Femi Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation, has said the removal of Governor Mai Bala Buni of Yobe State as the caretaker Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) would be the biggest mistake of the party heading into the 2023 general elections.
Fani-Kayode, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said this in a series of posts on Twitter on Saturday while commenting on the internal leadership dilemma in the APC.
Following the minority ruling of the Supreme Court in the Ondo State governorship election appeal recently in which three justices declared Governor Buni’s appointment as illegal, there has been confusion in the APC regarding its national leadership.
In a meeting headed by Vice President Osinbajo, as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Attorney general of the federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami had declared that Buni’s led APC is in total sync with the party’s constitution and as such, it will not affect the fortunes of the party before or after the general polls.
However, there have been calls from some party wigs such as Festus Keyamo, Minister of State For Labour and Employment, who have called on the party to reconsider its stance.
Making his thoughts known on the development, Fani-Kayode, who said he “is speaking as a Nigerian and political observer”, expressed shock over calls for the removal of the Yobe State Governor as the APC caretaker Chairman.
According to him, it is shocking that anyone would be against a party leader who has facilitated the defection of numerous political heavyweights – including governors, senators and House of Representatives members – to the ruling party.
The former minister warned that the ruling APC would be making a big mistake if Governor Buni is removed as the party leader.
It amazes me that the Nat. Chairman of a pol. party that has attracted 3 Governors from the ranks of the opposition together with Senators, House of Rep members,BOT members, fmr. Ministers & other notables all in 1 year is being undermined by disgruntled elements in his party.1/ pic.twitter.com/AgKTA5zWQq
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) August 14, 2021
“It amazes me that the Nat. Chairman of a pol. party that has attracted 3 Governors from the ranks of the opposition together with Senators, House of Rep members, BOT members, fmr. Ministers & other notables all in 1 year is being undermined by disgruntled elements in his party. The biggest mistake APC can make is to get rid of Gov. Mala Mai Buni as its leader.
“I say this because he has done more for the credibility and strength of the ruling party than any National Chairman since its inception,” He said.
“Apart from being a formidable intellectual, a man of his word and an absolute gentleman, he is also a moderate, civilised, cerebral, fair-minded & focused individual for whom I have immense respect,” Fani-Kayode wrote.
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