The Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has rejected the ouster of Governor Mai Mals Buni as the party National Chairman of Caretaker /Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).
It said the party could only remove Buni, and other officers after a 21-day notice to it.
Therefore, INEC said it would not attend the emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of APC next week because as the party had yet to comply with relevant laws and regulations.
It said APC was wrong for notifying it of its NEC meeting without the signatures of Buni and the Secretary of CECPC, Sen. John James Akpanudoedohe.
INEC asked the party to follow due process if it wanted to effect change of leadership.
INEC was replying through its Secretary, Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony to a notice sent to it by the APC about its decision to hold a NEC meeting to ratify the choice of Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello as its new chairman.
INEC’s letter read: “RE: INVITATION TO THE EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (NEC). Please refer to your letter Ref. APC/NHDQ/INEC/019/022/32, dated 8” March 2022.
“The commission draws your attention to the fact that the notice for the meeting was not signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary of the CECPC contrary to the provision of the Article 1.1.3 of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Poiitical Party Operations (2018).
“ Furthermore, the APC is reminded of the provision in Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 which requires “at least 21 days’ notice of any convention, congress, conference, or meeting convened for the purpose of “merger” and electing members of its executive committees, other governing bodies or nominating candidates for any elective offices.”
“While hoping these issues are noted for compliance, please accept the assurance of the commission’s warm regards.”
