Governor Sani Bello of Niger State taking charge of the ruling party pending the March 26 convention as another fresh crisis looms.
In what took many by surprise, Bello stepped into the shoes of his Yobe counterpart, Governor Mai Mala Buni, who has been presiding over the affairs of the ruling party since the exit of Adams Oshiomhole two years ago.
Shortly after taking over, Bello has received a report of the party’s zoning committee ahead of the convention.
The zoning committee was constituted last week with Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as chairman.
In an interview with newsmen after the event, the Niger State governor said his role at the party’s national secretariat has President Muhammadu Buhari’s blessing.
He said he would be coming to the party’s national secretariat “almost everyday” to discharge his duties.
On why security was beefed up at the party’s national secretariat, he said, “Well, every time there is a major event, we beef up security.
“Today, we have a major event and all the chairmen came in, so they are to maintain law and order.
“Most of my colleagues are here to support me to receive the report. You know the zoning committee report is a very important one. And all the governors here are here to support me. Now, at the zonal level, they can go and do their work.”
In his remarks, Secretary of the APC Caretaker Committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, said Buni was on a medical trip.
The content of the report was not made public.
State governors present during the event held at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja, were; Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), among others.