Niger Governor Abubakar Sani- Bello has taken over the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
He acted as Acting National Chairman of the party’s Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC).
Sani-Bello told newsmen he has the blessing of President Mihamnadu Buhari to function in the capacity.
Those in attendance were women representative Stella Okotete; the Youth Leader Ismail Ahmed; Mr David Lyon; Prof. Tahir Mamman; Senator Ali Abba; Sen. Ken Nnamani; Sen. Yusuf Abubakar Yusuf and the caretaker committee Secretary, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe.
He later inaugurated and conducted the swearing-in of party-state chairmen elected last year but only given a certificate of returns by the CECPC.
The acting chairman also received the report of Governor Abdulraham Abdulrazak led an eight-man committee on zoning arrangements for adoption at the forthcoming national convention.
Addressing newsmen at the party’s Secretariat in Abuja shortly after presiding over the Caretaker Committee meeting, Sani- Bello confirmed his position as the acting chairman of the party’s CECPC.
He said he has been acting for a while in the absence of the chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State since he travelled.
The new acting chairman said: “There are some events that happened here today as part of activities going forward to our national convention. We just received the report of the zoning committee headed by the Governor of Kwara State and the Deputy Senate President.
“The States Chairmen took their oath of office today and we discussed progress made so far on Convention and what needs to be done next so that we will achieve the March 26 date for Convention.”
When asked in what capacity he presided over the meeting and carry out all the activities, Sani Bello answered: “I have been acting for a while since the Chairman travelled.”
He also said he will be coming to the party secretariat “almost every day” now to carry out his duties as the new helmsman of the party.
When asked about the status and position of Buni in the scheme of things in the caretaker committee, Sani- Bello simply said: “I am not aware of his position at this moment. I know he has travelled.”
But Akpanudoedehe on the sideline told newsmen that “Buni was on a medical trip abroad and when he returns, he will resume his duties.”
Buni jetted out last Wednesday to Germany for a medical check-up.
