice there won’t be peace and it is all about team play.
“I am a team player. I have a capable team that can work with me. If you don’t manage crisis, obviously crisis will manage you.
“So, I won’t allow any crisis to fester henceforth and the process of convening this NEC – I want to tell you that it is a continuation of the last notice that was issued and we said we have adjourned and now it’s a continuation of the last adjourned NEC meeting.
“All the notices were issued accordingly, so in no way are we in any aberration,” he stated.
On allegations that it was done to reduce the influence of Tinubu, he stated: “You mention the name of one of our leaders, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a founding father of this party.
“We are all together to rescue this party from all this, nobody is happy with the situation under which the party is now operating because we are in court for various problems and crisis.
“So, this decision was taken by NEC to address some of these issues.
“So nobody is targeted and it is against nobody. Asiwaju is one of the leaders of this party and a founding father of the party.”
On the timeline for a national convention, he said the duration of office is for six months “within which we will do whatever we can as enshrined in our constitution and ensure that we strengthen the party and cap it up with the convention”.
Commenting on the crisis across the states, he said NEC was the highest organ of the party if not the convention and that by the constitution, NEC could act for the convention in between.
“Whatever happened during the last NWC, culminating in the Edo primaries have already been ratified by NEC. So, we are good to go, all litigation will be withdrawn also,” he emphasised.