The Niger state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has said he did not receive any transfer of power letter from Governor Mai Mala Buni to handle the affairs of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Today (Thursday), aides of the embattled National Chairman of the APC claimed that the Yobe governor officially transmitted power to Governor Bello before travelling out of the country. They leaked the said letter which was shared by The Nation.
While the Niger state Governor has denied receipt of the said letter, one of his close allies said Buni’s letter was an afterthought, according to Vanguard.
“Buni initially transmitted powers to Akpanudoedehe, the secretary but on Monday when they saw how the pendulum was swinging and how Gov. Bello was wisely supported to take over the reins of the party, the Buni camp decided to hurriedly put together another letter and transmitting powers to Gov. Bello. So, it was an afterthought and that was why even though they backdated the letter, they couldn’t send it to us because we know when they typed it and why they did that”, said Bello’s ally.
When asked if Bellow had received any letter, he simply said no, but added that the “letter for National Convention has been sent”, to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.
Kaduna state Governor, Nasir el-Rufai had on Wednesday night said Gov. Buni was sacked and that he did not willingly transmit power to anyone.
However, in the letter dated February 28, Buni directed Governor Bello to act in his absence as the chairman of CECPC because he would be away for a medical trip to Dubai.
The letter was also copied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and all members of CECPC.
The letter reads: “This is to please inform you that I will be embarking on a medical trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from today, 28th February, 2022.
“In my absence, I hereby transmit the functions of my office as the National Chairman of the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) to you.
“This is to enable the committee conclude all arrangements leading to the National Convention slated for March 26th, 2022 and other duties that may be required of the office.
“I invite all members to cooperate with Governor Abubakar Sani Bello by extending to him all the support that I have enjoyed from you.
“Please do accept the assurances of my best regards.”
But when confronted after a meeting of the CECPC Thursday at the national secretariat of APC, governor Sani-Bello told newsmen that he has not seen the said letter.
In his words, “The letter? I haven’t seen it. Did you say on social media? I have not seen it.”
When asked to confirm whether the CECPC has appointed another national secretary, governor Bello said: “It has not been discussed. It wasn’t on the agenda in today meeting.
Probed further on whether another national secretary will be appointed, the Niger governor said: “Probably. But it has not been discussed yet.”
