MALA BUNI AND THE FUTURE OF APC
The governing All Progressives Congress (APC) was on the brink – and some analysts were euphorically writing off the party. Some even claimed the party might be in its last days. But a rescue – that appears like a miracle – came with dissolution of the National Working Committee (NCW) and the swearing in of a National Caretaker and Extra-ordinary Convention Committee under the leadership of Hon. Mai Mala Buni, who is also the executive governor of Yobe State. The caretaker committee under the leadership of Gov. Buni had regained the party and made it stronger and more appealing. As a politician in the real sense of the word, Gov. Buni was able to put the party back on track by first addressing all the grievances that, in the first place, brought it to its knees. As a political strategist Gov. Buni apart from resolving all the conflicts in the party, he also gained the confidence of all stakeholders who trusted his political skills, open mindedness, and crisis resolution tactics. The result delivered by Mai Buni was the reason why the party and its stakeholders gave him the nod to go on until he concluded his assignment.
The recent concerns about the legality of the leadership of Gov. Buni, following the Supreme Court ruling on Ondo election, has been clarified and the books show there is no any legal implications for the party, as he continued to take the party to a point of strength. The vote of confidence passed by the APC Progressives Governors’ Forum on Gov. Buni-lead national caretaker committee and its assignment is yet another proof that Buni is on the right path; legally and politically. It is also proof that APC is on the path to a better future.
In February, the party’ caretaker leadership conducted party membership revalidation and registration successfully across the country. The all-important exercise was smooth and shows how appealing the party is becoming to Nigerians. New members registered and those who are already members of the party renewed their membership. The caretaker committee under the leadership of Mai Buni did not start this project until after wider consultation took place – especially with all the party stakeholders. Every activity carried out by the caretaker committee towards restoring the party has the endorsement of all party stakeholders and was backed by the rules and regulations of the party.
His commitment to real reconciliation meant that before starting his current assignment Governor Buni went around Nigeria and met with all the party’s key stakeholders. During one of such visits in July 2020, one of the party’s stakeholders Chief Bisi Akande, while receiving the caretaker committee, at his country home, expressed confidence and support to the committee and the work it is doing to reconcile and address all outstanding party grievances.
Every step the Buni-led caretaker committee is taking is constitutional — including the membership registration and validation exercise, as well as the just concluded congresses. All actions of the caretaker committee were approved by the party’s highest decision-making body; the National Executive Council (NEC). Every step taken by the Governor Buni-led caretaker committee received support of all the party’s stakeholders.
So far, the caretaker committee under Buni is still taking the path of reconciliation. This path brings back into the party’s fold bigwigs who left the party ahead of 2015 general elections. Most of such big names left the party out of feeling of unfair treatment. Getting them back into the party is a concrete achievement. Above all, more governors have defected to APC to the extent that, some think, the main opposition party is facing an existential crisis. The party had also gained more political bigwigs from across Nigeria through defection. All these are signs that the party is rebuilding confidence and will never go back to its recent past of chaos.
• Sanusi Isa, Abuja
