Following the release of a new list of National Convention subcommittees’ members, the spokesman for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC), Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed, has reaffirmed that the National Secretary of the CECPC, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, who signed off on the new list, stands sacked and did not have the authority to issue the statement on the list.
Also, a statement issued by CECPC Chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni, appeared to disown the embattled Akpanudoedehe. He gave his approval to all decisions taken in his absence by the CECPC and discountenanced the reconstituted subcommittees.
Akpanudoedehe, who made a grand entry to the APC secretariat amidst welcome from staff and others present onTuesday, earlier today (Thursday) released an altered list of members of the convention’s subcommittees but Ahmed says the final list of sub-committees remains as approved by the CECPC last week.
Ahmed insisted that the final list of Convention planning sub-committees signed by the Director of Organisation following the directive of the caretaker committee remains the final and authentic list.
Said Ahmed: “Seeing the unpopular actions of Senator Akpanudoedehe it is now obvious that he might be surreptitiously working to derail the party, cause internal friction capable of causing further crisis, but the committee against all his antics is determined to forge ahead and ensure the national convention holds as scheduled and approved devoid of any untoward actions.”
But other dissenting voices are rising in support of the embattled Secretary.
One of them is former APC deputy spokesman, Mr. Yekini Nabena, who said the CECPC members who sacked Akpanudoedehe did not have the power to do so.
Referring to a resolution of the CECPC that said that 10 of 12 members resolved to sack the secretary, Nabena said: “They don’t have the power to remove the Secretary. What they need is two-third of NEC – NEC members not appointed members. The governors are elected, so they are members of NEC, the president is a member of NEC. So, whatsoever Stella and co are doing, they don’t have the power because they failed to read their constitution.
“Ken Nnamani still has the PDP virus in him, that is why he jumped in back and front, that is the problem with Nnamani. And age is also catching up with him, so, I dont blame him. They promised to give him Deputy Chairman, that is why he has lost his integrity.
“The Caretaker committee members lack the power, In short, they are seen as borrowed members of NEC in the first place, they are not authentic members of NEC. Except those that are governors that they are in the Caretaker that are members of NEC. Whatsoever Stella, Ismaeel…they are just borrowed members of NEC
Another stakeholder, Prince Mustapha Audu, who claims to head the Progressives Youth Movement, ‘the largest youth support group of the All Progressives Congress’ said the purported sack can not stand, insisting they were in support of Mai Mala Buni and Akpanudoedehe.